The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-13
The Unwritten Law.

Senator Bayard sustained his reputation as
scholar and statesman in his recent grafton
in which he vindicated the Democratic prin.
cple Of the relations which govern our ma.
tional life, and the separation Of the powers
of the National and State Governments. II,
illustrated great truth in stating
THAT liberty must rest upon moral rath.
er than political basis, and does not consist
in charters or statutes, but has real security
in the peace and happiness, the independents,
and elevation of mind which it brings to sucf
as are capable Of truly ,comprehending anC
enjoying its delights, which once tasted, Gre
ate a healthy thirst, which nothing but pure
fountains can satisfy" ....
The Senator does not believe in paterna
government which maintains an open Treas
ury, to be raided, under the specious plet
of local benefits, by importunate and dar
ing spectators. He believes in careful
ly restricting State and Federal authority {,
their respective Jurisdictions, and sustainin
each in its sphere. Never overlooking tn,
need of spirit of harmony and cooperation
between the two"
lie administers q proper rebuke to Sher
man, our General-in Chief, who recently an
nounced that without the army, the Ameri
can people would be mob" To which Sen
ator Bayard remarks
at would be difficult in the same compass,
Of words to confuse cause and effect NOR
completely, or to conceive more thorough
un-Amercan condition of mind than such
remark would seem to indicate. Any gov
ernment that depends for its peace and orde
upon its standing army is unworthy the nam
of a government of laws and the sooner
gives way to another system the better for it
inhabitants 1t is fundamental principle i
our system that the military should be at al
times and strictly subordinate to the civil au
thority, and this has been so often apparent,
overlooked or disregarded in the abnorma
events OF the last ten years that we cannot b
altogether surprised by the unconscious rev
elation of military misapprehension to whicl
| have referred. 1t is, however, one of TIN
marks of the times and should be noted, for
betrays want of comprehension of the tru
principles upon which our Government is es
tablished, and under which alone it can b
successfully maintained. Let it never be for
gotten that ours is wholly voluntary system
that its true strength comes from the people
whose control is self-generated and is from
within, and that for the use of mere cocrciv
power, which governs us from without W
have no machinery of government whatever.
There exists unfortunately in this countr
a large number Of people, whose eyes are ye
filed with the glitter of the sword, and NOR
attracted to the soldier than the statesman
who would rather support General Sherma
for the highest civil office, although betrayn
a want of comprehension of the true princi
pies upon which our government is establish
ed, and under which alone, it can be success
fully maintained" than the most thoroug
statesman of the country. The declaratio
Of General Sherman in season of repos,
must be credited to military training an
tolerated in victorious General; but it cal
not be forgotten or excused, should gratitud
towards this military chieftan take the shap
of tender of the control Of the civil govern
ment. Senator Bayard has tersely but cearl
stated the difference and the danger, even
the American people were not successfully in
pressed with the fact by the experience of tn
eight years of Grant. .-Pitsburg Post.