The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-07-26
[osrespondsnce ofthe Parkersbarg Times, ra
THE POOR REBELS.
[pupLIsnEp BY aEouEsT.l

ruins Of a, revolution, He only exists
now as a fossilization of history, but the
man survives the rebel. Buried in these
ruins, we may contemplate him in the ono
aspect as an object Of history, and in the
other, as man with like infrmitics with
ourselves, the subject of sympathy for the
exercise of our huhanitics, for the mani
fes,ation and development Of christian
principle as the evidence Of our culture
aud progress FROM the past barbarism of
the race, and as the means Of future
progress and the noble culture Of the hu.
inuities Of life, This is alike demanded
by the moral sympathies Of the age, by
the dictates of prudence, and the demands
Of christian civilization.
The war Of Jour separation from Great
Britian seemed to most minds at the
timc,, m act, an intervention Of Provi-
dence in the history Of the race, and the
close found US as independent colonies,
united, only by the common sentiment Of
sGlf-iefence against a common aggressive
foe. It was but a temporary union
against an enemy who assailed important
rights common to the colon les as u whole,
who yet had many local rights, customs,
aud habits of thought, rs respective col
oaics touching the n.ost sacred con arus Of
their people rs individuals connected with
their domestic, social, municipal and re-
hgious institutions as recognized, guaran-
teei and protected by their respective
colonial charities and forms of govern
ment. No two Of the colonies were alike
in ,lleir social conditions. their political
organizations, or their religious institu-
lions, and these diyersities constitute the
life.blood u Of their several existence
But they bad enough in common which
was assailed to unite them in their just
cause Of solf.defence sgainst the common
enemy. This war was followed or rather
consummated by that insufficient compact
called the Articles of Confederation. The
Colonies we're on the eve of.resolying in.
to-tl,eir. several independent soyereigni,ies
thus to become the rivals Of each other,
aud in the conflicts Of interests and pref
udicas which would have surely and
speedily followed Gas they did follow into
hostile and antagonistic parties to each
otllerces 4 55r5, IS "a asit ~ ..isf
The Convention which formed the Con-
stitu,ion Of the United States was in
session. 8 Two distinct parties were found
inithis body in. very decided opposition to
each other; the Hamiltonian or Federal
Party, seeking for the establishment Of d
strong central government and avowing
principles not very far removed from those
advocated BY the imperialists Of these
times; and the republican, WHO while
willing 70 form Union Of the colonies
on more solid basis than that Of the
Confederation, yet insisted on preserving
distinct sovereignty ofthe State, a lin
station of powers 10 the Central govern
mcnt and: the greater individuality and
security Of the people in these very limi-
tatious. The very object Of their limi-
tations was the security Of the states and
the individuality and freedom Of the pco-
pie, in the exercise Of those rights and
powers which had pertained to their
colonial histories and which had become
part Of their existence in their habits Of
thought and modes Of action. The colo.
MES were the nations Of the people WHO
composed them us distinct colonies, with
their respective Charters Of flights which
secured to them the freedom and The
blessings Of their respective social, civil
eand religious customs, and which, had in
duced them to encounter the difficulties Of
Just settlement in the wilderness and to
maintain, in many fierce contest with
the Grown. the sacred and guaranteed
enjoyment Of these very rights. The
colonies existed in these, their very d.
Svcrsitics. For these, they had cleared
the wilderness and founded their re-
spcctive centres Of political power, mu-
niciph regulations, and civil aud religious
institutions. These had grown with
their growth; they had become interviewer
tinall their habits Of thought, Of feeling
and Of individual and public conduct. In
passing from the Confederation 10 the
Constitution, it WIS the purpose and the
object Of these men to preserve these
things as the most sacred blessings.
And, although with some misgivings
most Of them believed that they had Sc
cured theme But there was nisgivug on
this subject, and the adoption of the Con
s.itation entered their solemn protest
against any use or construction Of thai
instrument which might invade, alter OIL
affect these fights. jealous of thes,
rights, Massachusetts, gave public oppo
,sition in the very earliest days of the Re
public to the action of the Central Gov
eminent, 10 Shays instruction. Con.
nccticut repeated this vindicaiion Of the
rights of the States and Of tho people
living in her jurisdiction by refusing 4
. obey the orders of the Central Govern.
ment during the war of 1872. The whole
history of the country, from the very first
shows that there were three parties in lci
bosom: the Inperihlists or the high.
toned Federal Party, who, at tho first,
were for the establishment of strong
Central Government, perhaps with dy-
nautv nf r,,lnrs nnl ,ybn avn nos, son.n.