The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-03-05

and that TO question or oppose its
authority or acts was an act of |
hostility, and akin to treason. Up |
on this was based the claim that |
must be suppressed, and |
TO that end the military power Of
the Nation was misemployod and
abused. Men who honestly believ-
ed that tho political policy OF the
Standardization was unwise, subvcr~
sive Of the Constitution, and detri-
mental to tho public welfare, were
seized at their homes. Mt their pla-
ces OF business, and npon the high
ways, and carried of 10 prisons, to
trials by tribunals unknown to our
people, and to cruel punisbmeEts.
BY these bold proceedings lt.w was
intended that the people should be
stricken with fear; that the pop
ular voice should bo hushed into
silence, and that the American doc
trine; that The conduct Of govern
mcnt must be regulated by the will
OF the people, as expressed in their
constitutions and laws, should DO
subvcrted.
/. was intended to paralyzo mon,
aud then the ambitious and vcral
might with impunlty, prey upon
tho rights and substance Of the
people. 1t mas cost u5 some Of the
ancient guards and securities Of
liberty, and great sums Of money.
lt has m0do s5mo men rich, but has
greatly augmcntcd the public debt.
The good people who loved the
Unlou and prayed for the success
OF the National arms that it might
be maiuta,Ecd, are denied tho con.
collation. that thc cause Of the Union
was strengthened and prompted by
this sacrifice of popular rights and
National treasure. All thoughtful
men know that, during tho wnolo
war, every act OF arbitrary power,
in disregard of tho Constitution, in
violation oflaw, in derogaLion OF
popular rights, o. m crushing pri-
yate rights beneath the IRON heel,
brought no strength or support to
the National cause; but. on the con-
trary, brought discord, division and
weakness.
The men who established politi-
Cal power by force, and in disre-
gard of the Constitution and laws,
Of necessity had resort 20 the same
means to continue their power
The party which they organized
beng revolutionary, they must 60
forward. 1t was political death to
stand still or step backward. Sc
whom the war camo to It close, po.
hucal necessity would not allow
that peace, attended by order, in
dustry AMI prosperity, should re-
turn to bless the land. The pre-
text for revolutionary rule must LC
continued. The Southern States
| by amendments Of .heir Constitu-
lions, in accordance with Northern
demand placed themselves in "prac
tical relations with tho Union, OK
cept that they were yet denied rep
rosentatlon in Congress. The ma
chiIery OF Government was IN h0r
monIous action. The laws protec
ted the people, and hopo stimulated
f industry and enterprise. Thou
WHOM the heart Of the patriot wa
made glad, because the work 0
reconciliation and restoration wa
50 nearly accomplished, then tb
political and revolutionary deere
went forth, that Il shopld not be-
, that the fires OF angry sectiona
| passions should yet burn in tn
, furnace.
By Congressional edict, ten State
were stripped o? thor auciont an
constitutional prorogativea; militia
E ry districts weco established, an
4 military governments ordained
tho generals orders displaced tn
d peoples laws and his subordinate
! crowded the judges from the bench
, and tho jurors from tho box. nii
, trust and GoubJ succeeded cont
| donce and Hopei enterprise. and ID
0 Dor were paralyzed and bushes
{ languished; productions decline,
0 and foreign debt increased; wit
] diminished sources Of revenue, ou
= expenditures continue, and III
public dobt increases. Ware
( possible that good could como OF
1 of evil; that out OF these wrong
/ there could spring benlicont gov
a crnments, protecting tho poop
q and fostering their interests, the
indeed we might realize some con
pensation for tho burdens born
-. - u .-.I...