The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-04-30

litical society begets others of like na-
ture, and a people who will give them
selves up to them are moved by unseen
forces to unanticipated ends. The assas-
sassin covets the dark The honest man
faces the sun.
So far as the principles of the oTgani-
zation are made known in the circular
before us, they are in the main unobjec-
tionable. but severe. The proposition
that there are certain fundamental doc
Irines of government which are inner
rently, absolutely and self-evidently
right, and cannot be made wrong by the
adverse opinion or decision of any ma
jority however large, is stoutly affirmed.
One of these absolutely right things is
the supremacy of the National Govern
ment over all State, territorial and mu-
nicipal subdivisions. One of the abso-
lutely wrong things is the heresy OF
State Sovereignty, and all attempts to
practically apply it "are to be crushed
out by force in the future as they have
been in the past, and treason and rebel
lion are to be punished by death and
con6seation of property"
Another of the absolutely right things
is declared to be the perfect equality Of
all men before the law, with protection
to persons and property.
The Holy League pledges itself to ex'
tend the Monroe doctrine to every inch
of the American Continent, and declares
il TO be the duty of the Government tc
assist any people of this Continent or it
islands that shall desire TO establish it'
independence. Now, ifthere were enough
Holy Leaguers, this annunciation of &
great principle might be soul-strength
ening to the struggling patriots in Cuba
but az il is not likely the League will be
come sufficiently powerful to direct the
administration Of internal affairs till the
twentieth century, we shonld recon-
mend as the speediest mode of applying
the doctrine as the League understand
it, that each Holy Lacquer pick up hii
musket, go over to Cuba and help in the
pleasant amusement of shooting. tbs
Spanish oppressors.
Here is q declaration, however, tina
means business at home, and we give i
in full.
"5. Opposition to all churches, re
Iigions and sects acknowledging, in tenn
p0ral matters, any authority outside thu
limits Of this country, or owing any al
leeiance not consistent with their allie
| glance to this Government. No creed
should be IN conflict with the laws of th'
land. Beyond tins, unlimited religion
liberty and federation for every form o
divine worship"
The Leaguers want the army and ma
w put on footing that will be formi
dable to foreign enemies and domesti
disturbers, and oppose any further re
ductions from considerations of petit.
economy.
There seems to be a disposition t.
hedge on the universal ballot. The dis
| franchisement of Ignorance, incapacity
vice and pauperism," is declared 10 b.
one of the objects of the League. Th'
exercise of the ballot is pronounced Il
be a privilege. not a natural right, anc
to be withholden from those who vii
not use it intelligently and for the gener
al welfare. We fear, if this principl
were applied, a small minority of tn
people would do the voting, and strictl.
applied some members of the Hol..
League might be excluded from tn
party.
The Peers of Ameica are modest
They don't propose independent politica
action. They will sit securely alvft ant
survey the field Of conflict, and havin
reviewed it, measured the strength q
the com mbatants, and studied their aim
and objects, will descend invisibly a
the gods did upon the plains of Troy
while Zeus held an equal balance, to as
sist that party and those candidates VIII
commend themselves by their virtues an
intentions most cordially to the immaC
ulate Peers. So the politicians mus
keep their eyes open, or something vii
drop, as mysterious and from as nnae
countable source az the kissing bolide
that startle the rustic as he wearily plod
his homeward way in the twilight.