New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-11-30

asks: ''Where did Mr. BeckWith get bis
authority for the assertion that under the
changes which had been made in our con-
stitution, and in our frame of government,
the States of this Union had been reduced
tc mere municipalities, subject in all
things, to the power, control and DISPOSE
ton Of the federal government"
Now, we will answer this impairment
question Of the Times (impertinent, be
cause not properly putt BY quoting what
the United States District Attorney did
say in regard to the changes the consti-
tuition had undergone since the war He
said:
My ditfideuce, if the court pleasos, arises
not from any difficulty involved either in
the question of jurisdiction, or whether We
are entitled TO the relief we ask for, but
from the fact that, perhaps, for the first
time in the history OF this C0untry-its his
tory since the War-there has been occasion
to submit to a court for a Judicial determi-
nation the extent and range to which the
thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments have changed the form Of our gov
eminent. There are a great many people,
and, strange to say, believe d great many
people in this locality, where last Of all they
should have it-have the idea and believe
that the old system Of semi. State IEdepend-
ence is the only one consistent with peace
and order, consistent with the full prOtec-
ton Of the rights Of individuals, who are
lGath to believe that in the grtag revolution
that began with war and produced legisla-
ton that probably never would have been
produced or enacted before the war, has
produced an extraordinary change in the
constitutional and legal relationship Of the
citizens Of State to the United States.
Before the war citizenship Of the United
States was very poor thing. 1t
was subordinate citizenship, incident to
the citizenship Of State Now, if the
court please, the whole ching has been re-
Versed and changed; the first dominant and
controlling citizenship IS the citizenship OF
the United States, and the citizenship that
attaches to the State Is more a matter Ct in
Cidental residence or sUj0uru-it may have
been considered by some, and as l hear,
strange to say ia this disturbed locality,
where it has been in some manner prOtGC-
tive Of the laws and tie guarantees that
the law presumed to give it to peace and
happiness and the protection OF property.
If it Is considered somehow or other that
something terrible is involved in this; it
may be; it may be d terrible thing that
the dominant powers OF the federal arms
extend to the miEutest details OF State and
municipal governments; and.if - Is so We
must accept il; but, nercifui God. what can
be worse than the government we have
here III the right OF State government Is
to be the right Of State niisrule. l say 1t ia
difficult to conceive what on earth N the
record OF invented government II the past
or Of probable government ia the 3utuye can
be worse.
In giving The language Of Mr.. Beck
with upon the subject. the Times has
catechised him as to where he gets his
authority tog asserting that under certain
circumstances 1.-THE dominant po8crs Of
the fedora! arms extend 80 the minute8t
details Of State and municipal govern.
ment." We give the answer to the question
propounded. Tho authority comes from
the constitution and laws OF the country.
and if the Times had the proper reverence
for them and those chosen 70 enforce
them, and respect for the will Of the peo-
pie. it would not DC guilty Of its Idle talk
about 80 consolidated centralized empire
In conclusion. we will tell our neighbor to
learn that the rights Of our people under
the federal constitution. rs amended. hove
been made paramount 20 the rights OF
States. if State governments violate the
rights Of tie people. .. any portion of
them. the federal government stands
pledged to see them 'ighted. I. IS rs.
serted .ani believed that the rights .!