South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-06-09

mcnt of that Government. And
further, that we adhere firmly tC
the principle of maintaining a per-
feet independence between the coz
ordinate departments of the Gov
eminent, the Legislative, the Tx
ccutive and the Judicial, condemn
ing all encroachments by one upon
the functions of the others.
FIfLh-Whlle the fundamental
law as expressed in the Constitu.
ton, Is necessarily permanent until
abrogated as prescribed by that in
struTent, all legislation is, in it:
nature and purpose, temporary, and
subject 20 change, modification OF
repeal, at the will of a msjority o.
the people, expressed through the
law-making power ; and that the
pretense that any act of Congress
not executed ur spent, or any leg
islative policy OF u party, is an alb
~solute fnality, Is totally Inconsist'
ent with the whole theory Of re-
publican government, and that ills
the unquestIonable right Of the peo-
pie, of themselves, at each success
I've Congress, TO Judge of what leg
islation Is necessary and proper or
appropriate TO carry into execution
or enforce the constitutional pow
ers, rights and duties of the FEEDER
al Government.
Sixth-That, as an instance OF
eminently appropriate Legislation
under the Fourteenth Amennment,
we demaad now Of Congress univ
ersal amnesty.
Seventb-That while we denounce
all riOtous combinations and cons
piracies against law or TO disturb
the peace, in the South, or else
where, and demand of all good Cit
izens their utmost influence to put
all such down, we also denounce
the act commonly called the "Bay-
onet Bill" recently passed by Con-
gress ; and the more recent act
commonly called tb 'Ku>klux Bill
extending by Its terms, TO every
State /; as enacted for no other pur-
pose than to complete the centrall-
cation of all power in the hands of
the General Government, establish
a military despot.sm, and thus
perpetuate the present administra-
ton without regard 10 the will Of
The people, and as not only utterly
inconsistent with the whole theory
and character of tho Federal Gov
ernment, and revolutionary and
dangerous in their nature, but in
direct conflict with the Spirit and
letter Of the Constitution, includ-
ing the amendments which they
pretend to enforce.
Eighth-That holding still 10 the
good old Democrotic doctrine Of
annexation or acquisitions of terri
tory, we + yet totally opposed to
the scheme Of President Grant, 10
acquire San Domingo as a Job"
and by the means and for the pur-
pose, evidently intended.
Ninth That we are IN favor of a
strictly tariff, confoi med
to the theory ard principles of all
other Just and wise tax laws. and
opposed to the protective theory,
so called.
Tenth-Tha: the profIgate cor
ruption and wanton extravaganza
which pervade every department Of
the Federal Government the sac
r!fce of the interests of labor to ag-
grandIze u handful of a~rIstocrats F;
the wicked deprivation of the peo-
pie Of their rIghtful heritage IN the
public lands, which have been made
a gift 20 railway and other monop-
olists the paymen: Of more than
twenty-four millions premium, du-
ring the administration of Prosi-
dent Grant, on government bonds
/. payable at par the maintenance
at an annual cost 10 the people OF
nearly thirty millions, of an uncon-
sututiUnal, oppressive and extor-
tomato system of banking, where's
by money Is made scarce and mt
crest bigh, are abuses which call
for wise and thorough remedies.
EIeventh-That we are in favor
of strict economy ; of a large re-
ductlon IN the expenditures of the
Federal and State Governments of
civil service reform /; Of the recol-
lection of the internal revenue by
State authorities, AID thereby re-
turn 10 honest labor. the myraids
of tax-gatherers who affiict our
land and eat up its substance.
Twelfth-That while We reject
Reputation, we equally reject the
proposition TO pay The bOndholders
more than the contract with them
demands : that if tho bondholders
have rights, so have the tax-pay-
ers, and we insist upon justice be-
ing done TO both. That the credit
or is entitled TO be paid in the
same currency he loaned TO the
Government that when he loan
ed greenbacks, unless the contract
otherwise provides, and when he
loaned gold, he should be paid in
gold. That to guard against too
great an expansion, greenbacks
should be made convertible into
three per cent. bonds, at the OPP
ton OF the note holders, said bonds
to be redeemed in g~rccnbacks on
demand. That the true method OF
returning 10 specie payments is to
make custom dues payable in legal
tender currency, whether paper
money OF gold ; that such a policy
would secure q uniform currency,
stop gambling in gold, and thereby
elevate the credit of the Govern
ment.
TIL .eenth-That with the watch
word of REFORM, we confidently
go to the Country that we be.
lieye the interests of the great body
of the people are the same that
without regard TO past political as
sociatioIs, they are the friends o.
free government ; that they are e.
a uuaIlV honest brave and OairIOtlc