Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-06-10
Letter from John Quincy Adams.
From the St. Louis Republican Of May
10th We copy the following letter:

|
A. IVarr~n Kelsey, Esq Dear Sir: I
have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of communication from you inclos-
ing two extracts from newspapers upon
which you request my criticism and in
fer from your letter that you wish to learn
my opinion upon the public questions dis
cussed in those articles. e
You are quite welcome to know them
if you are willing to accept them as simply
the speculation of an individual. I rep
resent nobody and do not boast follower
in the world nor do know that my no.
tions are shared by any considerable por.
tion of any party.
The people of the United States feel in.
stinctively that they are going wrong, but
they are told that it will be dangerous to
retracc their steps. They know that the
path upon which they have entered is
beset with pitfalls but even bad pass is
better than the precipice. The sweep Of
reaction is stayed by the dread of revolu-
ton. The policy of shrcwd Democrats
and the duty of good citizens is to dispcl
this apprehension, no matter how foolish
it may seem to them. Short Of honor
aud good faith no sacrifice should be
deemed too great which would suffice to lay
that haunting. hcsitating step with which
the Democracy sneakinGup to its incvita-
ble position. For this cause share your
regret at the stndious ambiguity which
seems to search for sally-port through
which to dodge its destiny. And while
l better like the spirit equally condemn
the policy Of those who openly proclaim
their purpose Of revolution. Such indi-
cations of sentiment annoy me, simply be,
cause they prolong a situation fraught
with great danger to the dearest interests
of US all. The dominant party can retain
a power which has grown too great for the
public welfare ouly by an indefinite extcn.
sion Of the moral conditions of the civil
war.
The Republican organization can rally
to no cry but slogan and conquer under
no standard but a spear. That party
needs strife to insure its success, but good
feeling is necessary for good government.
Now the hostility to the Fifteenth
| Amendment is the stock in trade of the
f"mcntors of strife is it worth crafty.
ing at the risk of permanent subjcction?
The South is gallcd to day not by the
presence of that Amendment to the Con.
sttution, but by the utter absence of the
Constitution itself They feel a Congress
which assaults them, but they find no Con-
stitution to protect them.
Is it MT silly, then. to squabble about
an Amendment which would cease to be
obnoxious if it was not detached from its
context!
1t is qn'bbing upon a technicali'y of
law and relinquishing the substance of
liberty. The Constitution was struck
down by the assault upon Sumter. ns all
Constitutions must necessarily fall before
the face Of the supreme arbitramcnt of
war. 1t can never be lifted up while war
is fragrant The people will never resign
the attitude of hostile vigilance which is
the real significance of the present Admin.
istration, 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 reprcss. What then is the
meaning of the grotesque contortions Of
those who profess a fondness for camels
and yet strain so Enthusiastically at this gnat?
For the essence of all Democracy is equal.
ity-nothing but the equality of all men be.
fore the law. Equal aud exact justice to
every man, and each to share in the Gov.
crnmcnt Of all. That is the only genuine
Democratic doctrine. But who dares face
an intelligent people with that testimony
upon his lips, and dcnounces a measure
which is too democratic for Democrats
only because the enfranchised are black
Surely the Northern Democracy should
not be forced into such stupidities by the
conscientious scruples of their Southern
brethren. Difference is doubtless due to
their Constitutional qualms, and yet some
lenity toward revolutionary processes Of
amendment might be reasonably expected
from supporters of secession. If we can
condone the fault, is it too much to ask
paroled prisoners Of war to pardon it?
No! You have given our cry, Univer-
sal Amnesty and Universal Suffrage" I
would only add, the constitutional Union
Of the States. For the old Constitution is
just as good as ever it was, for South as
we'll as North, in spite Of the marks of the
mailed hand which must remain upon it
for warning to those that come after us.
There is nothing in it now which is not
perfectly compatible with the happiness,
welfare and liberty Of all the people of all
the States 1t is only the Administration
that is at fault, it is the Interpretation
which is violent. Do you imagine that
Thomas Jefferson, do you think that
James Madison would say that their old
organic frame permits protective tariff or
paper money; authorizes national banks
or Presidential diplomacy, couutenances
military tribunals, Capitalization and the
crowuing and perfect infamy Of the Ku.
Klux bill?
1t never was the Constitution which in.
vaded or conquered State, it is net the
Constitution which oppressed the States.