The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-03-19

whole country, | am quite content to
rest my ease with the more deliberate
Judgment of the people and, as have
already intimated, with the distant fu-
ture. The war, all must remember,
was stupendous and deplorable mis-
take. Neither side understood the 9th
er; and, had this simple fact and it's
conclusions been kept i'll view, all that
was needed was accomplished by the
acknowledgement Of the terrible wrong
and the expression of better feeling and
earnest endeavor at atonement shown
and felt.
In the prompt ratification of consti-
tutiOnal amendments by the Southern
States at the close Of the war, not ac-
cepung the war as confessed false step
on the part of those who inaugurated
it, was an error which now time only
can cure, and which even at this late
date Weshould endeayor to pailiate. Ex-
periencing, moreover, as all have done.
the frightful cost Of the arbilrament of
the sword, let us in the future cling
closer than ever TO the Constitution as
our only safeguard. 1t is to be hoped
that nor until the burdens now pressing
upon US with such fearful weight are
removed will our people ferget the les
sons OF the war, and that remembering
them, from whatever cause, peace be-
tween sectious and States may be per-
petuai.
The history Of late events in our
country, as well as of the greatest gov
ernments of ancient and modern times,
teaches that we have everything to
fear from a departure rom the letter
and spirit OF the Constitution, and the
undue ascendancy of men allowed to
assume power in what are considered
desperate emergencies. Sylla, on be-
coming master Of Rome, at once adopt
ed measures to crush his enemies and
to consolidate the power OF his party.
lie established military colonies
throughout Italy deprived of the tull
Roman franchise the inhabitants OF the
Italian towns who had opposed his
usurpation, cOnhscated their lands and
gave them 10 his soldiers ;and conferred
citizenship upon great number OF
slaves belonging TO those who had pro-
scribed him, thus creating at Rome
kind Of bOdy-guard for his protection.
After having given Rome over to
slaughter ana tyranniZed beyond all
example over those opposed 10 him and
the legi0ns, his terrible instrument OF
wrong, Sylia could yet feel safe III lay
ing down the ensigns OfpoWer so dread
fully abused, and III mingling freely
with the families and friends Of his
myriad victims. The fear which he
had inspired continued after his VOiun-
tary abdication, and even in retire
ment his will was law to a people who
had permitted themselves 70 be en-
sIayed. What but a subtle knowledge
and conviction that the Roman people
had become changed, discouraged, and
utterly broken in spirits could nave in
duced this daring assumption? What
but public indifference to consequences
so terrible us to leave Rome open 70 eY-
cry calamity which subsequently befel
her, could have justified the conc!u-
sions of the dictator and tyrant in his
startling experiment? We find that
in the time which has since elapsed hu
man nature and exigencies in govern
mentS have not greatly changed. Who,
a few years ago, in contemplating our
future, could have supposed that, in a
brief period of bitter experience, every
thing demanded in the name Of mill
tary emergency Or dictated by caprice
matters or course That cOnSCrIpuOn,
confscatiOn, loss Of personal liberty,
and the subjectiOn of States to military
rule and Acknowledgement, with the
extension Of the right Of suffrage mere
ly to accomplish party ends, would re-
ceive the passive submission, If not ac-
quiescence, of The people Of the repub-
lie 1t has been clearly demonstrated
by recent occurrences that encrUach
mentS upon the Constitution cannot be
prevented by the President, however
devoted or determined he may be.
That unless the people interpose there
is no power under the Constitution to
check a dominant majority of two
thirds Of the Congress Of the United
States. An appeal to the nation is at
tended with too much delay to meet
emergency; while, if left free to act,
the people would correct, in time, such
evils as might follow legislative usur-
patton.
There Is danger hat the same poaoer
a0bjch diSregUrdS tie Constitution 1CiH de-
prize them Of the right to change their
ruJerS, except By reUotiti0n. We have
already seen the jurisdiction Of the
judiciary circum5Cribed when it was
apprehended that the courts would de-
eide against laws having for their sole
object the supremacy Of party; While
the veto power lodged in the EXecu-
tive by the Constitution for the interest
and protection of the people, and eX-
ercised by Washington and his success
ors, has been rendered nugatOry by q
partisan m jOrity of tWo-thirds ia each
branch of The National Legislature.
The Constitution evidently contem-
plates that when a bill is returned
with the Presidents objections, It will
be calmly reconsidered by Congress.
Such, however, has not been the prac-
tice under the present party rule. 1t
has become evident that men who
passed a bill under partisan Influence
are not likely through patriotic mo-
lives to admit their error, and thereby
weaken their own organizations by
solemnly confessing it under the Of
fetal oath. Pride of opinion, if moth
ing else, has iatervened and prevented
q calm and dispassiOnate reconsider
alton Of a bill disapproVed be the EX-
ecutive. Much as / venerate the Con-
stitution, it must be admitted that
this condition Of affairs has developed
a defect which, under the aggressive
tendency of the Legislative depart
ment Of the government, may readily
work its overthrow. 1t may, howev-
er, be remedied without disturbing the
harmony of the instrument. The veto
power is generally exercised upon
constitutional grounds, and whenever
it is so applied, and the bill returned
with the Executives reasons for with
holding his signature, it ought to be
Immediately certified to the Supreme
Court of the United States for its de
cision. If its constitutionality shall be
declared by that tribunal, it should
then become law. But fl the decis-
ion is otherwise, it should fail, with
out power in Congress to re-enact and
make it valid. IN cases in which the
veto rests upon hasty and inc0nsiderate
legislation, and in which no constitu-
., 4 Id