The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-01-10
True and False Republicanism- GRATIS
Browns Message.

Browns Message.
We are indebted to Governor Brown
of Missouri for copy of his annual
message to the Legislature Of that State
in which he discusses at its close, the
political situation, and gives his view:
OF what constitutes true and false Re-
publicanism. Governor Brown it will be
recollected is a moderate Republican
who was elected to office in Missouri by
an array Of moderate men of both par
ties, in O united and successful effort
against Radicalism backed by. the Ad'
miuistration. His views are then note.
worthy as being the expression Of the
Reform party of Missouri which seeks
to form the nucleus of great national
organization, which shall wrest the pow.
er of the Government from the present
corrupt administration, Introduce need
ed reform into every department of the
public service, and restore all the Con
stitutional restraints ond limitations OF
the Government of our fathers.
True Republicanism, according to
Governor Brown, asserts freedom and
equality to all men in their political re-
lations, limited by none of the accidents
of nativity, race or color; finding its
earliest expression in purely local organ
ization, but obtaining wider develope.
ment, and stronger guarantees in dele
gated representative authority. AT
every stage of development, it is sub
jected to proper constitutional restraints
which define its powers; and prescribe
the sphere in which it may accomplish
its proper work. 1t creates nothing
greater than itself-nothing self-con-
trolling-and delegates no authority
which may destroy either its whole or
any of its parts. Such is true Republi-
canism in its proper sense-a sense
which would never have been seriously
controverted, but for the Intervention of
the war, which suspended all civil func-
tions in the necessities of self-protection,
and thus established strong central
authority.
The false Republicanism of the day,
on the contrary, regards national power
as the central source from which all
authority must descend. 1t assumes
the war-making power, and over-rides
the civil law, and overthrows every con-
stitutional guarantee. 1t establishes
monopolies in trade, in finance, and in
the distribution of the public lands
creates unjust and unequal systems of
Observation-Disclosures candidates for office in
the States, and overawes the State cleo
tions by the military arm of the Gov
ernment-and above all justtfies its
encroachments by those Amendments to
the Constitution, which in truth convey
10 shadow of authority. 1t has taken
but the first step, which if unchecked,
necessarily leads to an entire subversion
.: State rights, and the establishment of
a central military despotism.
The plea for this encroachment upon
long cherished rights, and overthrow of
the Old constitutional safeguards is ne
cessity "the tyrant's piea"-the neces-
sity of maintaining the settlements of
the war, and protecting those rights of
color and race which were then guar
anteed. The falsity of the claim is
shown in Missouri itself, harrassed more
than any other during the war, and
where another policy has been pursued,
and where every right of the slave has
been guaranteed, and every civil fran
chise protected. On the contrary Re
construction at the South has been a
failure. 1thas failed if for no other reason
that it has sought to overthrow the sem
timent of local freedom which prevails
everywhere-those forms of political
life, which are essential to the preserva-
tion of liberty.
The movement in Missouri, as Cover
nor Brown remarks, is significant and
hopefuI-significant, as setting forth the
overthrow of domination which was
part and parcel of that, which for six
years of peace has failed to restore tram
guilty to the country-hopeful as show
ing the practicability of combining the
elements of opposition, which should
lead to more extended deliverance.
To Missouri We look then for our leaders
in this new crusade against Radical
misrule.: