Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-04-03

/ may soon expect 10 De engaged IN
another imbroglio.
We believe that Senator Morton
advocates the doctrine OF the absolute
sovereignty of the federal govern
ment. DIR. Lord clocks horns" with
him on this point and proceeds in
The Independent" to state his OBJ
jections.
We do not propose to express any
opinion in reference to the respective
merits of the conflicting arguments Of
those gentlemen {; but enly to say
word in reference to the history Of the
disputed point. We feel justified in
asserting that the discussion is as in
terminable, and will be as barren of
good results, as some of those re-
nowned disputes which were mem
toned at the beginning Of the article.
The doctrine of State Rights is as
old as the Republic. Twelve years Of
executive failure under the ARTICLES
Of Confederation" induced the Revo-
lutionary Fathers to adopt the Consti-
tuition, which delegated certain pow
ers to a central government. This
constitution defines and limits the
power Of the federal government
Now the question broadly stated is,
have the separate States higher pow
ers than the general government {?
This question was agitated during the
financial administration of Hamilton,
and while Madison and Monroe filed
the presidential chair. 1t became
especially interesting when John G.
Calhoun induced the Legislature Of
South Carolina to pass the famous
Qualification Act" During the ses-
sion Of Congress of 1923 and 80, in the
memorable debate On 'tFoot's Resolu-
tion," between Webster and Hayne,
this perplexing question was handled
in a mastery manner. 1t is believed
BY many that at this time the Senate
witnessed the finest display of oratOri-
CA power that this country has ever
afforded. The rapid. fluent and bril-
liant rhetoric Of the Southern orator
was met by clear, cogent and compre-
hensive logic, which was enriched by
the brightest seintillations of Web
ster's grace of dietion and beauty Of
expression.
But still writer's wrote and speakers
spoke on States Rights. Southern
statesmen, Jealous of the increasing
importance and power of the North
in our national councils, continued
the "war Of words" with unabated
vigor. On the rostrum. in the pulpit,
at the fireside, the all absorbing ques-
tion was States Rights. Northern
men were ineonvineible. SOutherners
were blinded by prejudice, interest
and policy. The controversy waxed
hotter and hotter until it eliminated
in an appeal to arms. The sparks
which were struck by the contact of
the opponents ideas. kindled blaze
in the hearts of their respective pro-
mulgators, and spread desolatioI. over
land and sea. For a fsw years the
discussion has been siIenced Dy the
changing Of resoundfng arms. We had
hoped that it had been doomed to
everlasting oblivion, but it-like
Hamlet's ghost appears when not
expected. 1t again protrudes Its un-
welcome visage, sailing under the
same colors and bearing the same
motto. A million graves have. not
been able to hide Its vicious face, OF
insure the silence of its dangerous
tongue. The decisions of four years
war are disregarded. Verify a ques-
ton which has baffied a Clay, Web
ster and Calhoun, might well be
allowed to slumber in silence. States
Rights have cost our country many
of her brsvest sons, and ere another
half century shall be numbered with
'the past" they may cost the United
States their unity, our republican
principles subversion, and leave our
nation to founder among the shoals
of dissolution. ELM.