Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-26
THE NEW DEPARTURE IN ONO.

The speech of Senator Sherman at the
ratification meeting following the Ohio
State Convention gives good idea of the
view which is taken in that State of the
new departure. At the outset he states
that the election would have national
significance, and bearing upon the cas@-
paign of 1872. He reioiced that the dem
ocrats of Ohio had endorsed the great dis
tinguishing measures of the republican
party, in the adoption of the new depart
ure platform. These measures they OPP
posed in the last Presidential campaign.
Opposition to them was the life of the de-
mocracy. What the effect of this sudden
change of base will be upon the honest
men OF the party may be conjectured. But
there would be more cause for rejoicing
by republicans, if there were not so many
reasons for regarding this new departure
as Trojan horse, new device of enemy
to steal into our camp and betray the cause
Why do they speak of the extraordinary
means" by which the amendments were
adopted They were passed by vote OF
two-thirds of each house of Congress, and
ratified by three-fourths of the States. Af
ter this do they intend to dispute that
they are the supreme law of the land
What do they mean by vigorously APP
plying the democratic rule of strict con-
struction to the amendments ?" Is this a
new Kentucky resolution OF 'S9, containing
the heresy of secession and notification
They mean by their fifth resolution q re-
peal of all the acts passed to enforce the
amendments. The remarks of Senator
Sherman upon this are SO important that
we quote at length:
The amendments, without the appropriate
legislation, are mere dogmas, without inhe-
rent power OF enforcement. The ten COM
mandments are laws of the highest sanction,
but what are they worth without penalties and
punishments? What good does it do to say,
Thou shalt not murder" unless the law
comes in and says, ''If thou dost murder,
thou shalt surely be put to death or be i'm
prisoneor What use is it to say that all men
shall have equal political and civil rights UNI
less the law Furnishes a violation of these
mean, except to say, "We recognize the
Amendment, but we will repeal the laws that
enforce themT" We had many rights secured
by the Constitution as it was that were plain
ly and openly nullifed. The citizens OF any
of the States had all the privileges and i'm.
munities of citizens in the several States.
and yet for years citizen of the North could
not and did not enjoy his rights in the South
Judge Hoar of Massachusetts was expelled
from South Carolina for the mere effort to APP.
peal to the courts of South Carolina for pro.
lection from illegal imprisonment of either
of Massachusetts. The Democratic party by
what they call ''strict construction" and by
their refusal to pass appropriate laws stripped
the Constitution of half its vitality. Do they
wish in the same way to emasculate these
Amendments? Does any sensible man be.
lieve that Democratic Congress could OIL
would pass any law to enforce any of these
Amendments? Every effort Of ours to enforce
them has been met by the most violent parlia-
mentary opposition, the laws have been re.
sisted by organized violence. Now they tel