The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-08-12
WHAT ~ CoNsTITUTIoNAL-

We Americans are great sticklers lor wrlt-
ten Constitution, and wisely SO, we think,
though 1t IL possible we may be found wor-
shipping the shadow while we let so the sub.
stance. The Jews OF old were great sticklers
for all tho laws and eeremonials OF the
Mosaic ritual; still the great Master In His
day told them that in this tenscity and at
achment to forms they neglected the weight
Ter matters of the law, Righteousness, mercy
and truth. 1t is even possible that in our zeal
for the letter of the Constitution we may lose
sight Of the real principles Of liberty which
this instrument embodies.
II we ask a Democrat what Is constitutional
we shall very likely get the answer, that what
ever the Democratic party when in power may
do, is constitutional,wh While almost all the legis-
lation of the Republicans is unconstitutional.
There are no people who pirate more about
the Constitution when out Of office, or care
less for it when in, than the Democrats.
When the Kansas Nebraska bill was passed,
and the Missouri compromise was nunulled
and series of measures were adopted under
the administrations OF Pierce and Buchanan,
they saw nothing in all of these proeeedirra
or of Its spirit. The efforts TO make Kansas 4
slave State by force, were all right and con-
Btltutional; but the attempt to make this
young Territory free State by New England
emigration, was regarded by the Democracy
of those days as unconstitutional and void.
When the nation elected Mr.. Lincoln he
was, in the opinion OF many Democrats, an I'm,
constitutional President, and ought not there.
fore, to be allowed to take his seat. The YER,
men who then reviled and trampled the Con.
stitution in the mire Of the streets, and deacd
all of its provisions, now cry out the loudest
Of any that the Republicans, by their legisIs-
taa tNU.- H.. 49,
When the South made its preparations to
sccedc, and proceeded to steal-for that is the
word-our forts, Araenals, navy yards, and
minis, Mr.. Buchanan did not, under the ad.
vice of his Attorney General, Jere. Black, see
any power in the Constitution "to coerce q
State" When the Star of the West was sem
to carry provisions to the starving garrison
olSumter, she had orders II fred upon to re
turn. Thus, under the pretext set up by a
Democratic President, and endorsed by the
Democratic party, that there was no power II
the Constitution ito coerce a State" tho re
bellion grew into gigantic proportions, and re
Quired four years and vast expenditure O
blood md treasure to put It down. Such 1
Democracy, and such is the Democrat
opinion of the Constitution.
when Mt Lincoln called for 1000 troop
these same Democrats CONNIE need their sens,
less Jargon and their hue and cry OF uncoI
stitutional; and not to enumeratc each rept
tition we may safely say that this silly cry O
unconstitutional was resorted to In every IL
stance during the war when anything effec
i've was proposed to put down the rebellion
The northern peace Democrats and souther
rebels, united then as now, made many an al
peal to the people to arise In their might an
put down the Unconstitutional administratio
0f Abraham Lincoln.