Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-28
Is Liberty to be Lost i'm Cenfraiisa-
sr t. ffouY fe5E

rnEA uOug tN
The following eloquent extracts from
a speech before the Tsmnany SCI
ciesy, of New York, by Richard o.
German. This year win tell whether
history win repeat itself in our case, or
whether there is yet virtue in the Ameri-
can people sufficient to save us from an
arcby or centralized despOtism:
The people have acquitted Andrew
johnson. They know that his only sin
is that be has been too true to the Cons
titution, and too faithful to the oath of
efice by which be swore to protect and
defend it The people know this. In
spite of esery effort TO confuse and hood
wink aud deceive them, they have got at
the truth. The impeachers of the Presi-
dent discover too late that they them
selves are on trial, held themselves to
answer for high crimes and misdemesn-
ors against the majesty of the people
and against the Constitution, which
is the peoples sovereign will. They fear
that verdict. They stand perplexed and
appalled,, for they hear the first whisper
OF that word of terror which will soon
swell into the cutlery Of indignant mil
lions-the word which pronounces, not
Andrew johnson, but the impeachers,
" guilty" aud consign them to the retire
ment where they may ponder on the OPP
portunities they have squandered and
the disasters they have caused. But II
they succeed in ousting Andrew john
son from ofice-and they have not yet
despaired Of doing it-how would it
stand with the republic then Why thus:
The Radical party now own Congress
Congress would then control the Su-
preme Court and the Executive and the
Treasury and the army and navy, and
would have the Constitution under Its
feet The coordinate branches of our
government, which the founders of the
republic, with jealous care, kept separate
and distinct, each being check on the
other-the Legislative, Executive and
Judicial-all three would be then abb
sorbed and concentrated into one branch
the Congress-and that is the mere
tool and servant OF faction, which to-
day lord il with arbitrary power over ten
Southern States, and would TO morrow
lord il likewise over the remaining States
Of the Union, if it were found neces-
sary for its interests so to do. 1t IS
yet only beginner aud scarce through
the primer of revelation. But IT learns
fast. and If II progresses in seven years {
time as il has done IN the seven years
gone by, it is not unfair to expect that
the worst follies and crimes of the ter
rorists and distractionists Of the Old
World would be out done by the reckless
faction and fanAticism which precedes
the suicide Of the republic OF the New
World The whole government OF the
United States is now in the hands OF
party, and that party is the party Of rev
olution. Ii may be that this revolution
cannot nov be stayed, but must run ITS
course. II may be that The people have
been epaibelie too long, and cannot
rouse themselves ia time. 1t may be
40. This year will tell. But it is worth
an effort on the part Of all patriotic
men. For in this year the republic will
be lost or saved. There are many men
amongst rs citizens-it is useless to con
eeal it-who have ceased to believe that
it can be saved, who think they see IN
the events Of the last seven years,
steady increasing tendency IN American
society towards Capitalization and impe-
rialism, which cannot now be arrested
who fear that the people will either be
unable TO sbeke of the lethargy under
which il has lain, or be again delivered,
and be welded by false issues, or By
such appeals TO its passions or Preju-
dices as have succeeded in unsteadying
il heretofore. They say it is the old
story. History repeats itself. Liberty
again Iost by the spathies or treachery,
or corruption Of those who had irjared
its splendOr, and never knew the real
value Of what they enjoyed.
" There il one moral Of al human tales.
It's but the same rehearsal OF the past;
FIRST freedom, and then glory, whtn tsat fails,
Wealth. vice, corruption. tyranny, a. last,
And history. with sll It's volumes vast, -.
Hath bat enc psee."
Shall !, be 50 with the United States ?
Shall this nation take It's place in history
the graveyard where lie the dead re-
publics1 You that are young may live
to answer whether this calamity cas- oc-
cur.