The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1869-03-23

a. least, show to the impartial mind thai
my sole ambition has been to restore the
union of the States, faithfully o execute
the ofiice of President aud to the best OF
my ability 10 preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution. cannot be censured
il my efforts have been impeded in the
interests OF party faction, aud IL policy
which was intended to resssure and cOn'
ciliate the people of both sections Of the
country was ussle' TIE OCCASION Of imam
ing, aud dividing still further those who
were recently in arms against each other,
vet rs individuals and citizens were sin.
cerely DESTROYS as shall ever believe, OF
burying all hostile feelings in the grave
OF the past. ...ar IA, frl.Iiasf e. 'n p
The bitter war was wagcd on the part
OF the Government 10 vindicatc the Con
sti.ution and save the Union, and II
have erred in trying to bring about
more speedy and lasting peace. 10 extin
guish heart burnings and enmities, and tC
prevent trouble in the South, which re
tarding material prosperity in that region
infected the whole country, am quite
content to rest nv case with the more de
bberate judgment OF the people, and, as
have already intimated, with tue distant
future. The war, all must remember, was
stupendous end deplorable mistake.
Neither side understood the other, and
had the simple fact and its conclusions
been kept in view. all that was needed was
accomplished by the acknowledgement OF
the terrible wrong and the expressed bit
ter feelings and earnest endeavor at atone
ment shown and felt in the prompt rs,id.
cation OF the constitutional amendment
by the Southern States at the close Of TIT
war. Not accepting this as o confessed
false step on the part Of those who inau
gurattd it, il was an error which nov
only time Gan cure, and which even a
this late date we should endeavor to pal
late. Experiencing, moreover, as Ill
have done, the frightful cost OF the arbi
trament Of the sword, lct 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, now pressing
upon us with such fearful weight, are re
moved viii our people forget tue lessons
of the war, and that, remembering then
as coming from whatever source, peace
between sections and States may he per
petual gi ra arse s.i i1I H
The history of late events in our coun
try, as well AS of the greatest govern
mcnts ofancicnt and modern times, teach
cs us that we have everything 10 fea'
from a departure from the letter and spir
it of the Constitution, and the undue as
cendaney Of men allowed to assume pow
ers in what are considered desperate
emergencies. Sylla, on becoming mas
ter Of Rome, at once adopted measures
to crush his enemies and TO consolidate
the power of his party. lie established
initiatory colonies throughout Italy; de
prived of the full Roman franchise the in
hahitants. of the Italian towns who ha(
opposed his usurpation; con'lscated thcl
lands and gave them TO his soldiers ant
conferred citizenship upon great mum
Der of slaves belonging to those who hac
prescribed him; thus creating ut Rome I
kind OF body guard for his protection
After having given Rome cvcrto slaugh
ter and tyranny beyond all example ovcr
those opposed to him and the legions-
his terrible instrument Of wrong--Syll;
could yet feel safe in laying down the en-
signs Of power SO dreadfully abused, ant
in mingling freely with the families ant
friends of his myriad victims The fea
which he had inspired continued after hi
voluntary abdication, and when in retire
ment his will was law to people who has
permitted themselves to be cnslaved
What but subtle knowledge and convic
ton that the Roman people had become
changed, discouraged and utterly broker
in spirit, could have induced this daring
assumption? What bat pubic inditIer
cnce to consequences so terrible rs (
leave Rome open to every calamity which
subsequently befell her, could have JUST
fed the conclusion of the dictator an,
tyrant il. his starting experiments f! w
| find that in the time which has sine,
elapsed, human nature and cxigcncics II
Governments have not greatly changed
Who a few years ago in contemplating
our future, could have supposed that, il
a brief period of bitter experience ever,
thing demanded In the name Of militar,
emergency or dictated by caprice coult
cause to be considered as mere matters
OF coursc--that CONSUMPTION. confisca
ton, loss of personal liberty, the subjcc
ton Of States to military rule and dis
| reimbursement, with the extension of tn,
right Of suffrage merely to accomplish
party ends, would receive the passive sub
mission If not acquiescence Of the pcopl
OF the Republicy it has been clearly
demonstrated by recent occurrences tina
cncroachment upon the Constitution car
not be prevented by the President, how
ever elevated or determined be may be
that unless the people interpose there !
no power under the Constitution to chccl
dominant majority OF two thirds Of tn
Congress of the United States. An appea
to the nation is attended with too mucl
delay to meet the emergency, correct il
time such evils as might follow Legislative
usurpation. There is danger that tn
same power which disregards the Consti
tuition will deprive them Of the right Il
change their rules except by revolution
We have already seen the jurisdiction
of the judiciary circumscribed when it VIZ
apprchendcd that tho courta would DC
eide against laws having for their sol
object the supremacy of party; while tn
veto power lodged in the Executive b,