Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-06-27

The Louisville Ledger, commenting
on the subject Of Democratic unity
and the adoption of the unconstitu
tional amendments, Gays; "Au Dem.
Ocrats agree that, 10 matter how fouI
the means by which they were pro.
cured, yet that having come upon us
through the FERNS Of law, they are
binding, and must be acquiesced in by
all good citizens until annuUed in q
lawful way-by repeal, adjudication
or counter amendment" That is true;
and a. 10 that we have therefore sufn-
cient unity Of opinion. The Thir-
teenth amendment no one would dis
pute, except on the ground of its being
a work Of supererOgstiOn. Abolition
Of slavery is a war result not disputed
or sought to be avoided or changed 10y
anybody. The Fourteenth amend
ment is an &c post fact0 law, the prin-
ciple Of which no true Democrat ever
can approve. Nevertheless, in view
Of the power Of Congress to remove
disabilities, in view Of the coming gen
ersl amnesty, and thepromise of Dem
Ocratic control, there is no difficulty
about union on the basis Of laying the
issue aside as wholly unnecessary to
and out Of the coming canvass. This
should have suficed. and to secure
Southern Democratic unity, must suf-
flee. So OF the Fifteenth amendment.
Its IaOnstrous UsurpatIOn Of power to
the Federal Government to control
the franchise, and thus the domestic
government OF the States, a never
be conceded by any true or States
Right Democrat. The war-making
power might, with as much SEM
blance Of legality, be taken from the
Federal Government by a pretended
amendment" to the Constitution, as
the right Of domestic control in the
most essential point, that Of the fran
chise, be taken from a State. 1t is not
legally competent to destroy the Con-
stitution by patching it over with
amendments. And when these as
sumo the shape Of a palpa-
bic deprivation Of rights, no
Democrat viii concede their
legality, much less consent to with
hold all remonstrance and carry a gag
for free speech whenever the tabooed
is mentioned. But this, too,
may be set aside as de JactO accom-
and presently obligatory. We
are quite willing, with the good
Quaker, that "oid shadbelIy" should
i'lie there till the little scrimmage is
over. with the enemy. And that is
precisely Whist should be done, and
what is the ~wide-open road 70 har-
mony among Democrats. But tell an
old hard-haDded, horny headed,
loving "tel wethero Of the
Wing or Democratic persuasion that !
be mast confess the power Of Congress
s an accomplished fact, complete for
5very vile purpose il chooses.
ell him that by a so-called "ameud. :
nent' q monarch may be set up over
lin instead Of a President. and that {
he monarch may also be thus consti. ]
utionally empowered 10 take proner- J
y, liberty and life at his own csprice !
nd that he must pledge himself ~
ubmit to the accomplished fact. and {
Ike Old Hickory, he will answer !
'ou something ''by the eternal, " about !
landing for principle. We under
the new departure resolutions
o say, that however wrong the Four
zenith and Fifteenth Amendments. 1
nay be, they are not only not tosbe
iscussed.in this canvass, bat their J
speal in legal form is also never 10 be
tempted in future by the Demo- I
ratio psrty. This is paying '0ne's
hole fortune for the whistle Of a
resident, selling a birthright for a
less Of p0ttage, sacrificing inalien /
BE rights which constitutions are I
.ade to secure for a temporary adj ]
and an iilusory and short :
yed victory. To this we must demur. :
Our Louisville contemporary says Of 8
Fourteenth and Fifteenth amend
ents that "they areTeyolutionary;t
ID inaugurate q theory, which, if !
.rsisted in, must efec4ualiy under Z
Inc fhe foundations Of the Republic !