The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-06-14
ResOlutiO OF the Ohio Democracy.

Resolved. By Mc pemocracy of OHIO,
That, denouncing the extraordinary
means by which they were brought
about, we recognize as accomplished
facts the three amendments to the
Constitution recently declared adopt
ed, and consider the same rs no long
er political issues before the country.
I'd. We demand that the rule of
strict construction, rs proclaimed by
the Democratic fathers and accepted
by statesmen Of all parties, DO vigor.
ously applied now to the Constitution
above referred to, and insist that
those amendments shall not be held
to have in any respect altered or
modified the original theory and
character Of the Federal Government,
but only to have enlarged the powers
delegated to it, and to that extent
and no uIore to have abridged the
reserved rights of the States, and
that as thus construed, the Democrat {.
ic party pledges itself to full,
faithful aud absolute execution and
enforcement Of the Constitution as it
now is, so as to secure equal rights
to all persons under it without dis.
tinction of race, color or condition.
Sd. That the absolute equality of
each aud every State within the
Union is Fundamental principle of
the Federal Government that we
should always cherish and uphold
the American system Of State Govern
ment for State purposes and the Gener.
al Government for general purposes on
iy, and are unalterably opposed to all
attempts at centralix ,tion or conso.da-
tion of power ia the hands of the Gcnc,-
al Government, aud more especiall,
when such attempts arc in the form
of usurpation by any department of
Governmept. 4th. That We adhere
firmly to the princirle of maintaining
perfect Independence between the
coordinate departments of the Guv>
ernment, the Legislature, executive
and judicial, condemning all encroach-
meDts by the one upon the functions
ofthe other.
9Th. While the fundamental law,
as expressed in the Constitution, is
necessarily paramount, until abrcga-
ted as prescribed in that instrument,
all legislation is in its nature and
purposes, temporary, and subject
to change, modification or repeal at
the will of the majority of the
people, as expressed through the law.
making power and that the pretcnsc
that any Act of Congress not execu-
ted, Or any legislative policy of party
is an absolute 6nality, is total y in-
consistent with the whole theory of
government, and that it is. the un.
questionable, right Of the people, of
themselves and through their represen.
tatiVes, ut each successive election,
and in each successive Congress, to
judge what legislation is necessary,
proper or appropriate to carry into
execution or enforce the central pow
ers, rights and, duties of the Federal
Government.
- 9th. That as an instance of the emil
nently appropriate legislation under
the fourteenth amendment, we de-
mand now of Congress universal am.
nesty. 80 ,l.e.
7th. That while we donouEce all
riotous combinations and conspiracies
against law, or to disturb peace in
the South or elsewhere, we demand
ofall good citizens their utmost in
fuence to'put oil such down. We
also denounce the Act commonly call
cd the bayonet bill, recently passed
by Congress. and the more recent Act
oommonl called the Ku 'Klux bin,
extending by Its term to any State,
and enacted for no other purpose
than to complete centraliantions Of
all power in the hands Of the general
Government, and to establish mill
tary despotism and thus to perpetu-
ate the present Administration with
out regard TO the will of the people,
as not only ,iDconsistont with the
whole theory, and character of tho
Federal Government, and as rcyulu-
tionary and dangerous in their char
acter, but are in direct conflict with
the spirit and letter of the Constitu-
tion, including the amend ments which
they pretend to enforce.
9Th. That holding still to the good
old Democratic doctrine Of anuexa-
tion or the acquisition of territory,
wesro yet totally opposed to the
scheme of President Grant to acquire
st. Domingo as JOB, aud by the
means and for the purpose evidently
intended. t'''i3 - ''H0'F1H"'#
Och! That we are in favor of q
strictly revende tariff conformed to
the theory and principle Of all other
just and wise tax laws, and opposed
togthe protective theory, so-oalled. j
10th. That protligate corruption
and wanton extravaganoe which
per7ade every department. Of the
Federal Governments, sacrifice the
Interests of labor and aggrandize a
handful of aristocrats, and are
n