Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-02-26
For long time Southern Journals have

| For long time Southern Journals have
attempted, in vain, to convince the masses
OF the North that the effort of Congress to
destroy every yestige Of State rights in the
South, on the false plea assumed, was but
the Initiative of the same course to be pur-
sued as to the Northern States, ultimately to
result in huge Capitalization of power, in
which States would lose their distinctiyeness
as well as their rights.
Judging from the tone of some of the lead
ing Radical Journals, on the proposed suf-
1rage amendment, the predicted result is now
anticipated by the Northern people, who are
beginning to exhibit their alarm at its mon
strosity. As an evidences Of this we copy
the following comments of the Providence
q. - journal, Republican and would
suggest that the plea of necessity" allu-
ded to by the Journal, may serve to
cover up che unconstitutional action towards
the South, but is dangerous plea. It will
be used with equal effect against the North.
The only remedy is to meet the thing square
ly and defeat every attempt of partisans to
interfere with the reserved rights Of States,
North or South, upon any plea whatever
In this only lies the hopeof the preservation
of the Union of our fathers.
The Journal thus discourses
''Should this amendment be confirmed by
the States, and go into effect, it cannot fail
to work very important change in the gov
eminent and institutions OF the country
The article annuls forever all special quail
fcations for holding Office in any Of the
States, and will inevitably require very i'm
portant alterations in several of the State con-.
situations, as well as in the relations of all
the States to the general government. It
will prove by far the longest step that has
thus far been taken toward the consolidation
Of our political power and the virtual over
throw of State institutions. m
ga change like this which is proposed by
the Senate is fundamental and far-reaching.
As was earnestly eontended by several lead
ing members Of that body, it is essentially
revolutionary in its tendencies and results.
Our political system will be very greatly
modified by its operation, and with the facil-
ity, which will thus be introduced of making
still further changes. it is impossible fully
to estimate Or even to anticipate the ulterior
consequences that are likely to flow from It.
Out Of necessity which the rebellion forced
upon the States Of the South, and which re-
ally pertained only to them, the champions
of a particular theory of social rights have
carried through the Senate change in the
fundamental law which strikes down every
thing like local independence in State af-
fairs, and abolishes all power in State to
protect itself against any social or political
evils to which it may be especially exposed.
The constitution of the United States, as thus
amended, will clearly no longer be the con-
stitution which was adopted by our fathers.
With such provision, even as a possible
anticipation, it could never have passed the
convention Of 1887; still less could it have
been accepted by the popular conventions Of
any of the States If it is now confirmed,
it will be only an overthrow Of State consti-
tutions, under the spurious guise of con-
| II r.