Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-06-12
GIVES ri Up.

The Journal Yields the further discussion OF
the States Rights question. and finding that il
cannot maintain its position. seeks to hide its
weakness By descending to personalities. We
shall no, follow its lead, although We could re-
turn its compliments with interest.
The Journal makes n common mistake By
confoundng the doctrines Of State Rights with
the right Of State secession. IL says that our
concession that State has no, The right 70 with
draw from the Union at i,s pleasure. makes the
doctrine Of State Rights poweflsss. This Is no.
20. II the Federal Constitution is fairly construed
The security Of the States in their reserved
rights IL, or shoald be. in the Supreme Court OF
The United States. a tribunal which has the
power to nullifY the unconstitutional acts
Of the Law making or Executive Departments
of the Federal Government. The question
of State Rights, in a case which has occurred
within our own State recently is now deferred
the Federal Courts. IL is involved in the Juris-
diciion Of the United States Courts in the trial
Of the Davies county murdsrers. There IS not
doubt Of Their guilt-there is no issue as to
that. The question is whether their ofiense
State Courts-in other words. whether their
crime il violation Of National or State laws
This very issue illustrates the distinction be
tween State Rights and Federal authority and
while there is no question as to the guilt OF the
prisoners, there is to the jurisdiction in the
case--whether the accused are amenable FOR
their crime to State or National laws. The
II. ". IL Ia
conflict Of authority. of jurisdiction. of suf
fcient importance to have it determined by
full bench Of the Supreme Court, TO whom.
We understand, it will be submitted
What is termed the $50. eregnty" Of the
States should not be confOunded wirh the re
served rights of the States. The Constitution is
the supreme law Of the land in all the powers
and authority delegates to il By the States and
enumerated in that instrument. And the Con-
stitutiou, rightfully interpreted. il bound to
spect and maintain the States in their reserved
rights. While the machinery of our Govern
meni. State aud National. looks complex and
apparently conflicting. yet. in fact when properly
regarded they are the source of i.s strength and
prosperity Our country embraces a vast area Of
territory not only, but great diversity of
climate and productions \ Necessarily this oc-
casions diversity of interests between the DIFF
ferent States and sections, but, happily,
local legislation can. in great measure,
adjust those differences and adap. the laws
to meet the peculiar exigencies of each
locality A Republican form OF Government
is but the development Of self governmnt. and
IL is subdividsd until it reaches towushi ps.
We have in the United States township. MUM
cipal. county, State and National, il we
may so term them. courts or legislatures. the
first four having jurisdiction Of the personal
rights Of the citizens and their local interests and
relations, while the latter has the care of what
affects the general welfare of all. This peculiar
form Of government secures to the citizen per-
sonal independence to greater degree than in
any other, as IL places under Che control of the
people in each locality a supervision and direc-
ton of their domestic or neighborhood affairs.
IL the distinctions we have named were broken
down and power centralized. we should soon have
On .unbearable despotism. Happily We have a
President who has avow ed his intention and pur-
pose to respect the reserved rights OF the State
and maintain that form of government which
has been, and we trust will continue to be by its
maintenance. the admiration of the world not
only, but the basis of renewed strength and
prosperity
While the Journal is di.paraging State Rights.
itshould not forget that His EIcellency. the Gov
ernor. has contributed much to give the doctrine
vitality and strength by doing all in his power to
develope. encourage, and strengthen State pride.
Throughout the war he has appealed to this sen
timent of the people and he has heralced upon
every occasion the great aud gallant services Of
Indiana. and Indianians. comparing them favor
able with those Of other States. But the other
day the Journal appealed TO our mechanics and
artizans TO send contributions of their skill and
ingenuity to the Bombay Fair, to increase the
fame aud to spread the name Of Indiana,
especially as it was so closely allied in ortho-
graphy with India What use in fostering State
pride, IL the States, AZ some maintain, bear the
same relation 20 the Federal Government that
Counties DO to the States-if the States have no
reserved rights. no right Of independent legisla
ton and control of local affairs upon which to
base that sentiment, Ii the doctrine OF State
Rights as we have presented it. is fallacy. in
stead of encouraging State pride. il shonld be a
common duty to subordinate the State as much
as possible to the Federal Government.
When We started out We intended TO Ssy but q
few words. but the subject grows in Importance
as attention il directed 10 IT, We Rill. how
ever. dismiss it for the present