Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-29
WITH THE STATES OF THE UNION
REST THE PERPETUATIOS OF
FREEDOM IN AMERICA.

WITH THE STATES OF THE UNION
REST THE PERPETUATION OF
FREEDOM IN AMERICA.
The policy of the Republican party IS
to centralize all power in the Federal
Government, Leaving the States mere
dependencies upon the bounty OF Con-
gress. The design in establishing the
present Constitution aud Federal system
was to insure domestic tranquility be-
tween the States, provide for the general
defense, promote the general welfare
and secure the blessings of liberty to the
American people. 1t can be seen from
reading the preamble of our Constitution
hat it was designed not to interfere with
the States originally in the management
of their domestic affairs, but to leave
these to their own guidance and control.
The Federal Government, as has been
.tated in the few words above, was de-
signed for the general good and protec-
tisn of all the States in collective ca
uacity, as we'll as against other nations
in the con H,cting interests arising out OF
the near relations of the different SOW
ereignties that composed the family
union. The Republican idea of con-
trolling the States by the power OF the
Federal Government had its origin in
the minds of the old Federalists, which
seeds, sown by Alexander Hamilton and
others of bis school, have only lain
dormant during the life of the Re-
public, but have now sprung into
existence, and by their rapid growth
threaten to choke ont the indepen'
dence of the States. The leverage OF
power in this Government is the ballot,
which constitutes the great distinguished
that puts in motion the entire machinery
of government.
1t is urged by the Republican sheet at
Nashville that the chief danger to the ma
tional Government is found in the fact
that the States have the power of control
ing the question of suffrage within their
own borders. What an absurd state
ment, indeed, to make. If the right to
regulate this matter is lett to Con-
s.ess will there be any additional
security TO the Federal Government
We cannot see how there should be,
when Congress is liable to err in legis-
lating upon the subject, as are the States
themselves. Then we care not what re-
suiction may be placed upon the voters
in the States by Congress. should 1t have
the power, or if any at ell; the people
will at all times vote as they think bsst
for their interest. regardless of what the
Federal authorities may think. Look at
the secession move 10 Tennessee, apd
who can pretend that such result
would not have happened if Con-
gress had had the right to regulate
suffrage 10 the States. 1t is matter Of
impossibility to divine and know who
will be the enemies of the General
Government at all times in the fu
ture, and have those only disfrsn'
chised and disabled from making
mischief. To-day the Southern rebel is
deprived Of the ballot for participation ir
the war Of State Rights, and tomorrow
New England may secede because her
manufacturing interest is not protected
by high tariff; or, forsooth, the General
Government may engage in war with
France or Great Britain, which would be
preiudicial to the financial interest Of our
Puritan neighbors. This question Of
regulating suffrage is as liable TO prove
hurtful in the hands Of the National
Government as il exercised by the
States individually. There is no security
to this or any other Government unless
it be founded upon the affections Of the
people. Therein rests the stability Of the
National Government.
The United States Government may
do all, and will in legislating upon the
franchise, that the States could or would
attempt, should the Fifteenth Amend.
meni be passed. The Republican organ
alluded to above says that at present
there is no security against the despotisu
OF the States over their own citizens
Nov, Cor this Important information tina
people would iyrannize overthemselves
the editor Of the Press aud Times should
have a leather medal awarded him
There is as much Sease in il as il VI
should assert that there was great DANCE
Of oar people throwing themselves int
prison. Shall we have the inler:-rene'
Of the General Government to proven
such thing7 Reducfio dd dbsurdum