The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-04-03

States not athrming the eternal euuu
rance Of q form OF government, but
asserting the right of the people to alter
or abolish it. My worthy and distin'
euished friend clings to the Language
adopted by his committee with great
tenacity; they are eleven in number
/ and their intelligence none can contro-
vert; but my committee ia larger than
his; it numbers over twenty; it is not
acommittee OF individuals, but of States,
and do not think it would be too great
a demand to request him to yield TO
them. He had doubtless craftsman
that was expert, and the confirmation
of the committee adds to its weight, but
trust he will not deem it offensive in
me If 1 avow my preference for
Thomas Jefferson, Endorsed by all the
illustrious signers Of the Declaration OF
independence. Ny friends affection
for his report is that of father for his
child. Whilst he does not dissent from
the doctrines Of the Declaration oil
independence, he tells US that his report
maintains the exact sentiments, so that
we would sacrifice nothing in principle
by accepting the substitute. Many OF
us think his report will not bear his own
Interpretation Of it; it has never gone
to the country; he cannot tell how
others may interpret it; and vet will be
insist upon taking it in place OF one
subject to his own Interpretation and
which is understood by all the world,
and that, too, whilst many OF us think
his means just the reverse OF what he
does?
Do my Democratic friends fear to use
the language Of the Declaration, and
whom do they fear? Are they not fleeing
from the shadow OF a shade? They
certainly cannot fear the Republican
party, for in the very States where their
power is greatest, they have no such a
provision in their Constitution as the
one sought to be placed in ours. Do
they fear the Republicans in this
1House? Why the eminent and worthy
| gentleman from Monongalia, who de-
dominates his little band as the Twelve
| Apostles, tells you plainly that war has
| not abrogated or repealed the Declare
ton of independence. but on the con-
trary, has only brought its principles
into practical operation. He goes fur
Their than | have gone, and tells you
that he would he even pleased to see
inserted in our fundamental law, that
governments long established will not
be changed for Slight and transient
causes; showing thereby that the ghost
of secession does not disturb his sleep
ing hours. Do you think after this,
his party could use this weapon against
YOU? Why, sir, all fingers point to
him az unerringly as the needle points
to the pole, as the Apostle Peter, the
very head and front OF the Twelve.
The great Republican party of the
States is estopped from complaining
against you; in your own State they are
estopped by the Apostle Peter, and
what have you now to fear? Do you
wish to parade your loyalty before the
General Government. Will they ap-
preciate your offering? will they exalt
YOU in their estimation? will they
thank YOU? and hail you as worthy
sons OF worthy sires? Or will they tell
YOU that you have licked the top Of the
boot, now to please lick the bottom?
Oh We men OF Athens, will you in
this nineteenth century, on the ldes OF
March, and in the church Of the living
God. nullify the Declaration OF indie
pendence an instrument that tyrants
dare not gainsay, and wherever the love
of freedom dwelIs is held up to the gaze
of admring man as the map Of national
liberty. Nullity it not in an immaterIal
but in most vital po;nt, that very part
which breathed into you the breath OF
| life as a nation.
Look, sir, above the head OF YOUR
President, and behold the flag OF your
country. With the stripes and without
the stars, who would own it as his
bunting? These represent the full
powers OF your Government; the pow.
er of the States united, and the power Of
the States distinct. Strike out the
stripes, and you'll have anarchy; strike
out the stars, and you will have conso!'
idation
The great solar system is preserved
by means OF the centrifugal and CEN
tripetal forces. the sun is immovably
fixed in the centre and the planets re-
volve around it, held in their orbits 10y
means of these forces. One, if it oper-
ated alone, would cause the planets to
tly oil in straight lines and wander IN
infinite space; the other, il it acted
alone wonld cause them to rush upon
the centre and produce wreck Of mat
ter aud crush of worlds; bat oper-
atins each ~ a check upon the O;her,
causes them to move around their great
common centre, in their resplendent
orbits, with Il regularity and precision
that nuts To shame the works OF mortal
man. Our General Government fifty
represents this great central orb; the
State Governments, the planets revolv-
ing around it, held in their orbits by
the delegated powers to the General
Government and the reserved powers OF
the States. Strike down the granted
powers, and the States will fly into an
archv; strike down the reserved pow.
ers, and they will rush into consolida-
ton, and the heel OF despotism will he
set down on the dearest rights OF man
If YOU attempt an encroachment on
the granted powers l will resist you.
If YOU attempt an encroachment on the
reserved right Of the States will resist
YOU. | have been compelled once in
nv lie to make some departure from
principle, and take sides with an antag.
onist nearest nv own opinion. shall
do so no more. Many OF US on this
principle become bloody antagonists,
when in fact there was but slight differ.
enee in our zeal opinions, much less