The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-07-20
dead Issues"


1t win not be denied, except by the
Radicals, that what are called the 18th
aud 10th amendments. arc not amend
meuts, because they were not ratified in
accordance with the mode prescribed by
the constitution. The President went
through the form Of proclaiming them
ratified, but his proclamation did not
alter the facts, nor mako valid what
before was invalid, because ola want of
conformity to the requirements of the
organic law. These amendments went
into effect, nevertheless, aud they have
been so far acquiesced in as to have
occasioued no factious opposition even
among those who were opposed to them
and to the manner in which they we're
foisted upon the country by force aud
fraud. But this acquiescencc does not
and cannot render them valid. If the
party opposed to them were in majority
10 Congress, il would be competent .or
that majority to declare them null and
void, or it would be competent to take
the question of their validity before the
Supreme Court, aud that tribunal could
set them aside. 1t is therefore absurd
and inconsistent for Democrats to de.
clare their acceptance of these amend,
ments as accomplished facts" when
they know, aud have SO affirmed, over
and over again, that they are not accom-.
plished facts. While the Democratic
party will offer no violent or revolution.
airy opposition to the operation Of these
amendments, they claim the right to
set them aside by the highest tribunal
10 the land, or in the manner and form
above indicated. And with them to
repeal the "bayonet law" and the "ku.
klux law" both of which are hostile to
the spirit of our free institutions. Yet,
thee are men calling themselves Demo
Gratis, who avow their willingness to
accept these amendments and the legis
lation under them, as .dead issues"
which are not now subjects of discussion
between the Democratic and Radical
parties. In other words, the constitu-
tion is declared amended, tyrannical
acts are passed by Congress to enforce
these pretended amendments, aud the
Democratic party is called upon, by
certain Of its own members, to accept
these things as accomplished facts, I"
"dead issues" no longer before the
people Such obliquity is simply as
founding! Men may change, but prin-
ciples never; truth and right never die.
What was true and right thousand
years ago, is SO to-day. There are no
dead issues" touching human rights
and privileges, notwithstanding all the
absurd and ridiculous twaddle to which
we have been treated upon the subject,
by the "new dcparturists," since this
apple Of discord was thrown into the
Democratic party. Sophistry, without
limit, is resorted to by the advocates Of
this DETECTION from the right line of
duty, but no amount of special pleading
will be able to reconcile honorable men
to q compromise Of principle for the
nero sake Of success. What else can
we make of this 'new departure" but
sacrifice of principle for the sake of
expedieucy--a voluntary surrender of
the honorable ground on which
the Democratic party has ever stood, to
take new position upon the rottenest
planks in the Radical platform--negro
suffrage and negro equalityl Men Of
easy virtue aud plastic consciences may
do SO, but trre Democrats, worthy of
that tisne-hsnsrcA appellative, never
will.