Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-03-17

ltocannot, therefore, be charged
that my ambition has been of chat
ordinary or criminal kind which, to
the detsiment Of the peoples rights
and liberties, ever seeks to grasp more
and unwaIaanted powers, and TO ac-
complish Its purposes. panders, too
often, to popular prcjudices and party
aims. What, then, have been the as.
pirations which guided me 10 my Off
cial acts2 Those acts need not ut
this time an elaborate explanation.
They have been elsewhere compro-
hensively stated and fully discussed,
and become part of the nations his
tory By them ] am willing TO be
judged, knowing that, however i'm
portant, they at least show TO the
impartial mind that my sole ambition
has been 10 restore the Union of the
States, faithfully to execute the Office
OF President and TO the best of my
ability 10 preserve and protect and
defend the Constitution.
cannot be cehsured II my efforts
have been impeded in the interest Of
party faction, and ii a policy which
was intended oreassureand conciiate
the people of both sections Of the
country, was made the occasion Of
infaming and dividing still farther
those who were only recently ia arms
against each other, yet as individuals
and citizens. were sincerely desirous,
as shall ever believe, of burying all
hostile feeling in the grave ofthe past
The bitter war was waged on the part
Of the government 20 vindicate the
Constitution and save the Union, and
if have erred in tryingto bring about
more speedy and lasting peace, to
extinguish heart .burnings and enmi-
ties, and TO prevent troubles in the
South, which, retarding material pros
perily in that region, injuriously af-
iectcd the whole country, ] am quite
content TO rest my case with the more
deliberate Judgment of the people, and
as have already intimated, with the
distant future.
The war, all must remember, was a
stupendous and deplorable mistake.
Neither side understood the other,
and had this simple fact and its con-
clusions been kept in view, all that
was needed was accomplished by the
acknowledgement of the terrible wrong
and the expressed bitter feeling and
earnest endeavor at atonemcnt shown
and felt in the prompt ratification OF
Constitutional Amendments by the
Southern States at the close OF the
war. Not accepting war as con-
fcssed false step on the part of those
who inaugurated 1t, was an error
which now only time can cure, and
which even at this late GATE we should
endeavor TO palliate. Experiencing
moreover, as all have done, the fright.
ful cost of arbitrament by the sword,
let US in the future cling closer than
ever to the Constitution as our only
safeguard. 1t is TO be hoped that not
until the burdens row pressing upon
us with such fearful weight are re.
moved, will our people forget the les.
sons of war; and that, remembering
them, from whatever cause, peace
between section and State may be
perpetuated.
The history of late events in our
country, as well as OF the greatest
governments of ancient and modern
times, teaches that we have everything
TO fear from the departure from the
letter and spirit Of the Constitution,
and the undue ascendency of men
allowed to assume power in what arc
considered special emergencies. Syl.
la, on becoming master of Rome, at
once adopted measures TO crush bis
enemies and consolidate the power OF
bis party. He established military
colonies throughout, and deprived ol
full Roman franchise the inhabitants
OF Italian towns who had approved
his usurpation, oonfscated their lands
aud gave them TO his soldiers, and
conferred citizenship upon a great
number 0" slaves belonging 10 those
who bao prescribed him, thus crea
ting at Rome a kind of body guard
for his protection.
After having given Rome over "a
slaughter and tyranny beyond all
example, over those opposed 10 him
and bis legions, his terrible instrument
of wrong, Sylla could yet feel safe in
laying down the ensign of power, Sc
dreadfully abused, and in mingling
freely with the familiars and friend,
Of his myriad victims. The iearwhicb
he bad inspired continued after hi.
voluntary abdication and even il
retirement, his will was law TO a peo
plo who had permitted themselves to be
enslaved. What but a subtle knowl
edge and conviction that the Roman
people had become changed, discour
aged. aud utterly broken in spirit
could have induced this daring assump
tionl What but public indifference,
TO consequences so terrible as TO leave
Rome open to every calamity which
subsequently befcl her, could hav,
justified tho conclusions Of the dictator
and tyranti in his startling experiment.
We find that, in the time which has
since elapsed, human nature and oxi
gencies in government have not great
~ changed. Who, a few years past
in contemplating our future, coulC
have supposed that, in brief pcrioC
Of bitter experience, everything de
manded in the name of military cmer
goncy or dictated by caprice, wouls
come to be considered as mere natter
of courseg The conscrption, conds
cation, loss Of personal liberty, th'
sub lection of States TO military rull
and disfranchisement with the exten
sion of the right Of suffrage, merely L
accomplish party ends, would receiv,
the passive submission. if not acqui
escence Of the people Of the Republic
IL has been clearly demonstrated BY
recent occurrences that cncroachment
upon the Consultation cannot be pre-
vented by the President alone, how
u I 4 A