American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-10-02


Against Republican Methods and Meas
| urcs---A Return to the Government "a
| Framed by our Fathers Essential to Gu
| Country's Peace and Prosperity.
Governor Seymour recently delivered
| political address to his fellow-townsmen q
| Utica, n. Y, from which we make the fol
lowing extracts, regretting that want o
| space will not enable us TO give in full the
| words of wisdom that fell from the lips o
| the ''old man eloquent" Governor Seymour
| said:
| cit must not be forgotten that this Govern
mcnt is no longer the simple machinery it was
| in the early days of the Republic TIL,
bucoiic age of America is over. The interests
the Government has to deal with no long,
er those of small number of agricultural
communities, with here and there IA CONNER
cial town. They are the interests of nearly
fifty millions of people spread over an inn
mense surface, with occupations, pursuits
and industries of endless variety and great
magnitude; large cities with elements of pop
ui:l'iou scarcely known here in he early DAYS
and all these producing aspirations and in :
tcrcsts so pushing, powerful and complicated
to the government TiphtfiIIv or wrdpngf ,s
that the requirements of craftsmanship de-
manded in this age far different from
TSese are not my words r If had uttered
them, it would be felt that 1 was making Il
harsh charge against the Administration.
They are the statements put forth by of
its officials, who speaks from his experience
formerly had n seat i'll the Senate. This dec
laratiOn made by Mr.. Schurz is officiali in char
and will rejoice the enemies of our Govern
ment, while it MOI titles the American people.
The speech from which this extract was taken
was made as a leading one in this canvass
with II view of directing its discussions. 1t was
received with applause by the journals of the
Republican party, and by the leading mem
beers OF that organization. Its startling decla-
rations force upon our minds the questions
Are the disorders, the temptations, and the
confusion which press our Government due
to its character and structure, or to the man
ner in which it administered? No other
the pcndint, contest. If it is true that the diff
ficuties in the way of an honest conduct of
our affairs great that there must be
other qualifications for the Presidency of the
United States than those, OF intelliuence non
esty, and patriotism; if our Government can
only be carried on by an exceptional man,
who may not always be at our command, then
we have undergone II revolution. When
are told that IL statesman is essential in the
condition of our affairs, it disturbs minds
usual skill is needed in our families. 1t means
disease and danger. They usually the
words we hear but little while before the
Grape upon our doors informs our neighbors
OF the sad result. Ii our Government is in
nifty millions of people and their varied inter
ests ana pursuits, 1t is clear that when that
population within the lifetime of many before
me shall have grown to one hundred million
and the complicated interests of our country
are multiplied four fold. that our Government
must be overwhelmed or there must be
marked reform i'll its conduct. This is not n
remote or uncertain danger. 1t is one that we
must confront now; it already taxes our in
dustry and endan gers our prosperity.
EVILS NOT DUE TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Is this state OF affairs due to the structure
of our Government or to they way it has been
administered? 1t is not necessary ut this
time that we pcrplex ourselves with questions
about the way our Constitution WAS adopted.
whether it was formed by a compact between
the States. or by the people of states, or by
pacity, it is enough for our purpose that it is
an indissolublc bond of union that it makes n
General Government, aud it recognizes the
rights of States and of persons; that all these
are equally sacred; the dissolution of tine
power, or the wiping out of lines which limit
their respective jurisdictions, would each be
equally revolutionary and disastrous. When
We read the Constitution we find 1t makes the
most conservative government in existence;
that. beyond any other system, it protects the
rights OF persons and of ninorities. 1t meas
ukes out With careful terms the juriscfctionof
Congress. 1t gives to each citizen rights of
person, OF property, OF conscience, and of
speech, SO well guarded that single man may,
with regard to them, defy the Government,
although it may act under the impulses of
every citizen but himself. 1t places the Presi- |
dent, and Congress, and States under the su
pervision OF the Judiciary. This is to act as
an impartial arbter between them. and upon
all questions which concern the jurisdiction
or the rights of either This method OF de-
filming and securing the rights of ali depart
ments, and the liberties of the people, is I'M
in Britain, proud of what it calls its constitu-
tIonal law, and OF the protection which is |
thrown around its citizens. Parliament can, if |
1t VIII, unjustly destroy life, liberty and prop
erty; there is no power to resist its DEGREES. |
The Judiciary itself is but instrument to |
whatthey term their constitutional principles |
Here an unconstitutional law is a dead law. |
ABUSES CAUSED by THE REPUBLICANS.
As TO the evils, corruptions and abuses which |
are set forth by MIR, SchurZ, let us see the |
regard to them. What are those doing who
have been intrusted with the duties of ad-
We have seen that the methods of those who
have controlled public affairs and not the
Constitution of the United States have caused
the dangers which threaten us. In the first
place the candidate of the Republican party
openly expressed his Joy that Congress has
thus enlarged its jurisdiction. and, TO use his
own phrase, he is glad "that &c grarifates to-
rard more poacer." He not only wishes the Gov
eminent to gain this, but he is willing that it
should do 50 by indirection and subtle con
struction. He does not say as he should do if
he seeks change in the character of our
Government that it should be made by open
and direct amendments, but he tries to bring
it about by the use of doubtful phrases. I
speak particularly about his position, as he is
now the exponent of the great party which
has placed him I'm nomination for the Presi-
side are those that hold places as Senators or
rs Cabinet Ministers, or important positions
them in fact, and in some FORM ask that their
powers should be increased by taking from
say III effect, Give to us your rights of making
laws for yourselves; we can take care of your
Tor jurisdiction for the General Government
IS IA demand for the surrender of rights by the
people in their towns, their counties their
states Mr.. Garfield openly expresses his sat-
sfaction and his desire, if he is elected Presi-
lent, that the Government should have more
power than it had when Washington and Ad-
ans and Jefferson and jackson Tiled the Ex-
ecutive Chair. lie says there has been a gain
md that there will be more by force of gravi-
alton not by the popular will. not by changes
N the Constitution in n regular way, but that
patronage and power will add to
themselves, will by their weight increase and
grow until they are up to the full measure of
his desires. He rejoices to see this done in q
way against which
GEORGE wAsHrNGToN WARNED YOU
n his farewell address, which was submitted
n6 Mt ltaff.
,efore he gave it to the American people:
" 1t is important likewise, that the habits of
linking in free country, should inspire
'aution in those intrusted with its admins
ration to confine themselves within their re. |
'pective constitutional spheres, avoiding, in
he exercise of the powers of one department.,
o encroach upon another. The spirit of en- |
tends to consolidate the powers
If all the departments in one, and thus to ere |
tie. whatever form of government, real des- |
,otism. A just estimate of that love of power
lates in the human heart, is sufficient to sat |
sly us of the truth OF this position. The ne |
essty of reciprocal checks in the exercise of |
,ohtical power, by dividing and distributing
t into different repositories, and constituting
ach the guardian of the public veal against
INVASION by others, has been evinced by ex-
ancient and modern; some of them
II our own country, and under own eyes
70 preserve them must be as necessary as to
institute them. If, in the opinion of the peo- |
de- the distribution or modification of the
Constitutional powers be, in any particular | I
wrong, let il be corrected by an amendment ]
II the way the Constitution designateS. But
ct there be no change by usurpation; for
hough this, in one instance, may be the in |
trument of good, it Is the customary weaDon {
" which tree governments are DESTROYED. |
he precedent must always greatly Overhaul |
nee, in permanent evil, any partial or tran |
ield" /
If had not stated that these were the words ,
# George Washington, it would be thought 1 Z
vas indulging in II personal attack upon Mr. |
fairfield, SO severe are they UDOn his methOds