Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-09-09
For the SPECTATOR.
United, We Stand; Divided, We Fall:
No. 9.

The Federal Government has been exer-
cising, since the beginning of the late war,
almost absolute power over all subjects
which it has deemed necessary to fortify
party ascendenoy until the public mind has
become accustomed to recognize imperial
ism not only in Speaker Reeds arbitrary
control of the Legislative Department, but
further disregard of the Constitution is I'M
advisedly sought, even by those whose well
fare is dependent on restoration of the
constitution. a temporary pressure is
sought to be relieved by an appeal to
Federal power to interpose in local and per-
sonal matters with which it has no
--AL-.s4v-It To- --POtibio..- &c Al old
folly of Esau selling his birthright for a
mess of pottage, which he afterwards
sought with teaia, but failed to recover
Democrats appear to forget that this Fed
eral Government is one of limited powers,
specifically enumerated in the Constitution
SEQ. s. "rbe Congress shall have
Power" and here follows IS specifications
The 10Th Art. of the amended Constitution
declares that "The powers not delegated
to the q. 8. by the Constitution, nor pro-
hibited by it to the States, are reserved to
the States respectively, or to tho people,
The 9th Art. Of same, declares that, ''The
enumeration in she Constitution of certain
rights shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the people. y
If the Constitution does not confer on Con-
gress adequate powers for good gov
eminent, let 1t be amended in the pre-
ecribed mode; but do not encourage or
sanction usurpitions of authority in VIOLA
ton of fundamental law. the articles OF
Confederation bad proved deficient in pro-
vidipg promptly the necessary funds for
the Confederation, sc, and hence the
adoption of the Constitution which
authorizes Congress ''To lay and collect
taxeG, duties, imposts and excuses, to pay
the debts and provide for the common de-
fence and general welfare of the United
States; but all duties, imposts and excuses
shall be uniform throughout the United
States" This first enumeration of powers
was designed to cover the especial defects
of the artiaies of Confederation, and re-
lates to tie support Of government and the
outer dealings and defeuce of the country
which mad SO recently emerged from the
Revolutionary War. But the common de
fence and general welfare clause has
since been made an open door for the en-
trance q falae assumptions of power and
deviltry % the reserved rights Of the peo-
pie and the States. 1t has been the effort
of the Democratic party to keep the gov
eminent within the limits of the Constitu-
ton. Internal improvements by the gen.
eral government were deprecated because of
their overshadowing influence upon the
government and the States. How wisely
their warnings were solemnly uttered, the
sad sequal now shows, and is giving rise to
much discomfort. Democratic principles
are on the side Of safety to the liberty OF
the citizen. 1t has always been held that
it was better to have great free people
than colossal government with de-
pressed people, despoiied of their free
coleman American spirit. Gall is not lost
which is in danger" Abide the Constitu-
ton; rally the people to Democratic
theories; right the wrongs which have been
committed; bring the government back to
its original purposes and aims; educate the
people TO respect the Constitution and
laws; to love their country and do justice
to all; then there will grow up mutual
feeling of respect and confidence which is
essential to great, prosperous and happy
people. The law Of retaliation is poor
remedy for social and political ills. Let
justice be done through legitimate means
and the end will be most satisfactory.
CITIZEN.