The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-04-11

text and the subject matter, for its proper in.
depreciation. 419
Having said thus nuch--perhaps too much
in the way Of preface, let as place the supposed
conflicting Sections, side by side: sEo-l
"No person shall be 8E. Neither the Gov
Senator who shall not lernor nor Lieutenant
have attained The age Of Governor shall be ell
thirty five years and gible to any other Office
been nine years citizen during the term for
of the United States which be shall be cleo
and who shall not, when ted "--tConstitution of
elected, be An inhabitantt indiana Article 5, Sec
of the State for which ton "A. 9f@H
he shall be chosen -...--
[Constit. U. s. Art. l.
Sec. 3. @a--
II is claimed that this last section is in viola
ton of the constitution Of the United States,
because it prescribes additional qualifications.
for nited States Sen2tor--ths added qualifisa-
tons being that he shall not be a Governor or
Lieutenant Governor!
Admitting for the sake o. the argument that
these ARE additional qualifications. let me ask,
by what authority the State is denied the right
to impose them? Does the constitution Of the
United States say SO? Does it say anything
from which the doctrine may be inferredr Has
there been any act Of Congress inhbting the
exercise Of such power by the States? Very
plainly there is no conflict between tho two
sections, and they both stand as the supreme
law of the land.
1 have been accused Of fayoring tho absurd
doctrine of State sovereignty. out Of which
grew the horrible crimes of secession and re-
bellion. Surprising my record q sufficient evil
dence Of unionism, I have not thought proper
to reply to this charge. But it may be well for
others to work to the logical results OF THEIR
theories.
The constitution Of the United States is bind
ing alike On all parties Congress has no more
power to change it--ne more right to violate it
than State constitutional conventions, State
legislatures. Now if all the qualifications for
United States Senator are to be found in the
section quoted above, what becomes of the laws
excluding rebels from that Office? Are Lee,
Beauregard Stephens, and even jeff Davis
himself oil eligible? They Eaye " attained the
age of thirty-five years. and bsen nine years
citizens of the United States
The States of Tennessee and Missouri, have
enacted laws depriving rebels of the elective
franchise and rendering them ineligible to office.
Have these States violated the constitution of
the United States in thus presenting addition
al qualifications? e.-e.
Again: the State Of Indiana has imposed ma
ny other additional qualifications" Sec. Gath
is not the only offending one in the State consti-
tuition Another section prohibits the iegisla-
ture from eiecting one Of its MEMBERS to the
United States Senate. Another provides that
any candidate convicted OF having offered
bride at any election shall be ineligible, for a
giyea time to any Office Of trust or profit. An
other still provides that no duelist, or person
who sends or carries challenge to Il ght duel,
shall be eligible to any office Of trust or profit.
And yet another authorizes the legislature to
enact laws. DISTINGUISHING any person convicted
OF an infamous crime. The legislature, not
having this new Interpretation Of the constitu-
ton Of the United States before its eyes, have
exercised the power there given, and duly au-
thorized the courts to disfrarchise certain GRIM
inals for stated time. Only few days ago, a
court in Henry county, actually sentenced q cul-
prit to the Penitentiary for three years and dis
franchsed him for longer period. The poor
J wretch ought to be informed that the State con-
stitution. the laws and the decision Of the court
he still retains the right to be elected to the
United States Senate. S0ts,4s
have endeavored, in this discussion, to treat
the subject logically and fairly. but the inteli-
= gent reader will take nothing granted, but
5 examine the constitution for himself And
however much may be interested in the con-
3 illusions to which he may come. would not. il
/ could influence him in any way, other than by
the use Of legitimate argument.
Thanking the editor for the use Of his COL
umns, and the reader for his patience, shall,
for the present. take leave of the subject reser-
wing, Of course. the right to reply to any stric-
lures that may be made. ISAAC KIsLEr.
ssss We have, very little ume,7 aside from
our case and press-work, to devote to
our friend Maj kmley's service, and We
therefore shall be as brief as possible
and We assure him that We have no "pre
judice and personal considerations" in
view in the past treatment of his course
or in what we shall now utter in reply
we oeepy Regretted, from the outset
his determination, TO act contrary to hi:
| plighted word-the united wishes of his
i'm Immediate constituents. and the voice o
/ the party, proclaimed with such sigma
Z unanimity in the Legislative caucus, ano
For these reasons we have granted hin
d | the space in our paper he desired, t.
elain, IL possible, his anomalous pc
= Sun We respect our State Senato
: + rs i've soldier, who has done his duty
J. hour of danger on the bloody
e o.s'aeaets Of his eountry-his hcnora
! pie wou mo attest his bravery there; bu
I A,s 'ote onhe Senatorial question, ane
1 as eAsoos ssrefor, stamp him as po
AAca Iaafure, lnothin4 worse. -