The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-06-03
THE OHIO RESOLUTIONS.

cratic State Convention In ohlo ias'
Thursday, are published in full this
morning. They will attract an unusual
degree OF public attention, both by
reason Of the fact that they are to
certain extent looked upon as contain
ing the germ Of the National Democrat
10 platform of 1872, and because Of the
national prominence and acknowledged
ability OF the men who have put forth
this declaration Of principles. The dis
cussion which has been had in OHIO
and throughout the country at large
during the past few weeks in relation
N the position to be assumed 10y the
Democratic party, in reference part'cu-
larly to the three recent amendments OF
the Federal Constitution, have invested
this platform with more than usual In
terest and will cause it to be studied
with more than usual care.
The first resolution states the histor-
zeal fact that these amendments have
been adopted and are no longer political
issues before the country. The second
asserts the opinion that, as in all other
cases of the Arrangement ofthe reserved
rights of the States, these amendments
should he strictly construed and held
no, to sanction any legislation beyond
the narrowest limit OF the power they
convey. This is the dividing line be
tween Democracy and Radicallsm.
Both profess allegiance to the Federal
Constitution and both recognize the fact
that the Constitution has been recently
amended so as to give to the National
Congress certain power which it did not
formerly possess. But the true extent OF
that power is the matter in dispute. The
Democrats insist upon such a construc-
ton O the Constitution as shall leave
to the State. and the people the largest
possible liberty in the regulation Of
their local government and affairs.
The Radicals insist upon stretching
to and beyond lis utmost extent
the power granted TO Congress
in the Federal Constitution and would
virtually destroy all the reserved power
Of the States to regulate their domestic
concerns. Under grant Of power to
enforce the provisions of the Fourteenth
Amendment by appropriate legisla-
ton, the Radicals claim that Congress
has the right 10 interfere in almost
every conceivable respect with subjects
that have heretofore been held to be
exclusively within State control, and
the tendency of their legislation has
been to centralize the Government and
abrdge the power Of the States and the
people. 1t is against this construction
OF the Federal Constitution and against
this tendency of Federal legislation that
the Democratic party contends. And
this we understand to be the doctrine
Of the Ohio resolutions.
We are unable TO see in this any de
parture," whether new or otherwise,
from the traditional tenets OF the Demo
cratic party Always the party Of the
people and the enemy Of usurpation'
it is so still; always jealous OF encroach'
ment upon popular rights, 1t atiirms
that every grant Of power must be
strictly construed and confined to its
narrowest limit. This is certainly old
fashioned Democratic doctrine, as old
as the days OF THOMAS JEFFERSON, and
worthy of universal acceptance.
1t is proper to add that we are as
sured that the Ohio resolutions, in so
far as they relate TO national affairs,
have been subjected to the criticism and
receive the warm assent Of the most
eminent and able men Of the party in
Ohio and in the nation at large They
They have been carefully considered
and every word has been accurately
weighed. They received the endorse
ment of seventeen OF the nineteen rep
reseutive Democrats of Ohio who com
posed the committee on resolutions, anc
were adopted by nearly three-fourth'
vote in the largest and most enthuslas
tic Democratic Convention ever held ii
that State.
They come therefore with something
like authority as a candid and careful
expression Of Democratic opinion, and
as such they will be considered by the
people. They will be thoroughly dis
cussed during the summer, and the
more they are studied the more their
wisdom will be approved. Upon this
platform, the Democracy of Ohio can
scarcely fail Of achieving glorious
victory next October. The ticket is q
particularly good one and the campaign
opens with more than usual auspices o