The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1889-06-06


grand army of the Republic never fal.
tered. and defeat only urged them to
more determined effort, until victory
crowned their banners, and the national
authority was triumphantly re- establish.
ed. How desperate the struggle these
graves bear witness; how glorious the
victory we testify by our presence to-day
beneath this flag OF beauty and of glory.
| Can it be that in land enriched by
heroes graves such an issue shall ever
meet a less resolute response? or such
cause shall lack defenders? ? True it Is
that the Union is no longer threatened
with violent disruption, or the National
authority with armed resistance. But
actual rebellion is not the only danger
that assails our Government.
Respect for law, and its enforcement
when violated, are vital to the mainte-
nance of Republican form of Govern
ment. Those who deem the laws impol-
itic or unjust have the freeman's right
of appeal to the sovereign people for
their abrogation, but until repealed they
demand the implicit obedience of all.
Disregard OF law, contempt of lawful au-
thority, and the inefficient administra-
ton OF justice have ever marked the
downfall of Republics. Whenever expe-
rience shall demonstrate that freedom OF
speech and of the press-the right to
discuss and criticise legislation--is fatal
to law and order; when the right to
advocate the repeal of laws engenders
license to set them at defiance, the
end of free institutions is at hand. If
the citizen may assume to decide
whether certain laws should be obeyed;
if those dissatisfied with their provis.
ions may openly advocate disobedi-
ence, and band together for resistance,
the very existence of the Government
is threatened; If the executive officers
refuse to enforce laws which do not
meet their approval, or courts and
juries violate their sworn duties for like
reason, the result is no less fatal to the
Government than successful rebellion |;
for even despotism may be welcome
refuge from lawlessness and anarchy.
Can we claim exemption from such dan
ger ? Is 1t not pressing us now? Isthere
not growing disregard of law, and in
creasing laxity in its enforcement Even
fragrant crimes escape their just penalty,
until mob violence is invoked for public
protection, and lynch law is recognized
that public confidence in the admins
|
| there is a common belief that money
can secure immunity from punishment
by the skillful manipulation OF courts
and juries. Who can assert that there
is no reason therefor? 1t is not my pur.
pose now to discuss the causes, or to sug-
gest remedies, but no remedy can be
effectual unless public opinion demands
the i'm partial enforcement of law, and
who can be relied upon to inculcate re-
spect for law, and foster healthy public
sentiment to sustain it, unless it be those
who cherish the memory of our fallen
comrades, and seek to emulate their ex-
ample.
| Unwise legislation is not uncommon,
and the most strenuous efforts for the
repeal of unjust laws may be duty as
we'll as right, but the duty of obedi-
ence can not be measured by the char.
acter of the law. The enforcement of
such laws IL the most effectual means
of securing their abrogation, but the
failure to enforce them necessarily en-
genders disrepect of all law. When.
ever majority Of the people demand
change, the remedy Is In their own
hands; until then it is the duty OF the
minority to submit. To concede the
right OF u minority, however numer.
GUS, to disregard them, would be de.
structive of all government, which
necessarily involves the right some.
where to determine what Is essen tial to
the public veal. When that right Is
vested In majority OF the people, its
decision within the limits of the con.
stitution must be supreme, and, unless
1t be SO, republican government Is q
mockery.
1t is however asserted that the con.
stitutiOnal remedy is Intellectual where
legislation Is unjust to special loca lities,
or hostile to particular interests, as the
citizens affected thereby however unan.
imous In opposition can not secure the
repeal of laws supported by q majority
of the body polite, aud this Is urged in
justification of concerted action to de.
leat the enforcement of such laws.
On this very plea the southern rebel
lion was justified. 1t was claimed that
the party entering upon power was
hostile to the peculiar institutions, and
determined to destroy their material
interests and that they were powerless
to protect themselves against the nu.
mercial preponderence OF the North.
Such was the plea presented to the
men we have assembled here to honor,
and these graves bear testimony to
their response. The issue presented to
them cOnfronts US again to day. II by
any means the principles of republican
government shall be subverted in this
land, II the majesty of the law can be
defied with impunity, II the sovereign.
ty Of the people be Overthrown, then
these men died In vain. How can we
better honor their memory, than by
pledging ourselves beside their graves.
that the cause for which they died
shall be maintained?
The same issue In some phase will
confront our children. How can we
better serve our country than by teach
ing them the story of these. men who
shed their blood In defense OF their
country's laws? 30 long as their
memory shall be cherished, their ex.
ample will serve to preserve the liber-
ties their valor saved,
Their graves have voices II they threw
Dice charged with fatss beyond their ken,
Yet to their instincts they were true,
And had the genius to be men.