The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-07-20

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The 3aymmeG Lmw-yO Oecasfom
for It's EmacfmeRf-A Terrible
Penal Ssnfnfe-Net War
ranted by the Constifu.
TiOma1 Amendmenfs-
Hts Repeal, fhe
WasehwOFd.
Peaceable citizens of Mississippi have
bitterly experienced the workings of this
barbarous act, in being dragged from
their families and business and trans
ported for trial under federal military
escort to distant points. Admitting, for
the sake of argument land for arguments
sake only, that the recent amendments
irregularly and illegally inserted in the
Constitution, warrant the subversion of
State authority for the punishment of
crimes over which the latter has exclu-
siye cognizance, in the manner provided
by this atrocious measure, it is neverthe-
less clear that there was no occasion what
ever for its passage and for its execution.
So far as Mississippi is concerned, we
have seen that Governor Alcorn, the
head of tie Radical party in this State,
again and again notified the authorities,
on his honor as a man, and his response
bility as the Executive of the State, that
" the State presented ass ua6roken evide1lce
of ciUH order and obedience" These assu-
RANGES were given after the Higgins af-
fair and the Meridian riot, which has
been shown by the testimony adduced
before the Outrage Committee to have
been precipitated by Loyal Leaguers.
Proof as to the reign of order in other
Southern States, notwithstanding the
proyocating character of the legislation
imposed upon them by alien Office holders
not of their selection, except in instances
where disturbances had been created by
the partizans of the Administration, was
no less conclusive.
ITS AMBIGUOUS FEATURES.
On this point let US quote U. S. Sena-
tor Carl Shurz, the ablest of all the Re
publican Senators, but the man who,
rising above party, declared that he would
never consent to purchase the favor of
the President by surrendering his hon
" est convictions" He said:
ITO further by force of arms pet scheme
of the white House, in which neither Con-
gress nor the people of the United States
had shown the least interest, the war pow
ers had been usurped, the Constitution fnva-
ded i'm one of its most essential and vital
features, the peace and dignity of the coun-
try put in jeopardy in the reckless manner
he Mr.. ShurZl had described. He would
say to Senators who had undertaken the task
of defending these things that they had un-
dertaken hopeless task, and, to oil appear
ances, an impossible one"
No less strong, in describing the ini-
quitous features of the law, was the Ian
guage of William C. Bryants N. Y.
Evening Post, an able Republican paper,
which said:
This legislation is not only unconstitu-
tional, but it is impolitic, and SO vague in
its form that by the TRADITIONS of the law. it
might be pronounced "void for uneer-
tainty."
III ID DCCAuSC ~ doouHuNs
national jurisdiction over municipal police
matters, which are not delegated by the
Constitution to Congress. LII two persons
''conspire' to commit any crime against per-
sons or property, this bill, by the natural
construction of its terms, takes them from
the State authorities and brings them before
the United States tribunals as police courts.
1t erects new seats of justice, with juris-
diction which conflicts at alf points with
that of the State courts, and sets up two dis
tinct and widely different penal code, for the
same classes of offenses, in the same ter
ritory.
1t is impolitic, because it affords an oppor-
tunity for indefinite annoyance and oppres-
sion to be exercised under. the forms of law
towards the very men who ought to be con-
ciliated by the general governments and who
must be treated with fOrbearance and kind
ness, IL peace is ever to be obtained through
out the land.
But why quote these authorities, high
as they unquestionably are, to show the
savage features of the bill? They are
better described by the experience which
our honorable, peaceable and law-abiding
citizens have had in its ruthless applica-
ton to them.
A TERRIBLE PENAL STATUTE.
A single reference to the law will suf-