Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-02-14

u
tic concerns. Twenty-six States arc
unlimited Twenty-six States dictate
terms to ten States, in inatters which
are vital alone to those dicta,ed to.
This is the spirit Of absolute despot.
ism, and will result in occurring the
shape and substance Of iEbut too soon.
This destruction of the equality and
dignity Of the several States is as
much beyond the powcrQf the Gcner-
al Government as was Che right Of So
cession beyond the powenbf the States
Ia the one case the perpktuity of the
Union was attacked, III 10 other the
equally vital principles ) J ls4aialitsr. is
attempted 70 be subvertea. They are
alike heinous and destructive.
The language Of this proposition, as
set forth by Congress in its resolution
is, that these amendments, when rati-
fed by three-iourths Of the States,
shall be valid as a part Of the Consti-
sutton, and by many Of those in power
it is asserted that three-fourths Of the
States means three-fourths of twenty
Six States, thus utterly ignoring the
existence Of ton. If this be true, and
il il be possible for amendments affect
ing equality and suffrage, of and in the
States, thus to be adopted, we have
the declaration by them, that in o Re-
public Of thirly-six States, twenty
thereof may control and govern the
remainder. Admitting for the sake
Of argument that which is not correct,
that is That the States lately in re-
bcllion arc not in the Union, the vital
essence Of our Government is never
thcless changed by this amendment /;
for whenever a general amendment
controlling suffrage and taking it even
in the slightest degree from the States
is adopted, and especially when the
"power TO enforce Il BY appropriate
legislation" is given, as ii is by these
amendments, the powers reserved to
the States are taken away and they
lie PROSTATE at the feet Of the Federal
power. If this power be granted, the
smaller States have the right to aid
il debating the rule of suffrage to the
larger, and the one man in Rhode
Island votes to regulate the right of
suffrage for fifteen men in Pennsyl-
vania.
If Colorado be admitted one man
there, for this purpose, is the equal Of
fifty hero. How much safer is it p
how much more appropriate is it, then,
10 abide By the settled rule suffrage
is under the control Of the States, be
cause not granted to the Federal Gov
ernment We know our own wants,
are competent 70 Judge Of the necssi.
ties of our political situation. Why,
then, shall we call in the aid Of ciii-
zen Of Vermont or of Oregon to aid
in adjusting them He who has the
power to regulate the rule Of suffrage
in republic grasps the reins bywhich
he may, and in all probability will,
GOV crn. The Republic Of France is a
recent example Of the truth oSthis.
The safest and surest protection for
our liberties is the power Of the ballot
for approving or disappearing any Civ
en- rule Of suffrage.
Ii the right OF selfgovernmcnt be
held by the people OF each State for
themselves, it will never pass away
from them, and they may modify il as
they deem best. Ii il be placed un-
der the control of those who do not
reside in the State, who may have
their own political theories or schemes
in view in tampering with the right,
or who, in the name Of great moral
ideas, or for purposes Of party, or Of
sectional powor, shall attempt to fix
or extend or unsetlle or limitthe rule,
we have 10 sure foundation for our
rights. The close, quick and direct
ballot, regulated by ourselves, is the
great sheot-anchor Of our liberties
Universal suffrage is not universal
liberty; it may be made the means Of
everlasting tyranny. The right to
regulate our own institutions is liber-
ty. "Selfgovernmcnt is founded on
the Willingness Of the people TO take
care Of their own affairs, and the alb
scnco Of that disposition which looks
TO the General Government for every
thing. Ii cannot exist where the gen
oral principal of Interference exists,
that is the general disposition in what
is commonly called the Government,
to do all it possibly can do, and to sub
stitute its action for individual activi-
ty and self-Ielance."
Tho right Of representation in Con
grcss is not only plainly given by the
Constitution, but acts of Congress
since 1860 distinctly grant it, ltrests,
too, upon a broader basis, the inner
ont and indefeasible right of any peo-
pie who are taxed TO aid in governing
themselves The whole scope and
purpose OF the second section is tore.
strict this right in the recently re-
bellious States, and TO require of them
peculiar condition Of their political
system before they shall enjoy their
undoubtcd right oil representation. Ii
it be in the power Of hrec.iourths of
the States to make conditions for the
remainder in regard to this right, so,
too, it is in their power to enforce
those conditions; and, If enforced
how Shall it be by moral snasion, by
allowing the South TO act as you adj
wise, or by more stringent measures
and finally by force? Ii by force and
compulsion You have become an arbi-
trary power, and your form of gov
ernment is changed Where, in such
a case is the equality Of State with
State ! One is the superior; the other
tho inferior These amendments are
vital. They destroy the system they