The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-05-27
Letter from John Quincy Adams.
Duty Of the Democracy.
QUINCY, MASS, May 9, 1871.

~ 0uSy 81 S0o OemOcr0Cys
QUINCY, MASS, May 9, 1871.
A. WARREN KELSEY, Esq:
DEAR SIR: have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt OF communication from you enclos-
ing two extracts from newspapers upon which
you request my criticism and infer from your
letter that you wish to learn my opinion upon
the public questions discussed in those articles.
You are quito welcome to know them if you
are willing to ACCEPT them as simply the ,specu,,
lation Of an individual l represent nobody and
do not boast follower in the world nor do 1
know that my notions are shared by any con-
adorable portion of any party.
Tho people of the United States feel instinct
lively that they are going wrong, but they are
told that il will be dangerou, to retrace their
steps. They know that the path upon which
they have entered is beset with pitfalls; but
even . bad pass is better than the precpice
The sweep OF reaction is stayed by the dread of
revolution. The policy of shrewd Democrats
and the duty Of good citizens is to dispel this
apprehension, NO matter how foolish it may seem
to them. Short Of honor and good faith ao sac
rihce should be deemed severe which would suf-
nee TO lay that haunting spectre. For that rea-
son dcplore the hating, hestatlng step with
which the Democracy is sneaking up to its in.
svitable position. For this cause l share your
regret at the studious ambiguity which seems
to search for sally.port through which TO dodge
its destiny And while better like the spirit
I equally condemn the policy of those who open
~ proclaim their purpose of revolution Such
tndicstions OF sentiment annoy me- simply be.
cause they prolong situation fraught with
great danger to the dearest interests of US all.
Tho dominant party can retain power which
has grown too great for the public welfare only
BY a. indefinite extension Of the moral condi.
tions Of the civil war.
Ths Republican organization can rally to no
CRY but slogan and conquer under no standard
outa spear. That party needs strife to insure
fts success. but good feeling is necessary for
good government.
Now the hostility to the Fifteenth amendment
10 the stock in trade Of the fomentcr. of strife
M il worth gratifying at the risk of permanent
subjectionY - ..
The South is CALLED; to-day not by the pres
encs of shat amendment to the constitution. bu.
BY the utter absence of the constitution Itself
They feel q congress which assaults them, but
they find no constitution to protect them.
10 IT not silly, then, to squabb!e about an
amendment which would cease to be obnoxious
II 1t was not detached from its context!
II il clubbing upon technieality of law and
relinQuishing the substance of liberty The
constitution was struck dowA BY the assault I'D.
on Sumpter, - all constitutions must necessarily
fall before the face Of the supreme arbitrament
OF war. 1t can never be lifted up while war is
aafraAt The people will never resign the a.ti-
tude OF hestile vigilsnoe, which is the real sig
nihcsnee OF the present administration. until
they know that ono Of their war trophies is no
longer disputed. Then they will gladly resume
the habits which they love and the good nature
which they rspre.s. What then is the meaning
OF the grotesque contortions Of those who profess
fondness fer eamels and yet strain 50 fantas,i.
cslly st this gnat? For the essence of all De-
Aocrsey u sqaality-nothing but the equality of
Oh mss before the law. EQUAL and exact Just.
TOO to every man, and each to share in the gov.
eminent Of all. That is the only Democratic
doctrine. Bat who darss face a. intelligent
people with that testimony upon his lips, and
dsnouoeo measure which u too Democratic for !
Democrats, only because the enfranchised are
black Surely the northern Democracy should |
not be forced into such stupidities by the cen. |
scieutieus scruples Of their southern brethren. !
Difference Is doubtless due to their constitution.
al qualms. and yet some lenity towards revelu- |
tionsy processes Of amendment might be reason.
ably expected from supporters Of secession. II !
We can csndons the faslt, 10 it too much to ask |
paroled prisoners OF war to pardon it?
No! You have given our cry, "Universsl am.
nesty and universal suffrage" l would only |
add the constitutional Union If the states. For |
the old constitution is just as good - ever it |
vas, for the South - we'll a. North in spite of |
the marks of the mailed hand which mus. re-. |
main upon it for q warning to these that come |
after Us. There is nothing in it now which is !
not perfectly compatible with the happiness.
welfare and liberty of all the people of all the |
statea. 1t is only the administration that is at
fault, it is the Interpretation which is violent |
DO you imsKins that Thomas Jefferson, do you |
think that James Madison would say that their |
old organic frame permits a protective tariff or
paper money; authorizes national banks or pres.
idsntial diplomacy; coux tenanees military tri
bunals, Capitalization and the browning aad |
perfect infamy of the Ku-klux bill:
1t never was the constitution which invaded |
OF osnqured state, it is not the constitution
which Expresses the states. 1t was war--civil !
wal. Close the war and you restore selfgovcrn.
mont to the people Of the states. If they can
not secure their ewn peace and happiness, let
Ms look around next year, not for the mex presi
dent, but for the first dictator.
Now If you or any other man doubt the sound.
mesa Of my judgment in this matter all ask is
, true democratic administration, and you shall |
Zee it orPurseIf. Yours, very respectfully,
- JOHN q. ADAMS.
:, "A chapter Of Puzzles.
"TT brotbeSs" began the Professor, impress.