The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-07-26

eXcesses.- thls Is the only solution tosthe
close contests and the yicissitudes Of these
parties.
This brief review discloses the fac,
that from the first there was continued
aud abiding conviction in the minds of
the people that all power was not sur
renderedor granted by the colonies, then
become Independent States to the Central
Government; and that there were i'm
portant and essential rights, if no. of ab-
solute soveignty, of ihalienable right and
authority reserved and retained by the
States. 1t follows in such state of
facts acknowledgment upon the reserved,
the original and retained rights of the
States, by the Central Government is
usurpation and in violation of the Cons,i-
tuition however accomplished, by force of
arms or force Of legislation. The high
est duty of the Constitution, its noblest
consistency with the history of its for.
nation the only guaranty which it can
give for peace now and security in the fu-
ture, that on the one hand we shall no,
sinkiuto the chaos Of anarchy, and on
the other that we shall no. be crushed in
the reeoil of Imperialism, is its own lofty
and magnanimous Standardization simply
Standardization. mot usurpdtion Of powers
which when expressly denied and expressly
retained. As to the precise limits Of
these there, we're fluctuations of,opipions,
while as to the general grounds Of right
and jurisdiction Of each, there was not
and could not be any ground for difference
OF opinion. The North. at one time
avowed the most open doctrines of sc.
cession and accompanied it by mcnaces
aud acts which tended to the disruption Of
the Union, but in the time Of these opin.
ions and in change Of interests the North
became the advocate of measures for
strengthening the Central Government,
and yet again denounced The Constitution
in tho beginning. of tho very struggle
which imrcrilcd the Union. So in The
South, but not in this extremity of dcuun.
citation. This is confidently avowod that
at all times there was powerful, inteli.
gent and respectable body of fellow citi-
zens who maintained with .earneslness and
zeal this separatcncss, this distinctive cx-
istence Of the state and these rights Of the
people under their respective State Gov
ernments, 1t was with equal positiveness
affirmed that there was a reflective and
numerous body Of men who affirmed that
the Constitution of the United States
creates a perpetual and distinctive form
of government which did not permit its
dissolution or destruction by the action Of
any One State or any number Of States
ucting'in their state capacities, yet that
the Constitution, by tho very compact
entered into between The States, was bound
with the equal solennity which obligated
it to preserve its nationality also to pre-.
serve the integrity, the individuality Of
the States and all the rights Of the citi.
zens Of the States under their several
State constitutions and laws. And it may,
it must with 4equal force and confidence
be affirmed that every act and purpose TO
destroy or injure this integrity and indi.
viduality. Of the States, to abrogate their
original powers as derived TO them from
their colonial conditions, made indcpend.
ent in them by the termination of the war
with Great Britain, and though limited,
yet distinctly reserved BY, the Cons,itu.
ton. is tendency-a step imperialism
And this tendency to Imperialism is in
creased precisely as the people are sub
jccted directly in these respects, to the
action ofthc Central government.
twas inRthis spirit and with these
similar views that Patrick Henry, tie
Father of American Liberties, and George
Mason, his great compeer, opposed the
adoption Of the Constitutions; that, the
States made the Ameudmcnts before
adop,ingit; that New York gave her
preliminary constructions; that Maryland
delayed SO long; and that il stru vgled
through long, severe ordeal of public
criticism yerging almost on its rejection
before it Vas accepted by the States; thal
Jefferson andMadison arrayed majority
Of the people Of the Union in favor of the
Resolutions Of 1893 and 1890. In the
progress of time tho interests Of the see.
tons became more separate, distinct and
aniagonisiic, in the passions and preju-
dicics which these antngonisms fostered
aud promoted 1t is not necessity Or
proper to refer to these. Let the wounds
which they occasioned close, and, if posi-
bic, let healthy circulation of the life
blood of the nation flow between sundercd
and broken limbs oftlie great body p5litic
and true national vitality be re.cstab.
lisLed. And may God add lis moral
healing to these blessed powers Of, the
Constitution, which in their proper and
normal action is the life of us all,-ir
their perversion and usurption is the in.
snue fury Of anarchy or will be the
deadenilg apathy Of Imperialism. 4
From the rapid review of tue past i,
may be seen, it was the fact, that the year
1860 opened With astruggle between two
great parties in the country in which ne
man was neutral, and in which the people
we're nearly equally divided upon princi.
pie, although tho acive partyin the soutl
were in the minority. The principle it