The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-04-11

wherever New England or MASSACHUSETTS
interests are concerned, Massachusetts is
always strict constructionist of Federal
powers. Liberal construction is a good thing
whenever it enables Massachusetts, or the
political party Of which Massachusetts, has
the direction, to govern the rest Of the coun-
try. But when it crosses the Hudson, to
touch some favorite crotchet or money in
terest Of New England, although it may
work its way now and then through Con-
necticut, it stops on the Massachusetts
border. Her lawyers and politicians imme-
diately see new lights by which to change
their action, if not their opinions. New
distinctions occur; the precedents of his
tory and authority are ransacked with new
vigor, and some ancient principles that had
become almost obsolete are raised up into
living realities again. II was, in 1903,
good doctrine in Massachusetts, that the
purchase of Louisiana was unconstitutional,
and the compact" Of Union, such she
called 1t, dissolved. In 1872 II was good
Massachusetts opinion that war was unho-
! ", and that the New England States ought
to associate themselves for the purpose of
opposing the prosecution oft, and rescuing
the rights Of the States which the Admin
istration had overthrown !; that it was g I'M
becoming moral and religious people" to
rejoice over the victories Of the armies of
the Union; and that it was unconstitution-
al to rase soldiers in Massachusetts by draft,
| or to put her militia under any officers but
their own, or to carry them beyond the
States lines. The constitution, she said,
needed amendment, to preserve the princi
Piles of he compact" She, who now adj
vocates heraising Of negroes just escaped
from the barbarism ofslavery Into citi-
zens and voters, demanded the exclusion Of
all naturalized foreigners from the capacity
Of holding Office, on the plea that trained
and educated citizenship is the first want
OF the country; not numbers or voters.
She declared the annexation Of Texas a
virtual abrogation Of the Union, and some
Of her statesmen talked Of that measure as
a dissolution fact 7f
On nearly every one of these measures
Massachusetts has changed, and in regard
to some Of them materially improved her
doctrines and practice. So completely, as
interest in the doctrines Of state rights
waned her statesmen and policy changed
until the oscillation carried her 40 far into
! the other extreme of consolidation, that il
began to be apprehended that no measure
| for strengthening the powers ofthe Federal
Government over the internal affairs of the
States could be suggested that would no,
be sure OF Massachusetts, support, and the
votes of her representatives in the present
Congress, have given good grounds for that
alarm. .1nanother forum, where her inter
est are different, her course has been diff
ferent. d ,gsi.
!; She has been contending in the Supreme
| Court, for exclusive jurisdiction within hel
own borders, by which the revenue powers
Of the General Government are largely cur
tailed in Massachusetts, while, at the sam,
time, her Senators and Representatives arr
voting on the Civil Rights bill to Civ,
| Congress unlimited powers to suppressed,
the municipal authority Of the States, owe
their most domestic affairsas marriages
SUGGESTIONS to property, and the remedies
for civil trespasses, and police jurisdiction
over inhabitants Of the States, 800
i This inconsistency is a curious phase o
American character which, .although mark
|. ed with peculiar distinctness in the case o
Massachusetts, is not local with that State
or even with its neighbors, who bear the re
putation Of being exceptionally selfish il
all their practical politics, estimating thei
obligations to adhere to any. constitutions
opinions by the amount Of profit it viii
bring to their own local interests. It is
vice which New England does not by an,
means monopolize, although the thrift sh
has made out Of her politics makes her tn
standing example for citation; but man
, Others have acted on the same principle Q
conduct, but have miscalculated or nlisse
the profits New Orleans Picayune.