Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-04-28

is fraught with SO axsh Of evil to the couu-
try as that passed in the dying hours of the
last Congress and known as the Ku- Klux
bill. Congress was averse to any such leg
islation, as exhibited by frequent votes on
Buffers bill, until Grant, not satisfied with
the power in his hands, in special message,
demanded more
The result of Grants persistent demand
is the Ku-Klux bill, which We publish in an
other column.
1t over-rides all constitutional barriers for
the protection Of the rights of the States
and of persons as citizens of States. It gives
the President more than war powers in time
Of peace. 1t makes difficulty between in
dividuals to assume a national aspect and
the parties amenable to U. S. Courts for
trial and punishment. It provides for the
recovery of damages in a civil action in U.
S. Courts against parties who ''refuse or
neglect" to prevent the commission of crimes
against persons and property. At assblow it
over-rides the courts Of the States, for there
is scarcely crime on the statute-book of
any State that does not come under this bill,
and for even so small crime as threat a
fine of $4,000 and imprisonment for six
years may be inflicted.
The President. i'll his option, may declare
a State in rebellion, depose its authorities,
and, to prevent any civil remedies against
his action, may suspend the writ of habeas
corpus, altho' this writ has been jealousy
guarded heretofore, and only allowed to be
suspended in times of great public peril.
1t is thus we go FROM bad to worse. One
small infraction of the constitution, or H.
fringement Of the rights Of the States but
opens the door for more and greater, until
we find the whole power of the States and
Government placed in the hands of enc man
and without even plausible ground or ex-
cuse The secession of the Southern States
and consequent war failed to destroy the
Union, and under the Radical cry it was in
dissoluble, But when they found they had
power they toppled over and made States as
boys topple down and build up card houses
This infraction of the constitution had its
excuse in the necessities and circumstances
of the times which, though most lame, was
still reason. But the present greater in
fraction and infringement, and immense
Capitalization ofpower in the hands Of one
man, armed with the whole military pc vel
of the country to make il sure, has not ever
an excuse to be offered in its behalf. Done
after the lapse Of six years after all hestili
ties between the sections had ceased, when
every State is represented in the Halls o.
Congress, and when every Governor in the
Southern States has declared his ability tt
preserve order, it could not be claimed to b.
on the ground If necessity. It was purely
party measure, done to prevent the disrup
ton of the Republican party, which had be
gun its disintegration, and to secure thu
election of its Presidential candidate in 1872
if necessary, by resort to the bayonet -
Some of the candid Republican Journals
acknowledge it to be purely partizan meas
ure and its object to be as we state.
1t is most outrageous precedent for par
ty purposes, and when its pernicious effects
come to be felt it will consign the Republi
can rarty to that infamy it Sc justly merits.
This is the only good effect We expect from
this Ku-Klux legislation. The accomplish
ment Of even the great good Of wiping cut
Of existence the most corrupt party that
ever disgraced the annals of the country,
however, is not sufficient to compensate for
the enormity of legislation and the damag-
ing effects of the Ku-Klux BILL
The dispatches from France for some days
past indicate the success of the Versailles
troops, which now occupy a line from Chatil-
lon on the South aronnd the West side of
Paris to Gennevillers on the North, within
short distance of st. Denis. If the Forts
held by the Prussians are given up to the
Government troops, it will gently facilitate
the isolation of Paris, which now seems to
be the purpose Of the Government. The
fighting has been severe during the past
week. Menotti Garibaldi is reported to
have given up his command in the insurgent
forces ard will return to Italy. A truce,
to bury the dead, had been commenced
The Free Masons of Paris, sought to bring
about general armistice but failed. Theirs
asserted that the commune would never be
recognized by the Government.
The cannonading from Fort Valerien for
several days has been very heavy and the
replies of the insurgents have been very
weak The government troops are being
reinforced daily
President Theirs says the concentration
of troops is nearly complete and great
operations will soon commence It is said
to be the intention Of Theirs to commence
the bombardment of Paris as soon as the
forts east and north Of the city are delivered
by the Prussians.
The insurgents made sortie on Sunday
but were repuIsed after gaining slight ad-
vantage.
A strong reaction is reported to have sat in
IN favor of the restoration of Napoleon.
We have received the catalogue Of the