Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-11-02
The New York Election,

approaches the feelings of the people
fgrow warmer, and at this time the
Empire city may be said to be in a
political ferment. Nor is it much
wonder United States Marshal
Sharpe has determined to supervise
the election, through the medium of
several hundred deputies, appointed
BINDER the act relating to elections
passed last winter by Congress. At
torney General Alderman visited the
city a few days ago with special ref.
erence to this matter, and in consul
4ation with the Marshal and Judge
| Woodruff, of the United States Dis
trict Court, determined that the fed.
eral law should be rigidly enforced at
!, X hazards. On the other hand il
rs sad that Governor Hoffman has
fully determined on the course which,
in the event Of the federal law being
too closely pressed, by the marshal,
he will pursue. He has submitted
the question to gentlemen of the best
/ legal abilitics-to such men as Chas,
O'Connor, Geo. TicSnor Curtis, and
other eminent lawyers, democrats
and ropublicans-and they have ex-
pressed the opinion that the act of
Congress is unconstitutional; that
the Governor is bound TO follow the
plain constitutional law Of the State,
and that every federal soldier and ev-
cry deputy marshal who obstructs or
hindors the polling Of votes, or con
spires 10 do so, must be arrested, tried
and sentenced. In pursuance Of this
opinion, it is stated that Governor
Hoffman will keep the State militia
under arms, ready to resist any at
tempt made by federal bayonets TO
enforce the law of Congress.
This has a bad appearance. II is
to be deeply regretted that there
should be n question Of right between
the State and the federal government
to be settled-more especially when
it appears probable that violence will
occur before settlement is reached.
But in our Judgment the case is
plain one. The State is right and the
federal government is wrong; and
we shall defend the Governor and the
State authorities in whatever meas
urcs sanctioned by the constitution
and laws of New York, thsy may see
proper to adopt torepel any encroach-
ment on the rights of the State by the
federal marshals or troops
] aInll lnva vaur1.aI YraffN
pass, indeed, when we shall be taught
our duties in the respective States by
the civil and military minions Of the
federal government; and not only
taught our duties, but forced TO oXer-
else them according to the act Of Con
grcss under the surveillance Of deputy
marshals armed with bludgeons or at
the point of federal bayonets.
We earnestly pray that Governor
Hoffman may have frmness enough
for the emergency. If in crisis
of this kind New York, democratic in
all her departments, should wavor or
succumb to federal power unconstitu,
tonaly exercised, where could we
look for barrier against the aggres.
sions Of Congress and an Executive
apparently dctermied to strike down
all State rights, and convert the gov.
ernment into centralized dospotism.
There is no question that the ad-
mnislration has determined to en-.
force the law at whatever cost Post
master General Crcsswell, in a speech
delivered by him in Baltimore on
Monday night, said with great en-
phasis. "lf these laws shall be faith
fully executed there can be no doubt
that they will accomplish their pur.
pose aud they will be faithfully exc.
cuted to the last jot and title, can
give you the most authoritative as
(, surance. All the powers of the Uni
ted States welded to effect a fair cleo
tion"
No doubt he spoke with authority,
the action of the marshals everywhere
show clearly enough the iniohtion Of
tho administration.
On Tuesday there were S,457
names registered in New York city
under the State registry law. OBJ
jcclions were taken by the Marshal,
the U. s. District Judge and several
leading radical politicians that con.
tinration of the registry on Wcduos,
day would be illegal This was done,
obviously, in the hope that no atten.
tior would be paid TO it, and that
they would have a fine opportunity
to raise row on election day and
make arrests under the authority of
Congress. But the mayor of New
York saw through the manUuvre and
ISSUED the following
PROCLAMATION