Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-04-27

MASSEYISM.-If Mr.. Massey has the
right to say that he will not obey law
because he considers it unconstitutional,
then every officer In the Common
wealth, from the highest to the lowest,
has the right to construe the laws for
himself, and to obey only such of them
as he may choose to obey. Such teach
ing leads to anarchy. 1t would destroy
all government, and render the com.
munaty the prey of the vicious, the igno-
rant, the fanatical, the degraded and the
lawless. The Mormon officials in Utah
excuse their violations of law by plead
ing that MOrmonism is religion. The
fanatic in Massachusetts, who last year
sacrificed his child, claimed that he had
acted in obedience to divine law. But
why argue such point? No executive
officer, no ministerial os1cer, no person
whatever, except the duly authorized
courts, has right to set aside law and
say he will not obey il because it is un-
constitutional. Judge Moncure HIM
self cannot do it. He must have his
court with him. Mr. Massey can be
no more justified for doing it than could
be the most abandoned criminal in the
penitentiary. If he has the right, ev-
cry man, high and low, in the Com
monwealth has the right. But no man
has any such right. When Mr.. Massey
took the oath to support the Constitu-
tion of Virginia, he swOre in effect that
he would support that Constitution as it
was Interpreted by the courts. Such is
the oath of all officers. Some people
hold that our Sunday law is in violation
of the Bill of Rights, which is part of
the State Constitution does the Whig
pretend to say that city or State officer
holding this opinion has the right to de-
clare the law unconstitutional and re-
fuse to obey it?
Let the people ponder this subject
Let them forecast what Mr.. Massey's
higheg-law doctrine will lead to if it is
not denounced by them; and let them
rebuke him In such a manner as that he
will never forget their righteous indig-
nation. Richmond Dispatch.
The principal isaue in the next presi-
Dental eleotion between the two great
national parties will be, whether our
government shall be conducted by a
strong central government run in the
interest of the money rings and corpo-
rations, or government run in accord
ance with the intention of its founders
for the good of the whole people.
In this condition of the case the lead
ers of the Readjusters in this State are
asking their party to vote for an un-
pledged electoral ticket. In other words,
they are attempting to throw the cleo
toral vote of Virginia against the nomi-
nee of the National Democratic party.
The professed object of the Readjuster
party is to alleviate the condition of the
poor ald oppressed. Itclaims to be the
poor mans party. 1t claims to be fight
Ing the battle of the poor and oppressed
against the bloated bondholders. Yet
in the national struggle now near at
hand, they are throwing their influence
in favor Of centralized government fol-
the benefit of the favored few, and
thereby courting the oppression which
they profess to be battling against in
State politics. Are they willing to
fasten upon the country national bond
age for the sake of getting rid of State
debt, which large class of those who
would have to pay it, believe to be just
and honest? II the leaders of Feadjust-
ment are honest in their professions of
love for the oppressed people, how is it
that they can throw their influence
against that national party, which is
for preserving the liberties of the people
against the steady encroachments of the
central government? 1t is hard. indeed,
to reconcile their professions with their
acts. Time brings about strange bed
fellows. We shall not yet believe that
the rank and file of the Readjuster party
will commit the supreme folly of allow.
ing themselves to be led into the bosom
of the Republican party by their blind
and misguided leaders.-Chartottesville
Jefersonion.