Year: 1867

i
For the Democrat.


The Past. tho Present ana the
Future.


When the late civil war began, the
unanimous voice of the north was in favor
of crushing the rebellion by the strong
arm of military power. All parties We're
united in efforts to preserve the integrity
Of the government, and that was declared
to be the safe object of the war by all au-
thorized to speak for the administration
and the party which placed it in power
The faith of the nation was sole1nnly
pledged to the fulfilmcnt of this promise.
by the unanimous passage of resolution,
offered by one of Americas noblest states
men-John j. Crittendch-on the I'D of
July, 1861, by the Congress of tbs United
States, that the 'war was not waged fol
the purpose of conquest or subjugation, or
for the purpose Of oTcrthiowing the rights
of the States, but for the preservation of
the Union, with ali the dignity, equality
and rights of the several States unimpair-
ed, and that when this object is accom-
| plished, the war ought to cease


Though no hostile flag floats over foot
Of the soil ever embraced within the linn
its of the United States though no arm is
raised against the authority of the Nation;
though bv the terms Of surrender Of the
chiefs of the rebel armies no src exists
though the instruction has ceased, and
peace been restored for over two years
Congress has virtually ignored the
fact of the return Of peace in placing the
south under martial law, and ubjccting the
civil to the military authority, and for the
peaceful and powerful weapon. the ballot,
the bayonet is substituted. This course
is as clear violation of the pledge made
by the nation in the dark and solemn hour
Of great disaster as it is possible for the
mind to conceive.


The Constitution expressly delegates
certain powers to Congress, and reserved
to the several States certain others. These
reserved rights were wisely inter dcd to be
authority, and guard against the subver-
sion of Republican form Of government
All political parties which have been guild
ed by that instrument in measures of pub
lie policy, have made the doctrine of State
Rights cardinal feature in their creeds,
as it is the main pillar in the cdifice OF
human freedom. BY action of Congress
this safeguard of liberty, this check upon
the usurpations Of power, are stricken
DOWN, and the States and people arc divest-
ed of the prerogatives by which alone they
can preserve their liberties. The radicals
have been the first to discard that doctrine
as they have been tue first to attempt the
overthrow and destruction of the political
In titutions Of the fathers;


The resolution referred to abofe, pledges
the restoration cf the Union with all the
rights, dignity and equality of the States
unimpaired.' y and yet, the first session of
| Congress after the close o. tie war. delib-
cratcly brought forward measures, dictated
by the most malignant party spirit, for the
degradation of the South. Under the
Constitution the States are equal; Under
the present radical rule there is an inc
quality-military dicta,ion at the south,
exhorbitant taxation at the west, and pro-
lection Of eastern interests.


The depression in business, the disar-
ranged finances, and all the long train of
evils which cause "hard times" are direct.
ly attributable to the unwise and impolitic
legislation of the country. There has not
been an hour within the past two years
that the Union could not have been restor
ed upon a permanent, constitutional and
loyal basis. The people OF the south gave
undoubted evidence of willingness 20
yield obedience in good faith to the laws
and Constitution, and renew their allcgi-
ance to the government, but they were
spurned with contempt, and the restora-
tion of the Union is crowded further into
the future. The avowed object of the
war was put out of sight, Immediately up
on its close, and hence VIC are surrounded
by dangers the end of which can not be
foresecn. Had the Union been promptly
restored, the wounds caused by the war
healed, instead of being re-opsncd and
enlarged, the business interests Of the coun-
try would not now be languishing as they
do. Temporary cmbarrassments might be
'produced by local causes, but feeling u