The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-02-02
'LRT CONGRESS COUNT HER AS
CONSERVING IF 1T DARE"
NEW YORK REDELI1ous.

Tho Jacobins Of Congress aud the
would be-diclator who now occupies the
Presidential chair at Washington, have
recently declared, with autocra:io as
sumption, thnt "thc Government has
Z" dctcrma.ca that in this Republic,
" which ,s not, never was, and never
" can be Dcmocracy-tl,at is, this Re-
"public, Republicans shall rule"
In contradistiuction to this VIC have
the great underlying, fundamental prin.
ciplo upon which our Governmental
structure was reared, and which has
often aud again been proclaimed, in its
insidious course, even by the usurpiug
party now in power, "that all govern
mcnt must derive its authority from the
consent Of the governeh."
This principle is now being violated,
in the State OF Georgia, in form so
hssi'ious and dcspotic, as to give
litera! truth to- the aphorism, inter arma
silent lcgcs, and, it would seem, if posi-
ble, to awake tho sensibilities of the
thinking masses Of the North to the
dangers which now threaten their own
liberties. 1t is already intimatcd that
the step next to be taken by Congress,
after the Southern States have all, vi ct
arms, been brought into subscrvicnt
position, will be the passage Of an Act
intended to accomplish like purpose
with reference to all tho other States
which hold inimical positions.
The revolution Of tho Government is
moving onward, and tho progress to-
ward grand centralized dcspotism at
Washington, is rapid. Up to tho present
time, however, this revolution has
advanced, almost solely, upon the easy
way opened up in the track of the con-
quercd and powerlcss States Of the
South. And it remains for time to
show whether it can continue to advance
when its course shall only lie over those
States which have never yc: felt the
coercivc power Of tho Government aud
been swept down by its powerful mill
tary arm, to prepare the way for its
triumphal passage.
The natural results Of freedom Of the
press aud of speech aud of extension of
suffrage, such as is now universally de-
clared, would seem to cngcnder hostility
to any attempt on the part Of the Gov
erumcnt to force its arbitrary, centralized
power upon the unconqucred States.
To anticipation Of such All attempt,
the great Northern Empire State Of y CIV
York arrays herself in an attitude of dc.
fiancc, and may now be put down as
"rebeIlious," as appears from tho an
ncxod extract from speech recently
made by Mr.. Speaker IIi,chman, be-
fore the House Of Representatives Of
that State. Itcquals the tone of Caro-
lima in her proudest and palmiest days
Of the past. "I.ct New York, when the
'roll Of States is called, announce that
'shc does not consent to the amendment;
'and let Congress CONT her as coascntiMg
81 Hdurc." Surely Sumner will bclch
out "trcason J" again, upon the floor Of
The Senate:
We find Congress ccntral;zinGin itself
Ill the powers Of the governMcnt, exc.
,utivo aud judicial, as well rs lcgisla-
i've, and the dangers which the faith.
,rs of the Republic apprchcnded as
possibility are already upon us rs an OK
sting fact. The separation and indie
ocudcncc of the several powers Of the
were regarded blythe franz
,rs Of the constitution as the only guar
'ntcc Of tho Liberties Of the people,
The legislative authority at Washington
las broken down, step by step, tho pow
us Of tho Supreme Court Of the United
states, so that Congress has become
'mnipotcnt. Without question as to
'onstitutirnality of its acts, amendments
o thcsconstitution surrendered to Con
,rcss, powers essential to The States for
lie maintenance Of Republican govern.
ncnt and the liberties Of the people,
'rc enforced by military authority and
States are created, destroyed, and re-
'rcatca according rs they submit to or
oppose such aggression.
The right Of the State to regulate
elections, and everything connected
With them, was very justly regarded us
! fundamental article Of republican
government. 1t was lett to he States
o be fixed by their constitutions. by
! pcnding amendment, attempted to bc
orccd on the States in tho manner l
,avo indicated, Congress is conspiring
o grasp aud control this right, 50 that
body OF men elected for a temporary
,criod and maintaining their scat Of
,owcr at distant point from the great
'ody Of the people, may, by force Of
ruud, change the repnb Iican character
# our government, pcrpctnatc them
elves in authority, and set the people at
|cfiancc. II will be one OF your first
|utics to consider whctber The State Of
o,v Nnrk will cOuSrrA ia this uSurpn-