The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1869-01-28
CONGRESSIONAL CONTROL OF THE
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE

While the question Is mooted OF
amending the Constitution OF the United
States SO as 10 guarantee the light OF
suffrage to all citizens without distiDc-
ton OF color, some Of the rrofoundest
thinkers in Congress and elsewhere are
firmly Of the opinion that that body
Possesses tive CONSTITUTIONAL power to
regulate thst matter in its own way.
Tne riga, OF 90 Hrage is certainly polit-
lea, right, ana none will attempt to
dear that IN Congress, and nowhere
else whatever OF political regulations
can be made for the StateS, outside
thereof, can there properly be regulated.
This principle was decided, years ago,
By the Supreme Court, in its decision
upon the Dcrr Rebellion Case. We
dodge the question when we set up,
That suffrage is not a right, bat n
privilege" Decay al old voter his bal
lot and see how soon he will go TO the
Courts for bis - rights and get them,
too, Il the law is on his side. When the
Constitution sets forth that Congress
shall guarantee to the States Republic
eau form OF government, il means
great deal ; and having imposed that
high obligation upon that body II leaves
il TO its discretion to determine what
shall be Republican form of govern
man, Who shall decide upon the mat
ter if no, Congress itself? We earn
estiy believe that it IS a mere question
o. policy, and not at all one of Consti-
tatioual power aud that Congress is
fully enabled, under the Constitution,
TO pass uniform Franchise Act
that would be biad.ng upon all
the States. If not, why my not
q majority il State vest them
selves with perpetual power or DO any
other act repugnant to car generally !
accepted notions OF what a Republican .
government should be? Commenting |
upon this question, and criticising the
attitude assumed thereupon by Senator
Trumbuli, Harpers Weekly says;
Because it may be difficult to define with |
perfect precision what a republican form of
government is, il surely does not follow that
there is none. Nor because the significance
Of the word increases with further reflection
ought sensible men sensible government
80 taip ham Z: nva
rant Interpretation. The guarantee of
republican forE is permanently imperative
upon the United States. Il Is the duty of
Congress, therefore. whenever the question
arises, to answer It by its convictions at that
time. With the conviction of the country
to-day, undoubtedly the constitutional clause
OF this guarantee, and the clause aPportion-
ing representatives and direct taxes are in
consistent, because the latter Tecognzee a
large class of persons not free. and slavery is
not compatible with d republic. But that is
no longer question. There are no slaves
there are only free citizens in tie country.
And are not women free citizens: asks MIR.
Irumbuu. Undoubtedly ana did the SEN +
ator ever see any substantial argument
against their claim TO political power: Then
he would undoubtedly ask in return whether,
ii Congress may declare government by
single man or family in any State not to be
republican, 1t may also declare government
by sex no; to be republican? 1t seems, GER
.ainly, that it may do the last if it may do I
tne first; and does Mr.. Trumbull deny that 4,
it may do the first Ii he does deny it. is it
possible to show how Congress Can execute ;
Inc mandate of the Constitution; If means
any thing, what does it means Does it mean
that the United States may interfere upon
The reQutsition of the Governor of State if
|, citizen tries to make himself Hing, but ,
may not interfere if a majority OF the electors
make him King: But, in the former case,
has the State less republican form than in i
the latteri II the United States must guar
sntee a republican form, must they not der ,
eide when it is necessary to exert the author
NV so imposed
There Is still some thing to be said of the >,
manner in which this authority may best be
sxercised, as well upon the point whether,
,onceding the right and the authority of
Cor gress, the result contemplated may be
more wisely attained by ID CONSTITUTE mai
amendment.