The New York herald., 1869-03-04


now only time can cure, and which, even at this
late date, we should endeavor to paiate experienc.
ing moreover as al have done, the ghtful cost OF
Let us in the future cling closer than ever to the
constitution as our only safeguard tits TO be hoped
that not until the burdens now pressing upon Us
with such fearful weight are removed win our peo-
pie forget the lessons Of the war; ana that, remem
bering them from whatever cause, peace between
sections and States may be perpetual. The history
or late events In our country well 0fthe greatest
governments Of ancient and modern times teaches
that we have everything TO fear from departure
from the letter and spirit Of the constitution and the
undue ascendency OF men allowed TO as
perate emergencies. Sylla, on becoming master
OF Rome, at once adopted measures to crush his
aad g the O his party
deprived OF the full Roman franchise the inhab
tants OF the Italian towns who had opposed his
his soldiers, and conferred citizenship upon great
number OF slaves belonging to those who had pro-
scrlbed him; thus creating at Rome kind Of body
Rome over to slaughter and tyrannized be-
end al example over those opposed n.,r to
ments OF wrong, sylla could yet feel safe
10 laying down the ensigns OF power so dreadfuuy
friends OF his myriad victims. The fear which he
had inspired continued after his voluntary abdca-
ton, and even IN retirement his win was law TO o
people who had permitted themselves to be ensaved.
What but subtle knowledge ana conviction that
the Roman people had become changed, discouraged
and utterly broken in spirit could have induced this
daring assumptionP what but public Indifference
TO consequences so terrible as to leave Rome open
TO every calamity, which subsequently befel her,
could have Justified the conclusions OF the dictator
and tyrant In his startling experiment? We md
that in the time which has since elapsed, however,
greatly changed. Who, few years ago, in contem-
plating our future, could have supposed that In
the G Of mar o
tated by caprice would come to be considered as
mere matters OF course9 That conscrpton, con-
iiscation loss OF personal liberty the subjecton OF
States to military rule and disiranchisement, with
the extension Of the right OF suffrage merely to
complish party ends would receive the passive CUB
mission, not acquieScence, OF the people OF the re-
publicY
1t has been clearly demonstrated by recent occurr
ences that encrOachmentS upon the constitution can
not be prevented by the President. however devoted
predetermined he may bethat unless the people inter-
check dominant majority OF two.thlrds
OF the Congress Of the United States. An
appeal to the nation Is attended with too
much delay to meet emergency; while, II left
free to act, the people would correct in time
such evils as might follow legislative usurpation.
CARDS the constitution win deprive them Of the right
TO change their rulers except by revolution. We have
already seen the Jurisdiction Of the judiciary circum-
scritced, when 1t was apprehended that the courts
would decide against laws having for their sole OBJ
ject the supremacy Of party, while the veto power
interest and protection Of the people, and exercised
by washington and his successors, has been rem
% Og M os maoT S Ss
constitution evidently c0nemplates that when bill
Ia returned with the Presidents objections II win be
been the practice under the present party rule It
has become evident that men who pass bill under
partisan Influences are not kes through patrctc
their own organizations by s0lemnly confessing 1t
under the oncial oath. Pride Of opinion, II nothing
passionate reconsideration Of bill disapproved by
the Executive. Much as venerate the constitution,
must be admitted that this condition Of affairs has
developed defect which, under the aggressive ten
dency OF the legislative department Of the govern
ment, may readily work Its overthrow. It may,
however, be remedied without disturbing the har.
mony Of the instrument The veto power is gene
rally exercised upon constitutional grounds and
yer Is 50 ppsa na the p
his signature, 1t ought to be Immediately GER
titled 70 the supreme Court Of the United States
declared by that tribunal it should then become
law. But II the decision Is otherwise 1t should fail
valid Ia cases in which the veto rests upon hasty
and inconsderate legislation, and in which no con-
stituronal question fs involved, would not change
manent evil can be incorporated into the fed
sral system. It ID obvious that without such
am Ss as por It
may De wholly subverted and overthrown by q
two.tnirds majority in Congress. It e not
the people may lose-shsl say .6sve lost i''-their
liberties BY an unchecked and uncomfortable ma
prived Of their rights how poweress they to
Let Us turn for moment 70 the history OF the ma
jorty In Congress which has acted in such utter dis
regard OF the constitution, while public attention
has has been carefully and constantly turned 70
and @ the the servants Of the S people III IN ''Gdsn Sish
places have boldly betrayed their trust, broken
snd the yer1 Of
tice and good government. When the rebellion was
being suppressed by the volunteered services Of pa
these men crept without question into place aud
power in the national councils After all danger had
tent people bowed their heads Co the s1 and re-
newed their allegiance to the government OF the
United States. then 1t was pretended patriots ap-
the thoaesnds Of lives and millions S % q treasure %
sacrificed In the suppression OF the rebel
lion: they have since persIsteniiy sought 70
the sections, to retard the restoration of
peace and harmony, and by every means to keep
passion the terrible wounds OF Q four years. war.
They have prevented the return OF peace and the re-
storation Of the Union; 10 every way rendered dela
the army was marsnalled treason rebuked and re-
belion crushed and made the liberties OF the people
constant attack. They have wrested from the Presi
dent his constitutional power OF supreme Command
S ns saS Of s IKE have %
ment by making subordinate officers indie.
pendent Of and able to dery their chief;
under the power ofthe bold, the defiant and treach-
erous Cabinet ofilcer they have robbed the Execu.
1--WE Ol the prerOghtlve OF pardon, rendered null and
void acts OF clemency granted to thousands OF per-
sons under the provisions OF the constitution and
committed gross usurpation by legislative attempts
TO exercise this power IN favor OF party adherents;
they have conspired TO change the system OF our
government by preerring charges against the Presi-
dent ID the form OF articles or impeachment and
contemplating before hearing trial that he should
be placed in arrest, held In durance, and when 1t
should become their pleasure to pronounce his SEN
tence, to be driven from place and power IN DIS
grace. They have In time OF peace increased
the national debt by reckless expenditure
OF the public moneys and thus added TO the burdens
which already weigh upon the people; they have
permitted the nation to suifer the evils OF deranged
currency. to the enhancement IN price OF all the
necessaries OF life; they have maintained large
standing army for the enforcement OF their measures
OF oppression; they have engaged In class legisa-
ton and built up and encouraged monopolies, that
the few might be enriched at the expense OF the
many; they have failed to act upon important
treaties thereby endangerlng our present peace
full relations with foreign Powers. Their course
OF usurpaton has not been limited 10 In
roads upon the Executive Department. by
unconstitutional and oppressive enactments the
people OF ten states OF the Union have
been reduced to condition more intolerable than