The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-01-27

We know Mr.. Summers opinion
that the country may safely trust to a
political rights bill, such as he of.
fers. His Judgement on any matter
'connected with this question is entitled
to the ~profoundest respect. All men
capable of Judging win agree, Of
course, in what Is trite and a mere
truism, that his opinion on the ques.
ton of constitutional law is entitled to
more consideration, and is far more
valuable, than that Of any other MEM
Der Of Congress, Or than any decision
we are likely. to get for the next
dozen years from the Supreme Bench
But while this is indisputably true,
still We must remember that constitu-
tional law in this country practically
is, not what lawyers decide, but what
the masses can be made to see and
accept. No one will deny that, rela-
tive to such abill as Mr.. Sumner of.
fers, there will inevitably be great
difference of opinion. Many will hold
that Congress has no authority to
pass such a bill. No argument, no
weight of authority, will dispel such
doubts. Hence, should we relax orr
demand for an amendment, the prob
ability is that Mr.. Summers bill would
fail to get the two-thirds needed to
carry it over the inevitable veto. of
course we know what its fate would
be ifit ever reached the hands of our
plant time-server, the Chief Justice
Fortunately, once enacted, it does not
seem possible that even his apostacy
and morbid ambition could so far mis-
lead him as to make him trample on
the precedents and attempt to rejudge
a decision of Congress on a political
issue. Though, after last July, it is
venturesome to say that any subservi-
ency is beyond his capacity of base
ness.
The difficulty, we believe, would be
that, once let the people relax in their
demands, and everything timid. every.
thing reactionary, everything disloyal
in Congress would rally to aggravate
constitutional scruples, and to pretend
doubts till even Mr.. Summers meas
ure would be lost. We deem it wis.
er, tn refore, to adhere to the present
policy, stalking all on the success OF
the amendment. Better be defeated
on that than on anything else. The
popular soldier may cry "Peacem but
every sensible person knows there will
be no peace till this race quarrel is
taken out of the political arena.
Chatham said, Thank. God America
has resisted" In the same mood we
say, Thank Heaven there can be no
prosperity, no profitable business, no
easy times for labor and business men
till the negro's rights are secured"
MI. Sumner taught US years ago
that nothing is settled till it is settled
''ight"-a noble and comforting max
m No cuckoo words can bring
peace. Only justice can be mother
IF that blessed child. We have no
extra trust in Mr.. Grants KIN Wedge
of the indispensable preliminaries to
peace. The rast has not taught us
to look to soldiers for such statesman
ship. Our American Shakespeare told
us, twonty years ago, of the soldier
"Peace will not brook to have
Her snowy pages turned rudely
BY his crimson -smutching hands"
The herd may forget this old wis.,
;lom. We still doubt the probability
Of gathering grapes from thorns.
Hence we desire most earnestly to
| press on Congress the instant import
nee of this measure. And if Gen
eral Greut's friends wish to show to
the country, either his wisdom or his
90 ID inclination we eyhort to
induce him to break this affected and,
Tor one in his place, childi--h ret c2nc' /,
by a voice urging this measure ; as,
Q lring him and them that it is itscii
the surest and greatest economy.
How thoroughly American Tin the
worst sense of the name, during our
worst times) is an obstinate silence
during two such eventful years as
those Just closed, broken at last only
to cry out. "Oh do save the money!"
Patrick Henry's patriot crying, BEEF!
Pay me for my beef !" in Washing
to fs starving camp, is the next best
Ening to it in history.
But nothing could give US ~sincerer
ielight than to havs the President
elelt throw himself so energetically
and successfully into this effort that
we should be obliged to believe in him
and take back all the doubts we have
expressed in regard to him.
wendell PHILLIPS.