The union Democrat., 1871-05-13
Adde'S. sfsh~ People 81 the GATED ssascs
By sAe D~mserasie Menabcrs OF csaxrrss.

Adde'S. sfsh~ People sf she usiscd ssascs
By she D~mserasic Membcrs OF Ceaxress.
Followingis the address issued by the Dem
ocratic members Of Congress to the people,
on The Goth Of April:
To the people of the United States: Our
presence and official duties A. w sshi.gtua
have enabled ~ to hecrms fully acquainted
With the actions and designs of those who
cnntrl the Radical party. and we feel csnm-
PEELED to utter few words of warning againss
the alarming strides they have made toward
tie Capitalization nf pnwer in the hsnds OF
Congress and the Executive. The time and
attention Of the Radical leaders have been
almost whally directed 10 devising such legis-
latinn as will. in their view. best preserve
their ascendency, and ne regard far the wise
restraints impased by the Constitution has
checked their reckless and desperate career
The President OF the United States has been
formally announced asa candidate for re-elec.
tim. The declarations of hi selfish suprort-
ers have been echoed hy subsidized press,
and the discipline Of party has already made
adhesion to his personal fortunes the supreme
test Of political iealty. The partisan legisia-
ton to which we refer was decreed and shaped
in secret caucus, where the EXTREMIST counsels
always dominated, aud was adopted by sub
servient majority. if not with the intent GER
tainlv with tina effect to place in the hands of
the President power to command his own re-
nomination, and to employ the army. navy
and militia, ut his sole discretion. as a means
Of subscribing his personal ambition. When
the sad experience uf the last two years, So
disappointing to the hnpes and generous COLI
hlence of the country. is considered, in con-
nection with the siolent uterances and rash
purposes of those who control the Presidents
policy, it is no. surprising that the gravest APP
prehensinns for the future peace of the nation
should he entertained.
At time when labor is depressed, and
every material interest il palsiei by cppress-
I've taxation, the public Offices have heen null
tiplied beyond all precedent to serve as instru-
ments in the perpetuation Of power. Part
nership is the only test applied ia the distri-
hutiun Of this vast patronage. HONESTY, fit
ness and moral worth are openly discarded
in favor of trucking submission and dishon.
orable compliance hanc. enormous defa!ca-
tiohs and wide. spread corruption has fninwed
~ the natural Consequences of this pernicous
system. Bv the offirial report of the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, it appears that after
the reduction of all credits. manv millions Of
dollars remain due from ex-Collectors Of tie
, inter nal revenue. end that 40 proper d''iven"a
has ever heen used 10 collect them. Refarms
in the revenue and financial systems, which
all experience demonstrates to he necessary
to frugal administration If the Govern
ment. "a we'll as a measure of relief TO an
overburiened peonle, have been persistently
postponed or wilfully neglected. Congress
now adjnnrns without having even attempt
ed to reduce taxation, or repeal the glaring
.mpositons by which industry is crushed and
imp ,verisbed. The treasury IL ose6awing,
and an excess Of $50, 900, 900 Of revenue is
admitted /; and yet. instead Of anne measure
of present relief. barren and delusive resn-
lution is passed ny the Senate to consider the
tariff and excise systems hereafter, "a it the
history of broken pledges and pretended rem
edies furnished any bstter assurance far fn-
tnre legislation than experience has done in
the past.
Sn;p-huilding and the carrying-trade, once
aourees pf national pride and prosperity, now
langnish under crushing load &c taxation,
AMI nearly every other bust, ess interest il
struggling without profit to maintain itself.
taxes on all they consume either TO the Gov
eminent or to m"no2olisfs, find the prices for
their own products so reduced that honest
labor is denied i,s just reward, and industry
is Frustrated hy invidicus discrimination.
Nearly 200. 100000 acres of public lands
which should have heen reserved for the ben
eft Of ibe people have heen voted away to
giant corporntinns. neg,ecting our soldiers
nd aor;,,l,;cr h.pdf,l ,,f syroo.lv scaa,,l.
tors and lobbyists who are thereby enabled to
exercise a most dangerous and corructing in
fluence over State and Federal Legislation. II
the career Of these ,nSpiratnrs he not check
ell tue downfall of free government ia inevit-
| able, and with it the elevation of military
dictator on the ruins of the Republic.
Under treiense Of passing laws TO enfarce
the fourteenth Amendment ami fer other pur-
poses, Congress mas Conferred the most des-
poric pnwars upon the Executive. and prnvid-
cd an official machinery, by which the liner
ties Of the people are menaced AMI the sacred
right Of local sef-g ,varnment in the States Is
ignored. If nnt tvranically ov.rthrown. Mod
eIlel up to ths <e,iitioa laws. odious in his
tory. they are at variance with all the sancti-
fed theories Of our .instita'ions. And the
construction given nv these Radical interpre-
,ers 10 the fourteenth Ampndment il. to use
the language of an eminent Senator, MIR.
Trnmhu:l, of illinois. an "annihllator of
States" Under tie last enforcement bill
the Executive may. in his dscretion. thrust
aside the Government of any State. suspend
the writ Of haheas corpus" arrest its Cover
NOR, impris,n or dispense the Legislature. al
leree ita Judges. and trampie down ita peopls
under the armed heal of bis troops. Nothing
| is lett TO the CITIZEN os the State which can
| any longer he called right; all is changed
| into mere snfferance. Our hopes for redress
are in the calm, good sen.e, the ''sober sec-
| ond thought," Of the American people. We
| call upnn them to he trne to themselves and
| IA their past. and disregarding party names
and minor differences. 20 insist nps,n de-
cert equalization Of in,7er, the restriction Of
Federal authority within its just and proper
LIMITS. leaving to the States that control over
domestic affairs which IL essential to their
happiness. and tranquility. and good govern
mens. Everything that malicious ingenuity
cnuld suggest hss been done to rritate the
people of the Middle and Southern States
Gross and exaggerated charges Of disorder and
vinlcnce QUE their origin 10 the mischievous
minds Of political managers in the Senate and
| ri suse of Representatives, To which the Exec