The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-11


il. was an error which now only time can
cure, and which, even at this late date, we
should endeavor to palliate Experience
ing, moreover, as all have done, the fright
full cost of the arbitrament of 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
now pressing upon us with such fearful
weight are removed, will our people for
get the lessons of the war, and that, re-
them from whatever cause,
peace between sections and States may
be perpetual
The history oflate events in our country
as we'll as of the greatest governments of
ancient and modern times, teaches that we
have everything to fear from departure
from the letter and spirit of the Constltu-
ton, and the undue ascendency of men
allowed to assume powersin what are con-
sidered desperate emergencies. Sylla, on
becoming master of Rome, at once adopted
measures to crush hi3 enemies, and to con
solidate the power OF his party. He estab
lished military colonies throughout Italy
deprived of the full Roman franchise the;
inhabitants of the Italian towns who had
opposed his usurpation, confiscated their
conferred citizenship upon great number
of slaves belonging TO those who had pro-
scribed him, thus creating at Rome kind
of body guard for his protection. After
having given Rome over to slaughter, and
tyranniZed beyond all example over those
opposed to him. and the legiOns, his terri
bic instruments of wrong, Sylla could yet
feel safe in LAYING down the ensigns Of
1f,1lI oh in, mi,
ling freely with the families and friends of
his myriad victims The fear he had
inspired continued after his voluntary alb
dication, and on retirement left his law,
to people who had permitted themselves
to be enslaved. What but subtle knowl-
edge and conviction that the Roman peO-
pie had become changed, discouraged, and
utterly broken in spirit, could have IN
duced this daring assumption What but
public indifference to consequences SO ter
rible, as to leave Rome open to every ca
lamity, which subsequently visited her
could have justified the conclusions of the
dictator and tyrant in his startling expert
ments? We find that in the time which
has since elapsed, human nature and
exigencies in governments have not
greatly changed. Who, few years ago,
III contemplating our Cculu nave
supposed that in brief period of bitter
experience, everything demanded in the
name of military emergency, or dictated
by caprice, would have como to be con-
sidered as mere matters of course? That
CONSUMPTION, confiscation, loss of personal
liberty, the subsection of States to mill
tary rule and Acknowledgement, with the
extension of the right of suffrage merely
to accomplish party ends, would receive
the passive submission if not acquescence
of the people of the,Republic 1t has been
clearly demonstrated by recent occur
rences, that encroachments upon the Con
stitution cannot be prevented by the Presi-
dent, however devoted or determined he
may be; that unless the people interpose,
there is no power under the Constitution
to check dominant majority of two
thirds Of the Congress of tie United
States An appeal to the nation is at
tended with too much delay to meet the
emergency, while, if left free to act, the
people would correct in time, such evils
as might follow legislative usurpation
There is danger that the same power
which disregards the Constitution will de-
prive them of the right to change their
rulers, except by revolution. We have
already seen the jurisdiction of the Judi
ciary circumscribed, when it was appre-
hended that the courts would decide
against the laws having for their sole OBJ
Ject the supremacy OF party, while the
veto power lodged in the Executive, by
the Constitution, for the interest and pro-
lection of the people, and exercised by
Washington and bis successors, has been
rendered nugatory by partisan majority
of twO-thirds in each branch of the Ma
tional Legislature.
The Constitution evidently contem.
plated that when bill is returned with
the Presidents objection q. it viii be calmly
RECONSTRUCTED by Congress. Such, how.
ever, has not been the practice under the
present party rules. II has become eyi
dent that men who pass bills under par.
tiSan influence are not likely through patri
icmotives TO admit their error, and there
by weaken their own organizations, by
sOlemnly confessing it under official oath
Pride OF opinion, if nothing else, has pre-
vented calm and dispassionate reconsid
Grafton of bill disapproved by the Elk.
ecutive. Mach as l venerate the Consti
tuition, it must be admitted this condition
of affairs has developed a defect which,
under the aggressive tendency of the
Legislative Department of the Govern
ment, may readily work its overthrow. II
may, however, be remedied without dis.
turbing the harmony of the instrument
The veto power is generally exercised
upon constitutional grounds, and, when
ever 1t is so applied and the bill returned
with the Executives reasons for withhold
Ing his signature, it ought to be immedi
ately certified to the Supreme Court of the
United States for its decision If its CON
stltutionslty shall be declared by that
tribunal, 1t should then become law, but
if the decision is otherwise, it should fail
without power in Congress to re-enact
In cases where the veto rests upon hasty
and inconsiderate legislation, and in which
10 constitutional question is involved, !
would not change the fundamental law,
Tor In such cases no permanent evil can be
incorporated in the federal system. 1t is
obvious that without such amendment.
the Government as it existed under the
Constitution, prior to the rebellion, may
be wholly subverted and Overthrown by
two-thirds majority in Congress. 1t is
no: therefore difficult to see how
easily and rapidly the people may
lose, shall l not say have lost; their
liberties by an unchecked and un-
comfortable majority in the law-ma ing
power, and whenever deprived of their
rights, how powerless they are to regain
them. Let us turn for moment to a his
tory OF the majority in Congress, which has
acted in such utter disregard of the Consti-
tuition, while public attention has been
carefully and constantly turned to the
past and expiated sins of the South, and
the servants of the people in high places
have boldly outraged their trust, broken
their oaths Of obedience, and undermined
the very foundations of liberty, justice and
good gOYernment When the rebellion