The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-03-08

confessed false step on the part of those who
| inaugurated 1t, WAS an error which now only
time eau cure, and which, even at this late
date, we should endeavor TO palate.
Experiencing, moreover, as all have Done !
the frightful cost Of the arbtrament OF tho
sword, let US in the future cling still cl,,JJ'
TO the constitution as our only saiF."J"s,
1t is to be hoped that not until the U S.a.GJ
now pressing upon US with 80 -, ha
weight are removed, will our people io'Eet 'uo
Iessons NJ the war. aud that remembering
tba,, from whatever sodrce, peace between
ooo,;ons o,d States may be perpetual. Inc
| I:I,-a - ,bo late events in our country, as
,rIII % or The greatest governments OF an
-. ana modern times, teach that we
- oro,rthing 10 fear from departure
C.'ro ,Bc letter and spirit Of the constItu
lion. aud the undue ascendancy Of men al
| loved to assume powers in what are consiu'
cred desperate emergencies.
Scylla, on becoming master OF Rome, AT
once adopted measures 70 crush his enc |
mics and consolidate the power OF his party !
he established military colonies throughout
| Italv deprived of the full Roman franchise
| the inhabitants of the Italian towns who
| had opposed his usurpauon, conhscated
their lands and gave them to his soldiers,
and conferred citizenship upon great
number Of slaves belonging 10 those who
had proscribed him, thus creating at Rome
kind of body guard for HE protection
! After having given Rome over to slaughter
and tyranny beyond all example over those
opposed to him to the legions, his terrible
instrument Of wrong, Scylla could yet feel
safe in LAYING down the ensigns Of power
40 dreadfully abused, and ia minghng freely
with the family and friends Of his myriad
victims, the fear which he mad inspired con
t,nued after his voluntary abdication, and
8 when in retirement his will WAS law to the
people who had permitted the nseIves to be
! ensiaved
8 What but a subtle knowledge and conyic
i ,;op that the Roman people had brcom'
g changed. discouraged and utterly broken II
D, shirt. could have induced. this daring ~
b. sumption? What but public indifference
at to consequences 50 terrible rs to leave Rom
Re omen 70 every calamity, which subsequent
bit befell her, could have justified the concI'
sions Of the dictator and tyraut in his star
81 ling experiment.
y, We find that in the time which has sine
nd elapsed, human nature and exlgencles
be governments have not greatly changed
rs, Who, few years ago. IN contemplating On
tn future, could have supposed that, IN bri
"" period 81 bittrr experience ever '""E -
en mandcd N the name OF inl'l'"g e'horseu'
'| or Dictated by caprice, "ou'n to'no "
consr'treA as mere matt =" O0N'av' a.
@ that consc' pnon' co",av"''''' 'g's w "
,"ar soma hoer'y' we seuJev'.o" u ''" ',
military THis ana a'S'rA,'n.5 3, "'''i .
extension OF Tue ''Rn' VI 'Nui SEo
I'm accomplish parry ''r7' "'-'' -
passive submission ECt aI4u'tage''I,
the people Hi lHe ,epND'1' ~ ""' w
'n,'' Clearly demonsFaleH ny recent ogcuI,e.
that encroachment5 upon the CVusu'G'
,h cannot be prevented "J inc IeS'1'T' "'
-, ever devoted OF determine Ut "',{ Nv
Ip;a that, unless the people 'n,'I pose '"'r' "
1 INV power under me constitution 70 c"C'H
t"s dominant majority OF t"o 'h'fn' Oh
Congress OF the Nh'eu H'H''s' ~" app
our to the nation - attended w''h 700 N,
T. 70 delay TO meet the emergency, WINE Il u
mort were left free to act the people ~oGld corr
leNl' in time such evils as might ioHow 'eJ
latye usurpauon. mere Is uah
'na' that the same power when dIsregHr1s
P'0' constitution VIII deprive theln OF Tue !.
Sue to change their rulers except Oy Ie'o'"c'
~" We have AIready seen the J"F'Su'c'o" VI
'raIo Judiciary CrCumscnbed when 1t was app
lreSt hended that the courts would decide agar
en-. laws having for their sole object the
non, nrpmacv of party, while the veto power, To-
hlch ed in the Executive by the constitution
ness, tbe interest and protection of the peoI
:, at md exercised by Washington and his s
cessor4, has been rendered uugstory by
or partisan majority Of two-thirds in ca