The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-05-06
IFrom The Cincinnati Enouirer..

IFrom The Cincinnati Enquirer..l
The Fifteenth Amendment, A Blow af tn
Organic Structure of the States and
the Interest Of Imperialism.
We are rejoiced that thinking mind
are questioning the virtues of the Eff
teenth Constitutional Amendment, a
they have been claimed and enlarge,
on by the partisan presses and politi
clans of the Radical party. Professo
E. d. MANSFIELD, of Ohio, whose 10y
atty and pasty fealty, we believe, ha
never been questioned, puts in his pro
test against the hasty adoption of the
Amendment, and especially its adop.
ton by Legislative bodies without al
lowing the people chance to vote Oh
the subject. Over the signature of ga
Veteran Observer he writes to tn.
New York Times:
"Are we to change the organi,
structures of the States, and, in fact
the Government, by mere force of par
ty discipline? Here are party major
tiles in the Legislatures, hurrying or
to adopt an organic change in the
Government, without any inquiry in.
to Its merits, and without asking the
opinion of the people. Are we Re-
publicans afraid to submit our ques-
tions to public opinion? If we are il
is time the people taught US better
and unless / am much mistaken they
will. know with what reckless and
thoughtless haste the majority of par
tisans ratify the DEGREES of caucus
but, know also, that there are thougt.
fM and intelligent men enough in this
country to turn the scale. wish the
people could be brought to q direct
vote on the qnestion-not merely
whether they would have negro suf-
fRage, but whether they will have Chi
nese and Hindoo suffrage? Do you
believe, Mr.. Times, have you any idea
that the people of New York would
ratify that amendment 2 You have not,
you are morally certain they would
not. What kind of transaction fs it,
in the morals of politics, Gf politics
have any morals,) which undertakes
to give the assent of New York, with
ont the consent of the people? The
hope of the politicians is, that the
amendment may be ratified, and the
people will not think of it again. But
they are mistaken. This is poisoned
cup, which will be put to their own
Hps.o
In New York, Pennsylvania, Indi-
ana Illinois, Missouri and other States
whose Legislatures have ratified the
Fifteenth Amendment propositions to
allow the people to express their will
on the subject were submitted to each
Legislature, and were voted down by
the Republican members. And they
were voted down because the Repub-
liean members feared that the people
would not agree to the amendment,
but would vote to reject it. Mr..
MANSFIELD then passes to another
question. He says:
turn now to the Constitutional
points, which are momentous enough
to excite some attention. / ask how
that amendment can be enforced. You
say, If recollect, the same as in other
cases of amendment. But do you rec
Oilect any case in which an amend
ment has been enforced? Have you
enforced the Fourteenth Amendment?
And if Georgia refuses to enforce it,
what do you propose to do? You can
not march an army to enforce the
Constitution, where it requires State
action for the resistance will be neg
alive, not active. There will be no re-
beilion, no violation of the laws. Suf-
frage depends on the State Constitu-
ton, and requires State laws to en-
force it. Suffrage requires time, place
residence, and various circumstances
to be determined by State laws. To
suppose that all these are to be deter
mined by Congress would be so mon
strous that am not prepared to see
any party attempt it, and am per-
fectly sure 1t would oyertprn any par
ty. 1t would be as great change In
our Government as when the Roman
Consul became Imperator.
YoN ask me how the State ia to
Ihslst> Simply by vis inertia and
that is simply enough. Let a State
refuse to act on that amendment, and
It is then at an end. Ifyou could get
An excuse for treating the State as in
EeUelHoH, you c0uld do what all the
CEsARs of the world have done
march an army in to overturn it's in
'titutions. But you will not have
hat. You will be reduced to the
of the Supreme Court and |
what is that worth against q state? I
will tell you what it is worth exactly, |
Nearly forty years ago, in the case of
w orcester Us. State of Georgia (per-
maps the title is not right, the case |
was decided in favor Of the indians
and against Georgia, The. Supreme
Gourt issued it's process and Georsia |
paid no attention to- it, and the Co1rt
vas utterly unable to enforce it's de-
iision and nothing can enforce the
lecision of the Court against q State |
except the army OF the United States, |
Thich in this case you can not en-
9foy. The ris inertia of State is
luficient to set the Fifteenth Amend !
nept at defiance" -
o.ho, r.....
A"o'nei oonstitutlonai point he
ms presents, and It is one of unusual
moment: p q i E.dei9h-35
4But / raised another opest;o, .ra
beg Won to consider II Hona .n, oI snu
nenfs tn tbe Const;4n+;o,, y o:.ss..u ,..N:a1o |