The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-12-30
i HE PILOT.
MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN.
: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 80, 1869.
The End Of the Constitution.

The End Of the Constitution.
The Waukesha Plamdeoler says that
ever since the radical party obtained pos
session Of power in TIE uation, il has been
the coustalt aud determined purpose Of Its
leaders to destroy the constitution, aud
erect upon It's ruins cons 1lidated gov ern
Hent i'll which supreme power should be
lodged in an unscrupulous radical Congress-
In consequence Of supposed attachment
to this instrument On the tart of the peo-
pie, this unholu aeslgu has been concealed
from the public under cover Of various
plausit'- pretexts. They did not dare to
avow their purpose openly, and march
boldly upward to its contamination. But
they began by nibbling away the constitu-
ton By parts. During the war, provision
after provision fell before the plea of pill
tary necessity Repeated acts were com,
mitted in deliberate violation of the plain
est clauses of the constitution Impunity
made them bolder, until every party ne
eessity was audaciously proclaimed to just
ify and excuse acts Of the most infamous
usurpation. And nov they have thrown
aside all disguise, and revealed in the
cearest possible manner, their revolutions
airy purpose. They no longer seek for ex,
cuses, or attempt to shield themselves be-
hind prctexts for the public good. There
ia bill now pending in congress, which
if passed, sweeps away at one blow the
last remains Of a constitutional govern
menC.
La order that our readers may not take
our word for the truth Of this declaration,
We print the bill. Here 1t is
A bill further to define I'D regulate the
Jurisdiction and powers Of the United
States.
Be 1t enacted By the Senate and House
of Representatives. If the Untted States Of
1Anaeylcu az Congress assembled: That no
court created by au act OF Congress, or
Judge thereof, shall have power IN any case
10 adiudge or hold any act or JOINT resou~
tlon vi Congress Invalid, III whole or In
D art, for any supposed want OF authority
In said constitution for the same, nor shall
the appellate jurisdiction OF the supreme
court TO the UuIted States be construed to
authorize that court, in ahy case now pend
irg or hereafter brought before 1t, 10 at
firm any order, judgment, or decree OF any
inferior of any United States court, or OF
any State court, which shall appear tC Rave
been tased upon any such adludglng or
holding but every order, Judgment, or
decree shall for that cause be reversed, va
Gated, and annulled !; nor any justice OF
said Supreme Court, In furtheraGce Of the
exercise OF such appellate jurisdiction,
make any order, or authorize or issue any
writ or process, or take any proceeding
ba I'd upon any such adjudging or hold
ing by him or by the said Supreme
Court.
Ii this does not lodge the supreme pow
eli of the nation in the hands of an uascru~
puIous congress, and convert cur con-titu
;ional government into an irresponsible oil
igarchy, then words do not mean what they
say.
By this act the whole power Of the Su
prone Court is annihi,alcd. The judicial
branch of the government is utterly de-
mclshed at a blow, and the legislative
branch is made the exclusive judge Of the
extent Of its own powers, without the
slightest regard for constitutional limi
tions The time was when the introduction
Of such a bill in congress would hav5 sound
ed the tocsin of alarm from one end Of the
land to the other, and aroused the nation
as one man. The time was when the ,au-
thor Of such 9asure would have been
denounced as worse traitor than Bcne
dict Arnold.
The people have become SO familiar with
infraction5 OF the constitution, that lndlt-
ference seemed to be the consequence, and
even this bold attempt to totally overthrow
the constitution AMI lodge supreme power
In a partisan caucus, scarcely eXcltes
a ripple upon the calm surface Of the pubs
lie mind.
Since the asccnlency Of the radical par
by, the Supreme Court has been the oniy
btanch of the government that has manl-
tested the least regard for the constitution,
aad when this, the last remaining barrier
to radical usurpaton is swept away, then
will be justified the mournfu apprehension
of James Madison which prompted him to
say, 'The legislative department is eUe'y
uhere extending the sphere Of its activity,
and drawing all power into its impetuous
vortex" And further he says Its against
the enterprisiug ambition Of this depart
ment that the people ought to indulge ali
their jealousy aud exaust all their
pre- cautions.
VIII the people even make up to real
izing sense OF The peril which mcnaces con
stitutional government? Or have they in
deed concluded to give it up without a
struggle?
A Disgraceful Appointment.
Among the ulguy bad ulcu aud neon
petents appointed to Office, 10y president
l. DO, lslt,- I,4 90 10.