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Editorial
October 13, 1871
Wilmington Journal
Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Editorial denounces rapid imperial centralization in the US, erasing state immunities, with North Carolina suffering most from federal court usurpations, soldiers, and spies, comparing it to absolutist monarchies like Henry VIII's reign.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The Coil of the Empire.
Day by day, not little by little, but with gigantic strides, the work of Imperial Centralization progresses. Wiping out State immunities, absorbing State prerogatives, consolidation marches on. It is reserved for North Carolina, the theatre of the first Declaration against regal power, in 1775, to witness the most striking illustrations of the tendency to absolutism,—to feel most keenly the coils of the serpent. A Federal Court, presided over by a corrupt, rough, partisan Judge, usurping the powers of State Courts, using and abusing, without compensation, the State Capitol and a County Courthouse for its sittings and for a prison,—Federal soldiers standing guard over prisoners hurried and harried from distant homes.—Federal spies (the meanest, most detestable and most debased of creatures, and the invariable pimps of despotism,) crowding the thoroughfares, filling the hotels and nosing everywhere,—these are the evidences all around us of the Empire, and of a state of things that might have become the reign of a Henry VIII or a Charles I, but which prove the 'model Republic' to be a farce, if the matter were not too serious, and, certainly, the veriest of shams.
Day by day, not little by little, but with gigantic strides, the work of Imperial Centralization progresses. Wiping out State immunities, absorbing State prerogatives, consolidation marches on. It is reserved for North Carolina, the theatre of the first Declaration against regal power, in 1775, to witness the most striking illustrations of the tendency to absolutism,—to feel most keenly the coils of the serpent. A Federal Court, presided over by a corrupt, rough, partisan Judge, usurping the powers of State Courts, using and abusing, without compensation, the State Capitol and a County Courthouse for its sittings and for a prison,—Federal soldiers standing guard over prisoners hurried and harried from distant homes.—Federal spies (the meanest, most detestable and most debased of creatures, and the invariable pimps of despotism,) crowding the thoroughfares, filling the hotels and nosing everywhere,—these are the evidences all around us of the Empire, and of a state of things that might have become the reign of a Henry VIII or a Charles I, but which prove the 'model Republic' to be a farce, if the matter were not too serious, and, certainly, the veriest of shams.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Legal Reform
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Imperial Centralization
State Immunities
Federal Overreach
North Carolina
Absolutism
Federal Court
Partisan Judge
Federal Spies
What entities or persons were involved?
North Carolina
Federal Court
Partisan Judge
Federal Soldiers
Federal Spies
Henry Viii
Charles I
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Federal Centralization And Absolutism In North Carolina
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical Of Federal Overreach And Empire Building
Key Figures
North Carolina
Federal Court
Partisan Judge
Federal Soldiers
Federal Spies
Henry Viii
Charles I
Key Arguments
Imperial Centralization Progresses With Gigantic Strides, Wiping Out State Immunities And Absorbing Prerogatives.
North Carolina, Site Of 1775 Anti Regal Declaration, Experiences The Most Striking Absolutism.
Federal Court Under Corrupt Partisan Judge Usurps State Court Powers And Uses State Facilities Without Compensation.
Federal Soldiers Guard Prisoners From Distant Homes.
Federal Spies Infest Public Spaces, Aiding Despotism.
These Elements Show The Empire's Coils, Making The Republic A Sham Like Reigns Of Henry Viii Or Charles I.