Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-05-15

Reviving Q Pernicious Doctrine.

A
| II there be Any principle underlying the
schemes OF legislation brought forward by
the DeMoc rats ct Washington it 10 that the
National Government IL AN oppressive and
| aggressive power, menRceug the liberties
| of the people, power which the people
| representatives 10 Congress are in duty
| bound TO hamper and cripple as much as
| possible. The President, rs the Chief Min
lister OF that dangerous power, must not be
| permitted TO perform the functions Of hi.
| Office with only the restraints of existing
| laws, but new statutes must be devised u.
fetters for his hands and pitfalls for his
feet. The National Army. which In all IL
glorious history OF a -huadred years has
never manifested the slightest disposition
In interfere with popular right, must be
treated like an ait~u and hostile force, and
watched with jealous suspicion lest 1t should
seek Ia subvert civil government. la
SHORT. the theory on which the Democrats
are proceeding is tina, there is something
10 the structure aud power OF the United
States Government inimicsl To the interests
and privileges of the citizen The theory
goes still further. and msintains, In effect.
that the will of the citizen Is chiefly ex
pressed through. and his right. are chiefly
protected by. his State Government; that
there must necessarily exist "A more or
less active zntagonism between State and
FEEDER al power. and that the welfare OF the
people will be best subserved by weaken
IN. the latter aud strengtheDin. the form
ct.
Now there Is nothing new ip all this. IL
Is simply a revival Of the old State Sover-
eighty doctrine under a very thin disguise
Of snXlety about popular rights. Thst
doctrine has never been relnQUished by
Southern statesmen. aud 1t IL the Southern
statesmen who are now, As OF old, shaping
the course OF the Democratic party. The
hard knocks Of the war failed TO beat into
them the idea that this Is a nation. and
they are now persistently at work trying
to repeal all the legislation adopted to
strengthen the Nationsl authority, in order
that they may once more set up the doc
trine that We are only a coniederacy OF In
dependent States. The southern Demo
crst Is true Bourbon. who learns moth
log and forge,s nothing. and he still cher
shes the theory OF Calhoun with undated
devotion. As to the Northern Democrat,
he appears 10 be about IS much Of dough
face as In the old slavery days, and il CON
tented 10 take his political gospel Al the
feet OF his Southern leaders. He may not
have the intelligence TO see that his party
10 being constantly committed TO reassef-
ton OF the vicious doctrine which brought
about the rebellion, but IL Is more proba-
bic that he Is utterly careless OF principles
or consequences so long as there Is held
out to bin n fair prospect OF the enjoy
merit OF the spoiIs of Office by a union with
the Solid South.
II Northern Democratic politicians are
Indifferent to the revival Of the dangerous
dogma that the State Is superior 10 the Ma
usn. the great body Of loyal. patriotic citi-
zens are not. They view with alarm this
new assertion OF theories that we're las; de-
family set forth In Congress Ia the days of
Toomb.. Floyd. Slidell and JEFF Davis.
When they see southern States nulbiylng
the elec,ioa laws. aud Southern Congress
men seeking 10 letter the. Army aud 10
hamper the Chief Magistrate 80 that he
cannot obey thc Constitution. which re-
Quires him 10 take care that the law, be
faithfully executed" II looks to them a. II
there were danger OF history repes,ing it.
self Not with their consent will the stage
be set for a repetition OF the tragedy Of
lsGl. They Will permit no confederate sys-
ten of government to be established al
Washington. They believe the United
States to be 4 Nation. clothed with full
powers 10 enforce ITS laws, aud they pro-
tcst against those powers being diminished
one iota. They hold that the Nation Is the
creation of the people, and the highest cX-
preston OF their will, aud the only sover-
eighty within its borders; aud they Will
seize every opportunity, whether Il be at
Township, State or National elections. TO
reouke the party that has the efrontery 10
Haunt again In the face Of the country the
political heresy which led US into 4 bloody
war.