Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-11-21
ESTABLISHED CHARLEsFoWN. W. VA TUESDAY NOVEMBER
Spirit of Jeffcrsm,
ChsrlestOwn, jefferson county, We.t Va.
TUESDAY HURyIxG. SOYENBER2I, 1876.
IMPEACHMENTS,

Although the coming session of Congress
will expire the 81 OF March, and thus
allow less time than is needed for continuing
the work of reform by thorough reduction
OF the public expenditures. still there are cer>
tain grave duties that must not be omitted.
The President, his Attorney General, aud
his Secretary of War, to say nothing of the
other members OF the Cabinet have. to clTec,
partisan object, dcfed the plain letter of
the Constitution, outraged the laws of the
land, and broken down all the barriers that
have heretofore stood as a protection to the
States against Executive usurpation.
If Louis Napote"u, in the day of his
greatest power, had attempted what Grant
has recently done in broad day, and without
the least indirection, it would have cost him
his crown, and probably his head The Gar
of Russia, autocra; as he is. would not dare
t" try similar experiment on the forbcar-
ance of his subjects. What no monarch in
the Old World would risk, the President of
the United States has not scrurlcd 10 DO, as
if in defiance and mockery of the free insti>
sutions which he has sworn to support.
Immunity for bayouet rule in Louisiana,
where soldiers with arms in their hands over
threw Government and Legislature fairly
aud legally elected by the people, and sub
stituted frauds for both, euh0dened Grant
in his recent invasion Of South Carolnn, to
aid the election of the most corruut crew that
ever disgraced the name of civilized govern
ment. So, too, in Virginia, in Louisiana. in
Mississippi, ard other Southern States. where
Federal troops have been thrown. with the
sole object of intimidating peaceful voters.
and of holding the color line unhrokcn for
third term of Grautism in the name OF Hayes.
Snneradded tn these owtragcs. Marshals of
the United States and their deputies in niue
cases out of ten the mcrest creatures of power,
aud without auy responsibility but to their
masters at Washington, Lave been instructed
to take possession Of the polls, to disregard
the State laws aud to assume a supreme police
control over the elections, all in the teeth Of
the solemn Judgment Of our highest judicial
tribunal
When the gravity of such acts is consid-
cred. and their dangerous tendency is props
eEty estimated. the wonder is thut the people
have not risen up in ,Leir might and hurled
these vulgar usurpcrs from the trusts thoy
have betrayed aud the places they dishonored.
Step by step, backed by formidable party,
Grant and his concern have advanced toward
a military despu,iSm. On the eve of Pres
idential election they throw eli the thin mask
reasonable designs, and convert the army.
after the fashion of consPiring commanders
in Mexico and South America, into their per-
soual instrument.
II tins conspiracy against the public lib
critics is allowed to pass UNPUBLISHED now, a
precedent will be admitted that some day may
stab the heart Of the republic All business
of the coming session shculd be secondary to
that which looks to the integrity of the Com
stitu'ion and a faithful execution of the laws.
Hence, we hcTc to see Grant, TAFT. Cameron,
and their associates in this plot, brought
before the bsr of the House of Represcnta>
tIves and imPcHchod for high crimes and mis-
demeanors. Ii partisan Senate shall see fl
to acqu them, so be it But they should be
branded with iuianIy, if for no other reason,
in order that the world may see thGt VIC Of
this generation have not forgotten the lessons
of our fathers. and are not willing 10 see the
work OF their hands stricken down without
an effort to preserve it t-NeI1 Jo,k Sun.