The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-27
LET Us RETURN TO THE CONsTI-
1IiIO>.


The necessities Of the war drove those
in charge of the United states Govern
ment between 1861 and 1866 into a number
of fragrant violations of the Constitution
Of our government il was well understood
at the time that this was being done,
but even the conservative part of the
Northern States submitted to it without
protest for the reason that 1T was uni
versaliy believed the stretches of its au-
thority by the government were ncces-
sary to producing successful issue Of
the war Those who had condoued these
breaches of the fundamental law lived
i'm that state Of conformation until their
consciencos became scared. and a new
generation grew up with the new order
of things held up always TO their eyes.
until it came TO think this new order the
original scheme upon which our govern
ment was started. The most vicious
breaches in the Constitution that the war
made were in causing the government to
usurp power TO issue its paper promises
to pay money, and 90 make them legal
tender for money due, and in causing it
to usurp a control over all the issues of
paper currency in the country
Both of these assumed powers had been
distinctly withheld from the United States
Government at the creation and adoption
of the Constitution, and it was naked
psurpation in the government to assume
either Of them. The assumption OF the
second has caused much greater disturb
ance and discomfort than the assumption
of even the first, had as that is. But the
exercise Of an authority by the general
government to control all issues of paper
currency. and in enforcing the claim 10
restrict the power Of issuing il 10 govern
mental favorites in commercial centres.
is az the bottom of all the discomfort
which SO distmhs the peace of tho
country now and threatens US with dis
astors Of which no man can foreseo the
bounds.
There is 40 question that the mind Of
the country IS turning back to the ORR
glnal Constitution Of our government
the happiest frame of rule that ever WAS
devised-and that the trend OF public
thought is towards examining it, ana
determining from it what are the rules
Of conduct in the nation best calculated
TO secure an even administration of the
laws. that will make them bear IN the
same way upon all.
The New York journal of Commerce,
in moderate but strong article upon
this text. III which it makes the abolition
of our State banks Of issue the strongest
count in the Indictment. sees on to say;
These facts and tendencies make 1t
clear as noon that the whole Crf OF
national scntin and of statesmGnly
leading has set IN resClutely towards the
undOing Of our war legislation aud OF
whatever has sirce been born OF ii. Pub
lie opinion has borne its discontents TO
the limit OF it's endurance, &c IS beginning
20 have a clearer conception OF the ma
ture and scope of its dssatisfactions; IL
has found that mere changes Of admins
stratiOn do not bring the policy desired:
and hence. after discharging one set Of
rulers IL has sharply turned back 20 the
other, II perfectly Understands itself ana
will make It's demands sta more distinct
Is Imperative; and having finally formu-
lated It's terms. no party can hold its
confidence which fails 10 satisfy them. A
party thai aims al reversal OF tais
drift, that seeks &c foster and prolong
the outgfowths of war legislation. that
makes any shibboleth out Of the abnor-
mai past. nj 81 accept defeat.
This is not a situation that has anything
10 offer TO mere patty prejudices CT atfilla-
I ~ a al