The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-06

THE NEW DEPARTURE VS.. THE OLD.

THE NEW DEPARTURE VS.. THE OLD.
In the history of this country is it not
the strangest fact that the constitutional
opinions of the leaders of the Democratic
party in the South underwent, I'M the course
of few years, an entire change, from the
widest latitudinarianism to the most rigid,
strict construction? hss e
( In view of recent developments and the
"New Departure" !" it may not be uninter-
esting to the reader to notice the contrast
between the former yewsof the ''nulli-
fiers, - Of the State of South Carolina, and
their State Rights doctrines at a subsequent
period.
From reply to certain series of "rad-
ical essays" published in the State Of Geor-
gia, in 1921, is the following extract ascribed
to the pen of Mr.. M'Dufiee, of South Car
olina:
"What security, then, did the convention, or in
other words, the people of the United States pro-
vide to restrain their functionaries from usurping
powers not delegated, and from abusing those
with which they are really inyested2 The con-
stitution will tell you that it is the real security
at is the responsibility Of the officers Of the
General Government, not to the State author-
ties, but to themselves, the people. This, and
this only, is the great conservative principle,
which lies at the foundation of all our political
institutions, and sustains the great and glorious
fabric of our liberty. This great truth, ought to
be kept in constant and lively remembrance by
every American. Fat
"The States, as political bodies have no origi-
nal, inherent rights That they have such rights,
is false, dangerous and anti-republican assump-
tion, which Turks at the bottom of all the reason
ings in favor of State-rights.''
This ''New Departure" is not the only
instance Of total revolution of opinion in
the history of our public men, but there
is difference in this: that while in the
past the change has been gradual, and
brought about by successive steps, this la
ter movement Of q portion of the Democrat
ic party has caused surprise and consterna-
ton, in their own ranks, and virtually ac-
knowledges to the whole world either one
of two things: that they have been insin-
cere in their professions and principles in
the past, or are so now. With what a
sense of deep humiliation must they regard
their past record or their present course!
Their object is too evident--their own
greed and ambition has betrayed them.
Hunger for Office, with determination to
rule or ruin, has led them to commit this
step, which ofall others exhibits their weak
ness. s - I.
EDUCATION OF THE COLoRED RACE.
No sign is more cheering than the efforts
to secure better education for the colored
people OF this country. In the South, since
their emancipation, this unjustly-treated
people have shown a most commendable
desire to improve their minds by attending
schools, in which they might enjoy some of
the blessings to be derived from mental
training.
Through the aid of the Freedman's Bu-
reau, the assistance of benevolent associa-
tions in the Northern States, the Peabody
fund, and other agencies, much has been
done in their behalf, and yet much remains
to do. te &pa aSsas gss
We have read with much interest the ac-
count of the closing exercises in the Uniyer-
sity of Atlanta and the report of the board
of visitors appointed by the authority of the
State. Georgia has conferred grant of
eight thousand dollars year upon this in-
stitution, and we may truly say that the
grant reflects credit upon the Legislature
that made it. ~
The report of the board Of visitors is a
strong testimonialas to the capability of the
black race for literary culture.
The members of the visiting board are
nearly all native Southerners; they are
among the leading minds Of the State, and
most of them are identified with the DEM
ocratic party. Ex-Governor Brown is well
known as Governor Of Georgia during the
war. Judge Douglass is the present judge
of the Superior court. Mr.. Hemphill is
publisher Of the Constitution, the most IN
fluential Democratic paper in the State.-
Mr.. Scruggs is editor Of the Atlanta Neao
Era. Judge Dunning is postmaster of At
lanta and State Senator.
The true democratic doctrine is not to
trample down any race, however humble,
but by public education and by just laws
to try to elevate all classes and conditions