Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-05-15
STATE RIGHTS.
A glimpse into the Future.

=
There have been great many people
during the past few years who were too ex-
cited to think seriously, and who took their
political ideas at second hand from chosen
leaders. When these leaders gave the cue
they followed Hence the fact arises that
so many have holy horror of the doctrine
of State sovereignty or State rights. 1t
served the purpose of some of the unprin-
cipled leaders to condemn the doctrine be-
cause some men carried it to extremes.
They secured by this means to themselves
while in power q stronger grasp on the
reins. But with comparative calm it is to
be hoped that there will be change, at
least so much of change as will allow of
reflection and serious consideration.
The proposal of Mr.. Sumner and his
friends to force universal suffrage on all
the States by Federal power, backed with
the bayonet, has not produced that public
shock which it would have given a few
years ago. Nor is it at all certain that it
will not be carried out. We are prepared
for anything of the kind. The people of
this country are by no means disposed to
defend their liberties even at the ballot
box, and the truth is there is no. great
amount of confidence to be reposed in eth
er of the existing political parties in this
regard. It is very much to be feared that
the Democrats, when they gain power, as
they are very certain to do before long, in
the natural course of events will rejoice in
the free exercise of power seized and sway
ed by their Radical predecessors. 1t is al
ways more difficult to resign than to obtain
such power. The people of Massachusetts,
little imagine the tyranny they are build
ing up while they permit their voice in the
Senate to be used in this Capitalization
scheme. It may seem all we'll enough
while Congress happens to be of the shade
they like. But let them remember that
times change and politics change with them;
and that State rights ay some day be the
only barrier that Massachusetts, can inter-
pose to the legislation of a Congress of
radical Democrats.
We remember that during the war a
sharp collision arose on this very subject
between the Radical Governor of Connect
icut and the War Department. The State
of Connections passed bounty act, and
the War Department undertook to regu-
late the operation of the act so as to inter-
fere with the very objectof the law. Gov
ernor Buckingham was suddenly a strong
State rights man, and unless we are greatly
mistaken gave the head of the War Depart
ment sharp lesson on State rights, which
did good. So it will be whenever Massa-
chusetts finds her pet institutions inter-
fered with at Washington. Public educa-
ton is as important as public suffrage, and
some Western Sumner will be for regulat-
ing Harvard and Yale, and Union and
princeton, anu ali OCnor cOLlegeS ana acad-
emies, and even public schools, by Federal
law. The excuse will be easy. 1t can be
placed on the general principle of the guar
anty of republican institutions, or if that
will not be acceptable, it may be justi-
fled as a method of raising revenue or i'm
proving harbors. Any excuse will answer,
and the people are taught to accept any
stretch of constitutional powers to strike at
State reservedright What would Massa-
chusetts say to such an attempt, if it hap
pened to be plainly directed against the
doctrines taught in her schools and col
leges. @ ir 10. aa
Let no one say that these results are i'm
possible or improbable. Men in I'll g Repub-
lican party are acting now as if they had a
lease of power for centuries. Whereas, it
is as certain as the revolution of the earth
on its axis that the opposition is to come
into the seat of power sooner or later, and
to inherit the weapons now welded by the
Radical party. The sensible man will
have no confidence in either party holding
unlimited sway. His only hope of the flu
ture is in rebuilding and maintaining our
constitutional defenses, our State re-
served rights. as well as our United States
constitutional rights.-JomnaI Of Com
nnerce. sl.