The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-07-30
TME RADICAL CONGREsSHONAL
"a ADDRESS.

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We continue to- day our review of the adj
dress 81 the Radical Congressman, headed
by Gen. Logan. In our last issue we
proved from the history of the United
States that our government was more pow
erful and respected under Democratic than
any other rule; and that all the important
acquisitions of territory were made while
Democrats guided the ship of State. Pass
ing over the twaddle of the address about
the finances and legislation just preceding
the war, we come down to the secession Of
the Southern States, the capture of Fort
Sumter, and the call for troops by Lin.
coin. The very commencement of Rad
ical rule in the United States was
inaugurated by violation Of the
Constitution. Lincoln, who had been
elected upon a platform which denied to
the South her reserved nights, went into
Office under the solemn conviction that
some great fatality would befall him before
his administration should end. HIS con-
science was not at rest He knew that
when there was such an assumption of
power, resistance of a serious character
would be made. But he shook off the feel
ing and disregarded the warning. South
Carolina demanded the surrender of Fort
Sumter; Major Anderson resisted; Beaure-
gard reduced the fort. What then did the
President do Did he even attempt to
follow the Constitution No; he called
for seventy-fve thousand volunteers with
as much boldness as if he had been the
autocrat of all the Russias. Did
he have the right Let US see.
The Constitution says, in article one, sec
ton eight: "The Congress. shall have
power to declare war, grant letters of
marque and reprisal, and make rules con-
corning captures on land and water; to raise
and support armiess Did he summon
Congress to meet and determine what should
be done2 No. Fire was lopened upon
Sumter on April 12, and Major Anderson
surrendered on the thirteenth. On the IF
teenth the President issued a proclamation,
calling for seventy-6ve thousand volunteer
soldiers, and sumnioning Congress to meet
upon the fourth Of July. Was there ever
more monstrous usurpation of power by
any PRESIDENT Queen Victoria would
never have dared to do such an act without
the sanction of Parliament. But his admirers
and supporters say that it was an act Of ne
cessity, and required prompt action that
the life of thenatien was at stake, and he
was therefore justified in taking the respon-
sibility in his own hands. Now let US see II
he really was only intent on the salvation
of the Union; and only presumed to call
for troops while Congress was assembling,
when his acts could be approved. The call
for troops was made on the fifteenth Of
April; Congress was called to meet The
fourth Of July. Where is the excuse fol-
such delay No, he intended that his policy
should be SO fully under way when Con-
gress should meet that they would not dare
to refuse an Endorsement Of his acts. Why
did he not call Congress to meet at the CAPT
tai at the very shortest notIceg Because il
did not suit him and his coworkors. Fol-
such an assumption Of power, Queen VIC
toria would have lost her head. And yet
in this address they dare to appeal TO his
tory; dare to point to the manner in which
the government has been administered since
they came into power. When they thus in
woke the truth, they must DO willing to be
judged BY the record and shall be, their
whining hypocrisy to the contrary, not
withstanding.
Summing up the results Of the WAT, thead-
dress contains the following:
race numbering millions has beer
raised from the condition OF chattels e
that of man. Human rights have gained
the sanction Of three new chapters added
/ 70 the National Constitution. Murder or
panized in several States, bearing the nam.
Of Ku-Klux, wearing the gafb and plying
the trade Of fiends, bas been exposed, con
victed, punished. fia
Wehave no argumentto makeagainst th'
freedom Of the negroes; but the trainers o.
the address might have passed it over in I
different spirit. The manner Of freeing then
does not accord with justice, and is bio
upon the government. Great Britain, al
though the leader Of aboliiionism, com
pensaied her subjects for their slaves
before they were set free. Blu
our Radical goverament, with cool eiiron
terry only equaled By those who claim tina