The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-24
HOW TO YIN IN 1872.

True Course Oh the Democracy I'm tne
| Present Crisis of the CountTy-The
Constitution as 1t is-A Letter from
John Qufncy Adams.
The following letter from John Quincy
Adams. late the Democratic candidate for Gov
| ernor of Massachusetts, to citizen OF nils
| souri,. has been given to the world through
the columns OF the st. Louis Republican:
QUINCY, May 6, 1871.
4. Wurrea Kelsey, Esq:
| DEAR SIR have the honor to ecKn oWleose
the receipt. of q communication from you en-
closing two extracts from newspapers upon
| which YOU request my criticism; ana liner
! from your letter that you wish to learn my
opinion upon the public questions discussed IN
! those articles. .e,,,,
are Wiling TO accept them as simply the spec
ulation of an individual. represent NOBODY.
and do not boast follower in the world; nor
| do know that my notions are shared by any
considerable potion OF any party.
The people OF the United States feel in
stjnclively that they are going wrong, but
they are told that 1t will be dangerous to re-
trace theic steps. They know that the pain
| upon which they have entered is beset with
pltlallS; DtL even u pau pass 10 oet.eh tnau '.'
precipice. The sweep Of reaction is stayed oy
| the dread of revolution. The policy OF shrewd
Democrats, and the duty OF good Citizens Is 10
dspel this apprehension, no matter how 1ool-
| ish 1t may seem to them. Short Of honor and
good faith, no sacrifice should be deemed
severe which would suffice to lay that haunt
ing spectre For that reason ! deplore the
halting, hesitatng step with which the Democ-
racy is sneaking up to its Inevitable position.
For this cause | share your regret at the
sudious ambiguity which seems 10 search Tor
sallypo.t through which TO dodge It's desll-
ny. And while better like the spirit, equal
| ~ condemn the policy OF those who only pro-
| claimed their purpose of revolution. Snch In
| dicatons of sentiment annoy me, simply be-
cause they prolong situation fraughL with
great danger TO the dearest interests OF us all.
| The dominant party can retain power which
has grow n too great for the public welfare
| only by an indefinite extension OF the moral
conditions OF the civil war. The Republican
organization can rally to no cry but slogan
and conuuer under no standard but spear.
| That party needs strife to insure lis success:
but good feeling is necessary for good gov
ernment
Now, the hostility to the 1flhtcenth amend.
ment Is the stock .in-trade Of the fOmenters OF
strife; worth gratifying at the risk ofperma-
| nent subsection? The South Is CALLED to-day not
| by the presence Of that amendment 10 the cons
tilution, out by the utter absence Of the constl-
luton ITSELF. They feel a Congress which as
saullS them, but they find no constitution 10
| protect them. Is 1t not silly. then, 10 SQUAD.
| BILE about an amendment which would cease
| to be obnoXlons If it was not detached from
| Its context?
| II Is quibblng upon technically of law
and relin gushing the substance Of liberty.
The constitution was struck down by The as
saQlt upon Sumter, and all constitutions must
necessarily fall before the face Of the supreme
arbitrament OF war. 1t can never be lifted UP
while war is tlagrant. The people will never
resign the altitude Of hostile vigilance, which
| Is the real significance Of the present admin
istralion. until they know that no one OF
| their war trophies is longer disputed. Then
| they will gladly resume the habits which they
| love and the good nature which they repress
What. then, Is the meaning OF the grolesque
contortOns Of those who profess lonaneSs
for camels and yet strain 80 tantastcally al tnis
gnat for the essence Of all Democracy ls
equality-nolhing but the equality of all men
before the law-equal and exact justice TO
every man, and each to share in the govern
ment of all That Is the only genuine Demo-
cratic doctrine But who dares face an intel
| ligent people, with that testimony upon his
lips, and denounce measure Whicn IS 100
Democratic for Democrats, only because the
enfranchlsed are blacks Surely, the North
ern Democracy should not be forced into such
stupidities by the conscientious scruples OF
their Southern brethren. Difference Is doubt
less due, to their constitutional qualms, and
vet some lenity towards Revolutionary pro-
cesses Of amendment might be reasonably
expected from supporters OF secession. IL we
can condone the 1ault, Is il too much to ask
paroled prisoners of war to pardon 1t
No! You have given our cry universal
amnesty and universal suffrage" would only
| add, the constitutional Union OF the States.
For the old Constitution is just as good as ever
Il was, tor South as well as North, In spite OF
the MARKS OF the mailed hand which must re-
main upon 1t for warning TO those that come
after us. There is nothing in it now which ls
not perfectly compatible with the happiness
welfare and liberty of all the people OF all the
States. 1t is only the administration That is ut
fault, 1t is the Interpretation which Is violent
Do you Imagine that Thomas Jefferson, 90 you
think that James Madison, would say their Old
organic frame permits protective tarlt OF
paper money; authorizes national banks or
Presidential diplomacy; cosntenances military
tribunals, centralization, and the crowning anu
perfect iIfamy Of the Ku-klux bill
1t tnever was he constitution which invaded
or conquered Stale;lt Is not the constitution
| which expresses the States. 1t was war, CIVIL
| war. Close the war, and you restore self-goV-
ernment to the people OF the States. IL lney
cannot secure their own peace and happiness,
let us look around Eext year, not Tor Inc next
President, but the first dictator.
Now, if you or any other man DOUBTS the
soundness OF mS judgment in this matter. all
/ ask is o true Democratic administrator, ana
you shall see it for yourself
Yours, very respectfully,
JouNQ ADAMS.