Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-20

Minister (contained In an intercepted
dispatch OF the latter TO his government,
which reflected on the purity Of conduct
as well as fidelity Of the Secretary to his
superior The explanation was promised,
and Mr.. Randolph resigned on the spot
The country finally took the alarm and
came TO the defense Of the President
The General Assembly Of Maryland
passed unanimous resolution to the
following effect, that, Observing with
deep concern a series Of efforts, by indi-
rect insinuation or open invectivs, 10
deiach from the first Magistrate Of the
Union the we'll earned confidence Of his
fellow-citizens, they think II their duty
to declare, and they do hereby declare,
their undated reliance on the integrity,
Judgment and patriotism Of the Presi-
dent OF the United States" "
Meetings were held in every part OF
the Union 90 express the feeling in the
matters referred to in this communion
ton. The result was that the character
of the ilustrious Washington came out OF
the ordeal without stain upon 1t, and
the people, although they did not all es'
pouse his views, avowed their readiness
TO support him in the exercise of his con-
stitutional functions.
The difficulties to which we have
referred occurred early in our history,
and when the Government was as yet an
experiment, and it is difficult to perceive
how it could have been maintained and
preserved had the opponents OF the
policy of Washington's administration
succeeded in their attempts to destroy
the affections of the people for his person
and their confidence in his character.
The history Of these controversies may
be read with advantage in the present
turbulent times at Washington. The
people should, without distinction OF
party. initiate in this emergency the ex-
amples of the Fathers in maintaining
unimpaired the rights, prerogatives and
dignity of the Presidential office. They
should demand that the question in dis
pute between the Executive and Congress
be submitted to the Supreme Court for
decision, and that there be no deposition
of the President for political reasons,
especially as we are within few months
of the time when the people, of whom
Presidents, Senators and Representatives
are but the servants, will, at the ballot
box. pronounce their decision on the
grave questions at issue, and to which
all will cheerfully submit. This course is
demanded by wisdom and patriotism,
and will save us from dangers, which it
is TO be feared will follow any other
course. We may fatter ourselves that
we are people too enlightened and too
good to pass into the excesses which
have marked revolutions in every age.
But we should remember that in all ages
of the world, and in all countries, ex-
cited passion, in its extremes, is the
same the individual man, however en-
lghtened and upright he may be as an in
dividual, is merged in the mass to
which be belongs, Identifies himself
with the passion or idea of the hour, and
rushes on to destruction. Would to God
that men would learn something from
history. But it has been well observed
that we ever place the lantern in the
stern, and not at the PROV. 1t sheds its
light only on the tumultuous pillows
Of the past We there see the wreck
of nations that have committed them
selves to discord and anarchy,
tossed and heaving on the stormy
surge. Let the people of the
United States beware how, under
any circumstances, they allow politi-
cal party to depose the Chief Magistrate
of the Union, as is now proposed to be
done, lest, needless of the rocks ahead the
ship of state is dashed into fragments,
and all are engulphed in common ruin,
the republic lost, and the incspacity of
man for self-government established be.
yond controversy. HIsToRIoUs.