The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1871-03-03

SPEECH OK
HON. M. e. KERR,
p IN TnI. Al
HOUSE ofREpEeEsEETATIvEs
rcD. -, 1877,
On the Bill to Amend an Act APP
proved May 81, 1870. Entitled
''.An Act 10 Eniorce -ihc. II !. ATS
Gf CitizcnS OF thc United States
10 Vote in the Seyara. States
Of this Union, and fcr Other
Purposes"
Mr.. Speaker, l oppose this oill for two
reasons: first, because il the power. TO
enact il exists under the constitution, it
is not cxpedicnt that ii should be cnac-
ted. IL is demanded by Io existing
conditions in our country. lis deman-
ded by no neglect OF the States to lcgis-
late on the subject of elections, and by
no resistance 10 tie laws for the regula-
liion and government Of elections
| Throughout oi,r country. The assunp-
ton OH the part Of gentlemen in this
House that il is necessary 10 enact such
laws as this at all by reason ofany omis-
sion Of duty on the part o. the States is
alike uncalled for, unjust, and offensive.
say therefore 10 the gentleman from
Ohio Mr.. Lawrcnccl that when he says.
pointing 10 us on this side Of the House.
| that we admit there is 4 ncccssily for this
kind Of legislation, lie asserts what do
not admit and whit no man on this side
OF tic House admits, so far IS know.
On the contrary, l say to him that the
Democratic party have faith in the pco-
Iple and inlhc States: in their intclli-
lrcnce, virtue, and patriotism. and in the
lcapecity OF their local Legislatures, flty
and adequately TO regulate aud protect
all these important interests.
We repclthc offensive theory Of the
majority that a.l sound, political reason
and coincidence are to lie tound in Con-
olcss or Congrcssmen. On the cont rary,
we mold and believe that in all matters
4 of local and domestic concern and rCgli-
lation The jurisdiction OF the States
ioupht never IS be invaded by Congress,
but s,.ould be ,nost vigilantly protected
lasa sacred trust. and that i'll oil such
matters lie people and the States are ten
Hold more competent TO enact wise and
liudicjous laws, and lave very much
\ greater induce pcnt, and would be much
more Mae,y Ia execute item in GOOD
.aiih. 10 maintain lie tights and iiber-
lies OF The people. end 10 preserve the
purity Of election tlIan tlis body. State
Iroretrtutions end institutions ap.I nas..,
lar liberty are infinitely better observed
and rrntrcied by the State legislature;
than are the like Interests underline ted
lcrai Gcvcrnmcnt by Congress.
therefore do not agree with the gen
: tlcman II ON Tennesscc, Mr.. Maynard,
when, hv fling cast at Il is side of tht
House, lie suggests tha! we are alway'
resisting cilcrls to maintain ilc purii,
iof the ballot-box. say 10 him that ",
resist no efforts of that Kind that ar'
, prorcr ard lcral. and that Tic record 0
The Democratic party contradicts al
such assertions. The glory ofthat grea
& panty. as The friend and protector OF law
order. and the Constitution, cannot b'
diminished by lin. for il Is known Of a
men. and is (: part o! our national his
/. 'iGiv. And ! want him 10 remember
what lie woll knows. and what Know
ana ilis country knows, that whercye
lEe,uhlican oilcy has prevailed, whcr
). ever Tie Radical reconstruction ideas 0
igovclumeMt Lave dominated. as IN IN
\
and Louisiana and other States OF th'
+ south, where his party have enacted
laws for the government OF elections
!, they lave not only been inferior Ill WIS
dom. intrinsic excellence, and honest &c
gard for tho welfare OF tie people. u
those enacted 10y the Dcnicraiic part.
wherever it hoid sway, lut hey haV
been in thoir details, il ,Lc.r pole.
: simply infamous and outrageous viola
lions Of common honesty aad commo'
ldccency. 1hcy are o4jen shamelcssl.
partisan, ,dcfantlv ncg!eci.ul of the right!
and liberties ofthe people. made TO eiec
, Republicans and 10 defeat tic election
lof Democrats, and oiuelly prospcctiy
against all conservative men.
Mr.. Maynard. Mr.. Speaker, what
said
Mr.. Kerr. l do not yield; ! have ~
time. Hence il is that there arc siitin.
Ion this floor to-day SO many Hcin1er
whom tho people never elected ana icv
: or would elect, and in whom their ont
RACED constituents have no confidence
They came here us the fruit OF dcspoii
Republican election laws, executed D.
llawlcss men. This fling at the Demo
cratic party comes, therefore, with oa'
q taste from any Southern Radical, am
,ie would not be Just or true il uttered D
rs any man on his floor.
asl hut. Mr.. Speaker, ] say this bill is nei
thcr demanded by the people nor rc
ouircd by any existing conditions III on
country. W hat does the Consti'nsio
say? 1t says
} .lhai the times. places, and mannc
OF holding elections for Senator'S am
Represeniatiycs sIiall be rrcscri ocd
each State by The Legislature thereof"
+. Where. then. iias tho Constitution lei
,his great power? 1t is left with th
h. Legislatures Of the States themselves
q ihc safest guardians OF popular libert!
.tAnd n is on,v in certain extreme cnici