North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-10-06
From Col. Gillaspy.

OrruMwA, Iowa, Sept. 20. 1869.
To Chas. Do'r, +. Semple, andsQthcrs:
GENTLEMEN On my retusV to this
place, from campaign tour. found your
polite and earnest letter, enclosing to me
resolutions adopted by a meeting Of citi>
zens, at Franklin, in Lee county, in re-
gard to certain Il. r. Bonds, and the po-
sition Of the State and Federal Courts
thereon, and you express wish to as"cr>
tain the views of the candidates for Gov
ernor of this State, on the question pre-
.sented by these resolutions.
AS candidate for the highest Office in
the gift Of tie people of the State, Ihold
that it is your right to ask. and my duty
to answer all proper questions pertaining
to your interest, or the general welfare.
have carefully examined the resolu-
tons in question, and frankly assure you
that fully endorse the sentiments they
contain, and in the event that am elected
Governor Of the State Of Iowa, the Exec
utiye honor, to the extent of every con-
stitutional guarantee shall be brought in
to action, if necessary, to support the de-
cisions Of the Judicial Department OF the
State Government.
The dividing line between local State
! governments and Federal authority is so
closely defined, by the constitution Of the
United States and the practice of the wis
| est men and purest statesmen in the past,
that there is no honest excuse for mistak-
ing the applications of the principles that
lelong to the one or the other in any Civ
en- case.
In all questions pertaining to the Ma
! tional Constitution, or Federal law, the
jurisdiction of the National judiciary is
undoubted.
But in all issues which alone relate to
the State constitution and State laws, the
highest court Of the State is the supreme
and ultimate authority for their determin'
alton.
And the question of the validity or in
validity OF paper emitted by towns or
counties in Iowa as stock in Rail Road
companies is subject that so closely be-
longs to our State Court to ultimately de-
| termine, am astonished that any one will
seriously advocate the opposite view.
The general co ordinate departments OF
the Federal government can only act on
| such powers as are expressly delegated to
| them by the Constitution of the United
States.
But the Federal Constitution is not the
| authority under which the States act, 1t il
only limitation on the States over cer>
| tain subjects. For instance, every State
has its own body of laws-these laws are
| adapted to the circumstances and peculiar
situation of tie people of each State, and
afford protection to property, liberty and
lire-define crimes and their punishment
settles the tenure of our real estate-the
contracts aud obligations of the citizen
and a vast variety Of other subjects.
And this is what is called Estates
Rights" 1t being the duty Of the State
and within its exclusive jurisdiction tc
net on these various subjects. Every
good citizen and well-wisher of our Gov
eminent, State and Federal, must know
that if we would maintain harm ony, pro
cure property and gain the confidence O
| the people, it must bc by strict obsery'
ancc of the principles herein suggested
| the State must have the control of all sub
jects exclusively within its jurisdiction
And whether elected or not, shall always
regard as dangerous and oppose thos'
measures that has already gained TOT
much strength in this country, of limiting
the rights of the people and the State, by
usurping privileges and comforting power
upon the General Government.
am Respectfully,
GEORGE GILLAsPY.