The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-11

With the mp0teRnCat0n1 n6a9 OF
the cause. Nothing will hasten action
in this direction more than the passage
by Congress ,of this bill. orany like L,
because its unnecessary and irritating
effects will strike chords which will
awaken opposition in every State OF
the Union from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and from the Lakes to the Gulf.
a few words upon another point.
The gentleman from Massachusetts
General Butler) who has charge of this
visions, the other day. 10 the citizen.
of which, it seemed from his remarks,
he wished to see established by this Go
vernment We would do we'll to con-
slider that matter somewhat. By doing
80, perhaps, we may profit by our pains
and trouble. The great difference bo.
tween this republic and that of Rome
we should never lose sight OF. Ours is
q Federal republic-that Of Rome was q
single republic. In extending her ju-
risdictiOn over neighboring States or
kingdoms, Rome did not recognize that
federativo principle upon which alone
ours extends, and upon which oil af1iliat-
ing neighboring States become incorpo.
rated into our Union. Rome did not
allow the peoples of other separate and
distinct nations coming under the pro-
teotlon OF her eagles, ns to general mat
ters, to govern themselves in their local
affairs, as their own best interests might
dictate to them; but she extended over
them the absolute dominion OF ono
single republic, and thus enlarged her
limits beyond her capacity to ennct just
and wise municipal laws for 30 vast
country. She thus necessarily became
q centralized empire, with its necessary
ultimate result-despotism! To politi-
cal organisms, Us with all other separate
organising, either animal or vegetable,
there is normal limit beyond which
the vital functions cannot be performed.
When this limit is from any cause
trauHcended decay ensues, and with it
deathi Hence the deony aud downfall
of Rome, which is truly attributable to
her accumulated weight of empire.
And SO huge was the overgrown carcass,
when the vital functions ceased to beat
at the heart, and final dissolution came
upon so immense mass of materials,
that such pestiferous stenoh went up
from the deoomposing elements as sick
ened the whole political world, and
brought on paralysis of civilization
for centuries. This is the period known
as the dark ages.
Not SO will it be with US, if We eschew
the example of Rolnc, both as to the
character of her citizenship and the na-
ture OF her single republic centraliza.
ton, and adhere steadfastly to tho prin-
ciples of our fathers. In the workings
OF our complex system under our Fede.
raj republic, ench State is q distinct po.
litical organism, retaining in itself nll
the vital powers of individual State CO.
vernment and development; while to oil
the States. in joint Congress assembled,
are delegated the exercise of such
powers, aud such only. as relate to extra
State and foreign affairs. The States
are each perfect political organisms,
with oil the functions of perfect govern
ment in themselves, respectively. on oil
matters over which they have not as-
signed jurisdiction to tho Federal head.
or on which they have not restrained
themselves by joint covenant in mutual
prohibitions upon themselves. Under
this system, adhered to, no danger need
be apprehended from any extent to
which the limits of our boundary may
so, or to any extent to which the num-
ber Of States may swell. For tn, main
tenancc Of this model nud most wonder
full system OF government, in it's orgi-
nal purity aud integrity. every we'll
wisher OF his country should PIT forth
his utmost effort.
Let us not do, by tho passage OF This
bill, what our highest judicial tribunal
has said we have no rightful power to
do. If you who call yourselves Repub-
lioans shall. in obedience to what you
consider party behest, pass it in the
vain expectation that the Republican
principles of the old aud truc Jefferson
ian school arc dead. be assured you are
indulaing in a fatal delusion. The old
Jeffersonian Democratic Republican
principles are not dead, aud will never
die so long as true devotee OF liborty
lives. They may be buried for period,
as Magma Charia was troaden under
foot in England for moro than half
century; but these principles will come
up with renewed energy, US did those OF
4N.gma CAarta. aud that, too, at no dis.
tant day. Old Jeffsrsonian Democratic-
Republican principles dead, indeed
When the tides of ocean coase to ebb
and flow-when the winds of Heaven
are hushed into perpetual silenco-when
the clouds no longer thnnder-vban