The New York herald., 1869-06-10
NEW YORK HERALD THURSDAY JUNE TO- se9-TRPLE SHEET.

and constituting our union Of states, when 80 in-
pressed De Tocqueville and which Lord Brouehani
nocyi go whcS asy aae has eTer eiven birhn
originated with Mr. Jefferson. 1t caino from mo
same master mind whose master hand drew the De.
carat,on OF Independence in l7Ij and IN lIDS set
forth with so much clearness and power the true Al
not at present orthodox, principles OF the whole
structure OF our federal organization In the entire
series Of Kentuckys famous resolutions. before re.
ferred to, and which were SO thoroughly endorsed
minisration Of fhe Government in conformity with
these principles, or with but slight departure from
them IN "the momentous consequences" spoken OF by
DE Tocqueville distinguishing our unparaiieleu ca
and real greatness Is mainly attributable.
why SO much written upon the dead issues OF The
past, when questions OF so much magnitude OF
SO, the reply Is twofoid First to vIndicate the
truth OF history, which is itself nigh duty on the
part tSs Sns wS mas II his to $ q sas
Safes In this vindicat0n. not only the true cause,
the real .'causa caasans' Of the late war; but the
machinery for the last ten years has been abnormal
IN its action 1t must be brought bacK to the Jefer-
ings with the organic principles Of its structure be-
fore there can possibly be return or the days
Which marked ops Is
no otner hope for constitutional liberty on
this continent Judge Nicholas may dream
dreams' about another constitutional amendment
providing new mode OF electng the President; but
the remedy lies In no such device as that. IL lies
ministration, to original first principles. This is TO
be DONE not by secession, however rghtiul and en-
cient remedy That might be. That Is abandoned Nor
Is 1t to be done by force or violence OF any kind
except the force OF reason and the power OF TRUTH
1t Ii to DO done. at oil, at the ballot box. Free
institutions are more generally lost than established
or strengthened by resort to physical force. They
are eminentIy the achievement OF virtue, patriotism
and reason. That our institutions, and even noini-
nal form Of government is now in great danger the
prudent, sagac0us and wise everywhere virtually
admit. An able editorial IN your own paper, not
long Since put the pertinent and grave question,
"Whither are We drlftinglo To this question take
the OCCASION for One TO give you direct and posi-.
tive answer. We are drifting to consolidation and
empire, and will land there at no distant period
as certainly as the sun VIII SET TINS day,
awake to proper appreciation Of the danger and
themselves from the impending cat astr0phe by
arrestng the present tendency OF public affairs.
This they can properly do only at the ballot box.
All friends OF constitutional liberty, III every section
and State, must unite In this grand effort. They
must seriously consider, ana even reconsider many
questions to which they have given but slight atten-
with the principles of their government and provide
security for hs future by studying and correcting
the errors OF the past. ~ =. -. z.
This 9e 2sy 4 A0ps ss have stated for the con
ernment Depend upon 1t, there Is no difference be-
tween consolidation and empire No difference
between centrasm aud imperialism The end OF
either % vel Qs Al Of these Is the overthrow OF lib
efty and The Establishment of despotism. / give
which, however received or needed now, will be
rendered eternaly true by the developments OF the
future. Yours, most respectfully,
ALEXANDRA ii. STEPHENS.