National Republican., 1877-01-26
VIII Southern Democrats Rise Above Party
anl Strile Bla.,. for I,:i,clIaic2

and Strike Blow for Principle?
The National Democratic party, by Its teach
lngs and advocacy Of State sovereignty, melted
the Southern Democrats to undertake the late
civil war for the purpose Of destroying this Gov
ernment, justIfying themselves with the argu.
ment, based upon false logic, that we had no
nation, only compact of States, and that the
States were the creators, to be destroyed at the
will, whim caprice Of the several States, or Of
any number Of them. The opposite national
party held, on the contrary, that the sacred con.
tract, submitted to and ratified by the people,
thus created q nation, which could be dissolved
only upon the established and universally con-
ceded principle of law, to wit: tho consent OF all
the parties thereto So, when LEFT to that inal
arbitrament of arms, the secession party per Sc
the Jen Davis-Yancy- -Tombs party-fought he.
cause of their belief in State sovereignty. The
opposition party OF the South-the Unlon-Jack-
SON. Douglas Democrats, and all oldline wings
who did not believe in State sovereignty, but did
believe in the rights Of the States, as specially
delegated by the ConstltutiOn-only consented
to the war and Joined their section upon the Idea
Of the inherent right of revolution.
This opposition party had for Its leaders in tho
South at that time many who are now members
of Congress from that scction-vlz., Hon. Ben. II.
Hill, Col. Casey Young, Hon. d. b. CulbersoR,
Ex-Governor Throckmorton, and others. To
them and to those educated to believe in and
revere our great American system OF government
We look for bold and open dlssent-a fearless
disapproval-of this mixed tribunal bill, which
provides practically for the destruction Of the
rights Of the several States specifically delegated
by the Constitution to create an Electoral College
We claim that, by tho authority OF the Constitu-
tion, the several States, each acting for Itself
through Its Legislature or by the voice OF its
people, with q State-created returning board, or
reviewing board, not in conflict with the Constltu
tlon, can elect or select the members Of this col.
"A npia Aff fhar tinn
or act Of Congress authorizing review Of the
action Of this college, OF tho acts Of these States
in relation thereto, is justtabe constitutional
Then its members so elected are legal officers,
and their action Is final, and subject TO review.
To establish this national returning board
this mixed tribunal-is to make q precedent &C.
knowledging the right Of the National Govern.
ment to review oil acts Of the States, notwith-
standing they are done by special provisions Of
the Constitution.
Acknowledge this, by this one act of innova.
tion and 1t will be perfectly consistent and logi.
cal to say the States have no rights under the
Constitution except those held temporarily by
consent of the National Government.
Then 1t follows that an act Of Congress might
sweep from existence all State lines and State
governments, and blot out one half Of the Ameri-
can system.
Now upon this great and grave occasion It is
expected Of the old Jackson. Douglas Democrats
and wings Of the South TO put forward their
orators, Alexander H. stephens, Ben II. Hill, 7.
b. CulbersOn, and others Of their ilk, to thwart
the measures Of the rampant time.servers, and
prevent this sad and irremediable work Of de-
structlon. Now Is the time for these old Union
and constitutional leaders to show their ability
| and statesmanship, their sagacity and patriot
ism, for the time has surely come when they must
| rally around the old nucleus of the South and
form a compact party that will drive to the wall
the old secession lovers and liberty haters, and
| thus place the South in harmony and accord with
| the national party now defending and protecting
| this great American system Of government.
| BE assured that, II undertaken every power
| and opportunity possible will bo rendered you
and your associates for timely and gallant work.
II you ialer now, you forget your early yinstruc-
tIon, ialsiiy your own teachings, and inscribe In
our national history your uttor inconsistency.
Soon will be heard again the rallying cry Of the
| old conservatives Of the South calling together
the statesmen and patriots, to unite In putting to
shame the party attempting to do this great
| wrong. Then how this one act of omission will
hang about your necks like milestone, and you
| be cast aside as unfit for the emergency.
BE not bul.dozed by partisan makeshins, but
to the front, as men, declare your convictions and
| do battle against all innovations Of designing
men against the peoples great Magma Charta-
| the dearest palladium Of our rights. Hill, Ste
phens, CulbersoD, Young, you are expected at the
'front.' The people, irrespective Of late party az
nllatiOns, are waiting to hear you sound the
alarm.
The stiffness betokens n storm of Indignation
never to be forgotten by those who participate
In or consent to tho preparation Of the crime
against constitutional liberty,
The question as to who shall he the President
for the next four years Is dwarfed into insIgnih
| cunce by this bold attempt Of selfish men to rcyO'
lutuuige and destroy this great Renuhlir,
Tue liberties Of all the people Of this nation arc