Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-03-20

appllcatlO0 OF the k6ueTal pTlucl-
pies which he had discussed, to
ourselves as units of society,"
subjects of the Law; its obligations
and the offices it promises to per-
form through its agent--govern-
ment. Every consideration Of
personal precaution points 10 the
necessity Of unqualified individual
obedience TO every law which Is
common TO all classes aud condi-
tons of its subjects. All men
stand before it and its enforce
ment by the tribunals upon
plane of perfect equality. But that
this is actually the case we cannot
claim, either that the supposed
impartiality of the Laws adj
ministration is always infiexible.
The influences of social inequali-
ties-of rank, of place, of patron
age, of wealth-that dangerous ac-
emulation of active powers into
the control of one will-of these he
could not speak, the discussion is
too broad for the short time he
would have to devote to it, But,
whatever the shortcomings of the
administration of civil justice,
there can be no individual disobe-
dience or organized violation of
the laws of the land without I'M
periling the integrity of the whole
social system. 1t is true that men
and classes often suffer from the
burden of unwise statutes, and
that communities rebel against de-
lays which seem to promise inn
munity to fragrant crime. But,
whenever man undertakes to re-
sist the law which binds his neigh
bors equally with himself, of any
set of men usurp the Jurisdiction
of the Courts, they invade every
principle of social order. A pris-
onsr untried, uncondemned, may
be unlawully hurried to his fate,
on some leafiess tree may suspand
his CHASTITY corpse, and the act be
justified by the verdict of the COM
munity-morally substantial JUS
tice may have been done in the
estimation of the disguised execu-
TONERS, and even perhaps of the
quiet, thoughtful citizens, whose
opinions constituted public senti-
ment. But the question arises,
who shall hinder the criminal and
the vicious from rising in turn,
with masked faces, defying the
Law, trampling down its barriers.
and disposing as they choose OF
your lives or your property? and
exposes the folly of such danger
our presidents. The great wrong
of to-day may be repeated to. NOR
row only with terribly different
motive-to-day's actors may be
to-morrow's victims. If this be
true how have we seen its truth
emphasized in our own experience.
Inthe midst of long-establihsed civ
iliZatiOn remote from the rude me-
cessities of the frontier, we have
seen the appointed agencies of So
clety thrust away from their duty
the solemn responsibilities of
the Law defiantly assumed, and
the offices of the halter and the
scaffold Performed by lawless and
reckless hands. Here the speaker
dwelt on the obligations of Gov
eminent on its part to the cOnstit-
uents which establish its power at
the sacrifice of their own. Histo-
ry, he said, repeats itself, and those
whose fortune it is 10 live and act
history need not seek in the gloom
of the Past light to guide their
doubtful steps. But if he should
ask if Government always faith
fully PERFORMS its part to the gov
erned-usurps no prerOgative be-
yOnd it's chartered rights-he
should not have TO search for his
answer among the dusty treasures
of our libraries. If he should go
further and in the light of grave
occurrence hardly yet recorded in
the history of the Present, ask
whether the Sanctuary consecra-
ted to the rights of citizens and
States against executive wrong
has been invaded and profaned by
sacreligious footsteps-he would
leave the question to us Silence
is eloquent-he would not break
its spell.
The fleeing years will soon
bring In the dawn of the Goth
Century, when this Present shall
be recorded with the history of
the Past. We cannot foretell the
events of the future-yet human
uncertainty has its consolations.-
Hope, Faith, Duty are the minis
tering ans els attending, sustaining
and inspiring. We trust the COM
ing years may crown them with
the blessings Of higher civilza-
tiun, a purer, more perfect progress
than we have attained. The duty
of the Present is before us-!et no
jealousy of the Future repress lis
conscientious performance.