Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-06-03

ONO DkmecnAer.

OHIO DEM0CRAeY. g.
We learn, through the Cincinnati
Eueuirer, that shade Of difference
~ perceptibIe between two, or three
prominent Ohio Democrats. We do
not mean personal difference, but a
political one growing out Of the ac-
ccptancc, by the Democratic party
NJ the copstitutionaI amendments
The Montgomery County resolutions,
by vaIIandigiIam, II we rightly un-
derstand them, accept the amend
ments as accomplished facts, whilst
those of Butler county, pledge obedi-
ence to the amendments and the laws,
in accordance Herewith, as long as
they may be in force.
As long as we have been connected
with politics, we have never seen a
niesr distinction drawn "twixt tive
dle-dum and twedle-dre." That the
amendments are accomplished facts,
none cnn dlsprove, and since they
have not been successfully resisted
and we are living under them and
the laws they authorize, they are al
Sendy accepted, as every other fact Is
IA fact being something already
done, or accomplished, but not neces-
sarily beyond reversal. If.by accep-
lance, 1t Is understood that the thing
accepted Is irreversible, unchangable,
then we agree with the Hon. Lewis
ID. Campbell, the author of the But
Ter county resolutions, that the
amendments should not he accepted,
Mt least in that sense.
But we do not understand Vallan-
digham us meaning, by his accept
nnce, that the amendments are be-
yond the reach of change and that
the people, themselves, shall have
no power hereafter, to modify or ex-
punge them. There Is no precedent,
on record, for irreversible DEGREES
the acts Of one Legislature, or one
generation, being always subject to
the will of the succeeding. Our orig
inal Constitution was, for three
5ovlrths Of century, an accomplish
ell fact, proudly accepted by free,
prosperous and happy people; but
when Puritanism found its provis-
ions an obstacle in the way of their
unhallowed ambition and nefarious
purposes, it became, nj once, a cove
nant with death and a League with
hell, and so soon us tina: party got
into power, that long accomplished
fact was disregarded and the Consti
tuition overthrOwn. DO they, or can
. they claim, In the face of the prece-
dent themselves have set up, that
their fraudulent innovations shall be
az durable as time? No man of sense
will concede amy such absurd de-
mand. AS we'll may the Radicals
claim that the election of Grant, be-
ing an accomplished and accepted
fact shall not I've reversed in 1872, and
as well may the Democrats cOacede
that point as the one in dispute, about
the amendments.
Our opinion, repeatedly expressed,
in substance, is that there is no neces-
sity for embodying in a democratic
platform any formal acceptance, or
non-acceptance of anything the Rad
icals have done. In neither case
would there be any actual, or implied
pledge that there shall be no change
no matter how Imperative the neces-
city for 1t, In the future progress Of
events-besides such pledge, however
solemnly given, cannot be binding
upon future generations which will
have the inalienable right to alter,
or amend their Constitutions and
laws, In any manner demanded by
the exigencies of the times, or deem
ed conducive to their welfare. Then
let US discard the meaningless term,
accomplished facts-and strike out
boldly for constitutional government
and Its honest and economical adj
miuistration. 1t Is folly to accept,
formally, what we have already re-
ceived and tamely endured, or to re-
ject that which we are not prepared
to shake off. We cannot repeal the
amendments until it is the will of
the people that IL shall he done; nor
can we nullify them by the decision
Of a Supreme Bench whose opinions
the Radicals have paid for in advance.
TO gain the power to do these things,
we must be united In purpose and
sentiment suffer no divisions to grow
ont Of quiLble, about meaningless
terms; accept the entire past as an
accomplished fact for such il is-and
plant ourselves upon the present and
future rs the strongest points for ag-
gressive warfare upon the us,irpers
who have, virtually, overthrown the
Constitution, and are trampling, I'M
under foot, the dearest rights of q
long suffering and tamely submissive
people.
Ar five Knoxville Exposition, cx.
President Johnson delivered an adj
dress Ia the laborcrs and mechanics
of the surrounding country. The
speech Is spoken of ~ u very able