The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-07-18
RATIFYING CRIMES.

VI" o'o'0o 10 III iihpuucHb ana aV0Wed
violation of the Constitution of the Uni.
ted States. ~ know it is unconstitu-
tional' was Mr.. Stevens answer to OBJ.
jections urged, on that score, by Dem.
ocrats or Republicans. The latter es-
pecially moved his scorn, and he taunted
them as men "who had few fragments
OF the old Constitution sticking in
their kidneys, which disturbed their
rest at night" Now, let us remember
that this word Unconstitutional" which
the Radicals use so ghbly, as if it lent
peculiar grace to their measures, simply
means iWegiL The Constitution is the
supreme law of the land. Every man
who violates it commits a crime, and, if
Congressman, he adds to it perjury
tor, to every member is administered
this soiumn oath, 81 do solemnly swear
"(or afirm) that 1 will support the
Constitution of the United States"
The Radicals in this present Congress
added one more infamy' When they
were before the people, in 1866, they
solemnly protested that they had no in-
tention to establish negro suffrage either
at the South or the North. Ever since
their election they have been trying to
do both. Now false to their oaths, false to
their pledges, they come again before
the people. Not word of excuse or
denial can they utter. This is now
their only plea the thing is done, so
say no more about it Much of our
work can't be undone, so the people
may as well ratify and adopt it all ! To
make this clearer, let us suppose par
allel case. Every day, the dock OF our
criminal court is filed with violaters of
the law, for trial. Murder, horse steal
ing, petty larceny, may have its repre-.
entatives, who, like the true Radical
suffers no " fragment" Of law or NOR ali.
ty TO control his actions or disturb his
rest. 1t is the duty of the judge aud
jury to condemn these malefactors. The
vindication Of the law, the safety of so,
ciety demand their punishment-so
that others may be deferred in future,
from similar crimes. The laws, the
great rules of social order enacted by
the will of the people, must be upheld
against the assaults of individual wrong
doers. Now let US suppose the crimi-
nails to interrupt the Judge thus "Ho!
Judge ; the thing is done and can't be
amended The man I slew is dead !;
"the money 1 filched is spent the
horse stole is sold-you can't undo
'it, so say no more about it. Give us
"your hand !" No, cries human and di-
vine justic, it is to punish crimes, the
worse ifirremediable, that we are com
missioned of God and man. The plea is
disallowed.
The Radical malefactors are now for
trial, before :he people. The day is fix.
ed. Each honest citizen, Democrat and
Republican, will, by his vote, give his
verdict. Shall it oe to vindicate the
Constitution and the laws, now and for
all time, or to make them the safe Jest
and scoff of Thad. Stevens and his Rad
ical crew, and all who may share their
scorn of laws, and oaths, and pledges? ?
This is the question that is now before
the American people. 1t concerns their
interest, for it involves the very exist
enee of a constitutional government foun.
ded on law.
Many of the great leaders of the Re-
publican party call on it 10 yiudicate
itself from completely in the crimes done
in its name by the Radical clique who
have ruled the present Congress with a
roo of iron. General Blair, like Chief
Justice Chase and host of Others, rally
under the Democratic banner, the only
one on which is inscribed, "Civil liberty
and free constitutional government"
1t is in this great cause that all conserv.
ative men now stand, shoulder to
shoulder, against the advance of Radi.
cal military despotism- The doctrine
VIC have stated, which is, substantially,
the doctrine that General Blair pro.
claimed in his letter, lies at the very
foundation of social order. Crimes may
be pardoned on amendment and repent
ance, but not sanctioned and ratified
upon the insOlent plea that they are past
all remedy.
NEGROES IN CoNGREss.-Senator
SumInr hos utiftan .notbar lotfar 60 ,,,,-o