Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-02-22

n,enf-4nalysis of the Vote Upon Il
Radical Opinions Concering Us URcoaSti-
t,tioaaliiy-R What the Effect VA Be.
WASHINGTON, February Is, 1870.
The votes yesterday in the Senate are con-.
sidcred here of the highest importance, in
their bearing upon future legislation, ''to carry
into effect the Fifteenth amendment" Al
thourh the decisive vote was upon the admis-
sion of Mississippi without conditions, yet it
was understood that members voted with di-
rect reference to the propositions submitted in
the speeches of Messrs Trumbull aud Car
penter in opposition to the aggressive doc
trines of Messrs Morton and Howard. What
are these propositions?
Mr.. Trumbull contended that Congress
was not the grand custodian of the liberties
of this country that even under the Fifteenth
Amendment, Congress had no power to regu-
late suffrage in the States, nor any other do
nestle institution that any one of them
could as some do now, prescribe property or
an educational qualification that the said
amendment only prevented a discrimination
ON account of race or color, &c. MIR. Car
penter, coin Gliding in these views, traced the
consequences of a contrary doctrine. He
said 81 understand the Senator" Mr.. Nor
ton) 'sto maintain the proposition that Con-
gress has the constitutional power, as means
to guarantee the existence of republican gov
ernment in a State, to legislate on the subject
of common schools. Then I should like to
know what are the limist of susch power of
interference II he does not renounce that
power deny it." And further: The doc
trine contended for strikes the State govern
ments out of existence for what subject is
beyond Congressional control? Publcschools,
universities and colleges may all be controlled
by Congress. Religion, too, is as potent an
agency as education in sustaining free institu-
tious; and may Congress build churches, ed
ucate bishops and appropriate mony for the
preaching of the Gospel? The administra-
ton of justice, even is not saved to the States"
The views of Messrs. Trumbull and Car
penter received the implied appreciation of the
following Senators, in the course of yes
terday's voting, viz Messrs, Bayard, Cas-
serly, Cole, Coakliag Davis, Fent0a, Ferry,
Fosoycr, Hamilton, Johnston, Kellogg. Morrill,
of Maine, McCreery, Nye, Ross, Salisbury,
lSdryer, Scott. iSprdgue, Ste1cdrt, Stockton,
Thurman, Upton, TrumJM, Vickers, Warren,
Wiley and WWiams-28 in all. have
given the Republicans in italics. The abb
sentees upon the votes were NJ essrs. Car
pcnter, and Howe, his colleague (who paired
Of, ard Messrs Cattell, Corbett, Lewis, Nor
ton. Schurz and Sherman. OF these, Mr..
Norton is a Democrat Mr.. Carpenters vote
was sure, of course, and it is fair to assume
MIR. Lewis (who is from YirgiDia) and MIR.
Sherman (who has recently voted with Dir.
Trumbull and Mr.. Carpenter) would have re-
corded their votes with the CONSERVATIVES
making, in ALL thirty>two. At least to be
perfectly within bounds), this struggle has
shown that thirty Senators recorded their
:. L.,
the assumption of Congress Of further inter-
1neddling in State affairs.
The analysis, however, warrents far moro
important conclusion than its mere numerical
exhibition would justify. 1t will be seen
that it demonstrates that the public sentiment
of the entire Pacific slope has forced its rep
resentativcs to pause if not to retrace their
steps. 1t shows further that the whole peo-
ple of the Northwest Gin Wisconsin, Nebraska,
Minnesota, Illinois and Ohio; / say nothing
OF diana, which will shortly speak for itself1
have made deep impression upon their rep
rezentatives, who in turn have thus responded.
But my main purpose in referring thus closely
to these votes, and to what they mean, is to
draw attention to the fact that the States in
tended to be affected by Puerie acts Of Con-
gress interfering with their domestic and So
cial relations will have n great power at their
back. think it very probable that some
thing like Morton's bill may be pushed
through By the power of party screws and
spoils; but Maryland, and the other States
particularly aimed at may very we'll decliSe
to regard its provisions except ia Pickwiek-
ian sense, and hold up the record now ex-
hibited, in full justification Of course It
would be difficult to see how the General
Government" could inaugurate war under the
circumstances, and uttcrally inoonceivable
how defensive legislation against edicts null
and void could amount to an sEert act OF
treason. When Congress shall exercise the
power, through the Executive, of sending an
armed force 10 compel State Legislature to
record and enforce its edicts, then matters
will have so eliminated that such instituted
republican form of government must be
regarded by all thinkers as the only one TT
for people upon whom the outrage could be
inflicted. All is not yet lost. The extreme
Radical leaders have reached the critical
point Another step will preciPitnte them
upon actual hostilties against the liberties Of
the people and the rights of the States Are
they prepared to cross the Rubicon
1t is one thing to suppress hostiIities Of
whatever kid. In the estimation OF the
great body of even the Northern people, 1t Is
quite another to commence them, under
whatever pretence. y.