The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1867-06-08

our ClOse Approach 10 DespOtisn'l
We could not tise the same space better
for our readers-and we fain would include
some Of the candid Radicals, who, now aud
then, take up and peruse Democratic
iournal--thaHto 10 set forth, In the clear Ian
guage OF the Hartford Tines the substan-
tial characteristics OF "the Five Monarchy
Bill" which that able paper says. the Rad
icals dare not discuss, and cannot defend;I
Congress has no right TO meddle with the
privilege Of suffrage In any State. The
members of Congress are the servants not
the masters OF the people, and the people
have decided upon the qualifications Of vo-
ters within their respective States. IL Is
their right TO decide upon the qualitica-
tious OF those who are to choose members
of Congress to represent them. 1t is not
the right of Congress- the servant Of the
people, to decide upon that qualification,
nor has It any authority to disfranchise cit
liens Of a State In order TO perpetuate Its
own power, or for any other reason.
When Napoleon the Third usurped pow
or and overturned tire French Republic, he
ordered an election of Emperor. lie al
lowed abont every man TO vote but he
would permit them TO have no candidate
except himself. The Radicals in usurplng
power to enfranchise negroes and to dis
franchise white men, took good care 10
permit very few to vote who were not fa-
yorable to the Radicals. The usurpstion In
the one case was no more flagrant than In
the other.
To establish military despotism on the
pretcxt of building up Republican form
OF government Is not consistent with the
spirit of our institutions, especially when
State governments chosen by the people
and in harmony with the Constitution ol
the United States, are overturned to mak'
room for the military despotism. But thli
is the course pursued by the Radical Con
gress. The foundation of their structure
Is unsOund.
What Is the status of the people of th'
ten Southern States at the presen1 time
Are they foreigners or are they citizens
II foreigners, none OF them, white or black
can vote till they are naturalized; and th
rule OF naturalization must be uniform
II they are citizens, they have the rights Q
citizens, of which Congress cannot depriy
them. No er post Jdcto law can reacI
them.
Congress cannot deprive any citizen {
trial by jury and turn him over to a mill
tary commission, as the military act doe
No Radical can answer these question
even TO his own satisfaction. II he say
they are aliens, conquered, and their live
~ md rfuhta snhianf IN tho Nyi
of Congress, then it extends to all, black {
well US white, and they must all be natura
lied. ... ......
he says they are citizens, they cann'
be deprived of their rights even asa pun
ishment, but by due process oflaw.
The oath prescribed, makes each ml
swear he has not been disfranchised for pa
ticipation In the rebellion. How can
man be disfranchised as punishment, b
by trial and convictionI The negro e'
not be DISTINGUISHED, for he has never be,
eafranchised. ..-1
The penalty OF disfranchisement must
pursuant to some law which intiicts SUI
penalty. But there is no such law, u
does this act even provide any process
disfranchisement.
Congress has no power except such as
granted to it and is specified in the Cons
tuition. Has it any power to take from ~
State its Constitution 2-tO disfranchi
the citizens of any StateY IL so, it can
pointed out. All power not granted In
Constitution is reserved.
The consequences of these usurpatiC
and infrsctions of the Constitution are {
Grating diSastrously on the business int
ests, North as well as South.