The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-02-11
For the spirit.1
For the Spirit.]
GOrrOtlng the Supreme COurt--
A Deeper Depth of Infamy

G0rr0ilng the Supreme COurt--
/ A Deeper Depth of Hnfamy
Found.
The vigor and perseverance with which
the Radical Destructionists are assaulting
the Supreme Court indicates that in a
short time that grand citadel of civil
| rights will be broken down and destroyed.
1t is the last remaining barrier-except
1.-The retribution of an outraged people
to the complete overthrow Of the Con-
stitution and our boasted form of gov
, ernment.
| First the Destructionists introduced q
measure to make six of the eight judges
coacur before an unconstitutional law
Ishould te declared void. This was in
lefect enactiag that, they being defend-
Iants, it should require six judges to rem
der judgment against them, while three
might render a valid judgment for them
lin defiance of the other fSe-'that one
third Of the jury could render yesdlc'
in their favor bu: it should require three
fourths to render verdict for their ad-
versary. This was proposed after pol
Hing the jury and finding three who could
be induced to decide in their favor.
| But fearing that if, Chase should fail
lof the nomination for the Presidency he
might turn against them, they proposed
a more certain and more infamous meant
iof securing immunity from the decisions
of the Court. They introduced devil
7lish scheme to rob the Court of all juris
diction in their pet villainies.
!, They garrote the Supreme Court tha
they may hold diabolical saturnali;
ever the ruins of liberty, justice and the
Constitution. But this is not all. Reader
J before proceeding, employ your imagina
tion to conceive of baser infamy to ado
to those already recited. You fail, o
course; but here it is:
4 A report obtained currency that one o
the Supreme Judges had expressed, il
private, an opinion that the reconstruc
ton acts were unconstitutional and would
be so decided.
Instantly, anG amidst great excitemen
"A
and confusion. the fraction of a Congress,
ordered committee to take testimon,
preparatory to an impeachment of tn
judge who dared to entertain and ex
!, press such convictions. The gag rul
was enforced, all debate was strangled
: and the committee despatched to work u
o the case.
!. Blackness is added to the darkness o
this infamy by the fact that on the fol
q lowing day the Supreme Court was t
hear the arguments in one branch of tn
: very acts with which Congress is crush
$ ling de#n the Constitution.
This is the summary of the situation
5 This fraction Of Congress by excludin,
seventy members has a two thirds major
slity with which to override votoes. B.
Lone act of usurpation after another it ha
!, TDrUugHErne 11xccurrvc DrparJmeuJ cuaru
sled and helpless under its feet, leaving
to the President no authority but an i'm
r potent protest. But it fears the Judicia
~ Department. A majority of the Court
4 tits true, are Radicals; which was effect
ed by first increasing the number to adj
Radicals, then diminishing the numbe
: to exclude conservatives: NotHithstand
: ling this, the department must be over
; thrown, and Congress is now engaged i
taking it by storm.
One more year at the present rate an
the boasted constitutional government Q
!, the United States will be mere fran Il
mob of black, white and mulatto fanatic,
Whose passions and caprices will be tn
Ionly limit to their power, and Republic
and Constitutions will become the ridi
! cule and scorn Of tae pettiest princes i
Europe.
With the Executive crushed out, th
judiciary oyerthro wn, the Constitutio
:. l.Iscorned, a fraction of Congress will rul
= the nation, unbridled and unrestrainet
and a miserable caucus debating ever
. measure to that fraction, all that is left
= a boasted Republic, the freest and be-
le government on earth, of a Constitutio
: the glory of the greatest statesmen wh
" ever lived, is wretched caucus Of fana
les perpetuating their own supremacy b
:, tyranny and despotism.
= TOMMY HAWK.
Z 2 A \ L ~