The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1868-10-16

tnat IL was believed we could not
exist without it. Do we see that
there is a change in this? Is it re.
garded with the respect it was once?
Men discuss whether it is after all
best. The Government expressly
disregards it. A military commits
sion is regarded as more thorough
and efficient. .>
The writ of HABEAs CORPUS, a
kindred right, was once considered
a vital element Of Americanism. Is
it SO now? What is the frecdmen's s
bureau, the civil rights bill, but
measures to supcrcede that right
and call in semi military inquisi-
tion in its place?
Free speech and free press we're
once thought essential to q republi-
can government. Even now, in q
time Of peace, it is not understood
that we arc free only by courtesy of
the department commanders? 1t is
not enough that General Thomas is
a moderate and wise man.
'We all do wear his chains;
When that we put them on he needs but hold
His finger up"
| So, to be free from searches and
seizures, except by warrant and
proper process, was thought an in
alienable right. Is that regarded
now? Did Butler regard it? Is it
not thing Of the past? ..
At one time Government spies
and system Of espionage was right
ly regarded as the badge Of 'despot-
ism. A free people were too open
to need spying upon them. Spies
themselves prove that the Govern
ment is SC much at war with the
people as to fear them and to have
to watch them. ..:1s.. .H ..s 49,.
The right of appeal. legal trial,
were esteemed necessary to protec-
ton and law. Congress has emas-
culated this right in denying to the
people the right of appeal in the
most vital cases. .sa~ -t, ...a4.. F.
| The independence and equality of
the departments Of Government were
a boast Of Americans. A. Govern
ment of checks and balances; Gov
ernment of coordinate departments
these were the great boast Of Amer
leans. Now We see tho executive
department deprived Of all power.
The President Of the United States
has no power, or so little we were
surprised at an impeachment that
sought to remove what was no i'm
pediment to Congress. .n~gt.E
! We used to believe in taxation as
depending on representation. No
man not represented could be taxed
Indians We're exempt from taxation
on that account. Now . very large
portion of people living in ten States
are taxed and not represented. It is
not expected that they will be rep
resented soon or properly.
W. have recited these things to
show to the people what an extraor-
dinary revolution is going on. I'm
conciously we are losing q free gov
ernmcnt These ore not mere tenn
porary questions. They are vital;
but the people do not look upon
them as important. Other questions
override them. Graut's election
Involves us still further in these de-
parturss from the principles of free
dom. 4 FsH
| Now we hear very many say that
the continuance Of such state as
now exists, aud tho further loss of
all the safeguards Of freedom, will
produce a dissolution Of the Union.
This does not follow. We believe
that we would have a Union con-
solidated. A weaker government
in some respccts;in others stronger
one. We would be weaker int er-
nally. It would require continual
force to keep the Union together; but
this force would be a tremendous
implement for external aggression,
The gradual decay of free insti-
tutions, exemplified in the instances
We have noted, are the sure forcrun-
ners Of the growth Of an empire
Rome went through the rivalries of
Marius and SyAa, and Poarpey aud
Cesar, to reach an empire under
Augustus. But under Augustus the
forms Of a republic were preserved.
Iu the same way in the election Of
Grant we will have Congress. But
we will lose free speech and a free
press; trial by jury and the writ Of
HABEAs CORPUS; freedom from seaxch b
and the right Of lppeal. We have
taxation without representation. In
short, a revolution will have been
effected almost unconsciously to the
great mass of the people, by which
what was once called American in
stitutions will be all lost and lapsed
in supreme military despotism. -
Louisville Democrat.
Remember th4t the Tribune holds
that, under tie ! fourteenth amend-
ment, nsgrosi have the right 10 hold
Office in every State in the Unidn
If SO, then CONVERSE, they have
the right to vote. If the radicals
succeed this is their programme.
There will be no act of congress es-
tablishing negro suffrage in the
North because it will be held that
the fourteenth amendment has es-
tablished il already. T tafI ytIl
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