The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-06-30
18th and 18th Amendments.
CAN THEY BE GOTTEN RID Off


CAN THEY BE GOTTEN RID OF?
That these amendments were forced
upon the people against their will and
by means OF the grossest frauds as well
as lin violation of the Constitution Itself
in fact that they have only fraudulent
existence-will not be denied by any
Democrat. That they take away re.
served rights of the States is equally
sure, and that they ought to be repealed
or set aside every Democrat believes.
But technical lawyers interpose the plea
that "in form" they have been adopted
and can not be set aside except by
further amendment in the manner pre-.
scribed by the Constitution, which can
never be accomplished. We deny this
doctrine. Put the Democratic party in
power-.let a majority in Congress declare
that these amendments were not adopted
according to the intent and spirit of the
Constitution and are therefore void. Let
the question be referred directly by law
If necessary to the Supreme Court for
final decision. If that body decides or
threatens to decide in partizan spirit,
let Congress authorise the appointment
of sufficient number of additional
Justices to control the decision, as was
threatened by President JEFFERSON in
an important issue. By this process the
fraudulent amendments can be readily
wiped out, or utterly destroyed, when
ever practical expression can be given
to the voice of the people and the true
spirit Of the Constitution itself.
The mawkish sentimentalists who cry
out "you do submit to these amend.
ments and they are therefore law" de-
serve only contempt, perhaps, ,-possibly
scorn. For the last ten years the peo-
pie have unwillingly submitted, under
protest, to the grossest usurpations of
power, perjury, treason, villainy and
corruption. Yet such submission does
not legalize these things. Resistance
must not necessarily be by force. 1t is
even more marked, positive and effective
when done in legal form and by legal
means. We resist and protest at the
ballot-box, which is the freeman's pro.
per weapon for resistance against un.
constitutional action by constituted
authority. This resistance will be con-
tinued while the government lasts, or
success crowns its efforts, even though
certain patriots be kept out of office for
further period.
We are not of those who despise sue
cess, but we do despise it when attained
by the sacrifice Of principle. 1t is a
thousand and ten thousand times more
important that the principles of the
Democratic party should be maintained
in their purity, and thus serve as a
check upon whatever legal or official
power may exist, than that simple sue
cess of its candidates should be secured
at an election. If principle can not be
established and proper government
thereby he instituted and maintained,
what difference does it make to the
public who holds the offices? Whether
Mr.. In is out or Mr.. Out is in, is matter
of no public Importance. But whether
correct principles are maintained and
the government administered upon the
broadest principle of popular freedom
from oppression is of vast importance.
If the 14th and 10th amendments are
submitted to, the Capitalization of the
government is accomplished and the
States are practically wiped out. The
surrender of all political power into the
hands of an aristocracy of wealth, to be
exercised by central power at Wash.
ington, will have been accomplished
The ballot-box will then no longer con.
troll the destinies of the people and will
have but little or no influence upon
results, but combined and aggregated
capital will be the sole power.
These are the general reasons why We
war against these amendments and pro
test against the weakness and fraud
which counsels submission to them. We
firmly believe that to submit to them /.
to agree to the death warrant of popular
rights and the control of the people
over their own government affairs. Lei
those submit who will-there are thous
ands Of honest brave hearts that will
never never yield.