The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-09
ruE OLD AND NKw LANDmARKs.

$1,000
There seems to be at this time no well
and prominently marked features in the pO-
Iitical and social world, except with one
party. The old political parties, as they
existed in the days Of Jackson, Calhoun,
Clay and Webster were broadly and plainly
marked; and the battles upon the hastings
and in the halls Of Congress were such.-as
tn draw out the most beautiful and impas-
stoned bursts Of elOquence, as well as cogent
reasoning. Those were days of intellectual
giants. When the bank, tariff, and State
sovereignty questions were discussed, the
world looked on and listened with admira-
ton and wonder. II we may be permitted
to borrow an illustration, Thunder an
sWered Thunder, and all Olympus to the
centre shook" When Mr. Calhoun intro
duced into the United States Senate
his celebrated resolutions in regard to
the sovereignty Of the States and
their reserved rights, Mr.. Webster, holding
opposite views, attempted TO overthrow the
position Of Mr.. Calhoun, and made speech
Of so much power that his friends conf
IDENTIFY believed that Mr.. Calhoun could
never successfully reply But how greatly
mistaken, the subsequent views Of Mr.. Web
ster himself win attest. When Mr.. Cal
hOun closed his reply and sat down, all
were on the tip-tOe of expectation to hear
the great expOunder utterly demolish him.
But with the exception of a few words dis
claiming any unkind feelings to Mr.. Cal
houn, and explaining how he had used the
term constitutional compact in 1880,
and attempting to break the full force and
effect of some of the blows, he never re-
piled. On the contrary, there is evidence
that the powerful logic Of the great Carroll
MAN produced a change in Mr.. Webster's
own political views for, in a speech
made before the Supreme Court of
the United States in 1888, IN the case OF the
Bank Of Augusta v. Earle, he said that he
was mot prepared to say that the States
have no National sovereignty, and that
''the States of the Union, as States, are
subject to all the voluntary and customary
laws of nations" And in 1851, at Capon
Springs, Virginia, he made speech which
also gave evidence of change of views.
But gradually these old and well marked
issues began to give way before the false and
insidious one of "a higher law" doctrine In
which there were no issues at all except OPP
position to the Constitution of the United
States, which was termed "a league with
death and a covenant with HE'LL" The
poison had been we'll and thoroughly dissem-
mated, growing with the days and strength
ening with the years, soon to spring up ike |
''Banqou's ghost, " and spread its baneful eff
fects all over the land-resulting IN |
red handed, fratricidal war. Then con-
fusion, discord and blood rested heavily |
upon the land. And like mighty devasta-
ting storm, the whole country quaked be- |
meath the merciless blows which were given |
and returned. Exhaustion followed. But
little by little, the disintegrated masses
began to reunite as ships crew cast upon
the beach by the stormy sea. The broad |
and lofty peaks of the Constitution had
been shaken and had fallen. A new order
of things followed A new party had |
arisen from the debris of the " higher law"
doctrine. But as the fountain was impure, |
the stream could not be otherwise. The |
Republican party came into existence with
the doctrine of Capitalization and nationali- |
ty inscribed upon its banner. The tree is
known by its fruits. The verdict has been
rendered. But so crushing had been the
blows upon the Constitution of the United |
States that the Democratic party feared |
to assert its rights and principles. |
Instead of Selling the first opportunity |
to vindicate the all-saving power of its
the leaders skulked and tried,
under new names, to regain what was lost.
So that instead of openly and boldly de-
claring for State rights, low tariffs and
strict construction of the Constitution, thus |
restoring the government into the hands of |
the people, the true sovereigns of repubi-
can government, they ingloriOusly hid be-
hind other issues and attempted to defeat /
their well drilled and thoroughly organized |
opponents. The results were disastrous;
and again the old land marks were Obscured
by the false declarations of the party of
place and much power. But gradually De-
has regained strength, and the old
land marks begin to crop out again. Now,
however, new element has entered the
arena, and social problem is being thrust
upon the country by the party which sprnag
from the "higher law destructionists.
The Congress is called upon to undo
what God has dons-to make the black man
the equal sOcially, as well as politically, of the
white man. To this end the same party /
seeks to thrust the negro up and place him
in condition in which he can actually
claim and enjoy privileges which q white
man, under the same condition could not
claim. For instance, if the civil rights
bill should pass, the black man, although
covered all over with nth and Oermia, could
not be excluded from any hotel or steam
boat without subjecting the proprietor to
severe penalties, For it would be averred
that he was excluded on account Of color
and previous condition Of seryitude. Not
so in the case of the white man. Every one
is allowed to reject man, if he shall APP
pear in an Extensively filthy galb, as being
UNFIT 20 assoOlate with upon terms Of equal
ity. As yet, the tsm has not been fastened
upon our social organism, but it win require
wisdom to prevent it.