Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-28
Address TO the Conservative Voters Of
Virginia.
STATE CONSERVATIVE COMM
A DC I

/
August 26, 1872.
| To-day we announce the names OF the county
canvassers for the political campaign OF 1872:
The list of electors, assistant and senatorial
electors, already published, embraces much of
the maturcd talent of the State. In this, with
much of the same material, we have sought to
enlist the ardor, energy and zeal Of her youth.
And with one exho-tatlon TO all Speak unto
the children of Israel that they 60 forward
Can Virginians hesitate? If there be any
DISPOSED to falter, to fall out of the great Con-
servative column as it moves along, let them
consider that there are but two sides here in
this controversy that with which they have
battled for years for the redemption OF our
State and people, aud that which has strlven
and is striving to inhiot negro dominatlon pc:
litical disfranchisement, and the untold woes OF
carpet-bag government on all the people of the
South. There are but two parties in the coun-
try the Grant Radical faction-which trcads
with the armed heel of power on the neck OF
the South; which. prompts, inspires, and sup
ports the expressions under which she bleeds
and the great united party of the opposition
the Democracy Of the land and their Liberal
allies. Choose we between them. There is no
step from Greeley that does not lead to Grant.
The ''straig ht-outs are straight tor Grant: =
|
gives him half the influence and effect OF pos
tive vote.
Can it be denied that the present Admins
tration supports not only with the public money
and patronage, but by judicial prosecutions, by
corrupt management Of the ballot-box, and by
military force, the usurping governments which
grind the States south of US into dust and ASH
es; which have dishonored their public faith,
bankrulted their treasures, broke down their
institutions of learning and charity ; put their
legislatures, their Judiciary, their society," uoder
the control of northern adventures and ne
groes; in word, waged war upon the white
civiiz ition which has grown and 1ourlshed in
those States from their foundation?
And what but the successful uprising il Flr-
pinia in 1869 makes our condition different
from theirs? Then we overwhelmed the party
which voted solidly to distranchiSe almost every
rcspectable white man in the State and invest
the negro race with the permanent control OF
the State. Then we felt
1--WE all were better in our graves
Than live to be the slaves of slaves"
Has this party changed its character or pur.
pose? Their standing r solutions, published
| daily before our eyes, assure Us that these pm
ciples now are exactly what they were 10 lSG9
| Grant gives them the oustom-houses, which
they turn into seminarieS OF Sedltlon Tor there
they concoct their schemes OF otfclous inter
meddling with the State elections, which III
purer tunes would have been the signal for
fflcir Instant election from office, as we hope 1t
will be again. There they contrlve tor the ne
gro vote for control by its means OF the Lrgls-
ature of the State and that once attained they
themselves tell Us what will follow support
Grant aud you support them.
| n, RI Stltp
as an independent political institution? Would
they see the States, the creators Of the Union,
absorbed in the central despotism which Is fast
usurping its place? Ever since the Grant
| Radicals found themselves in unchecked con-
troll of all the legislative and executive powers
of the Constitution they have been uuwearled
iu building up at Washington centralized
personal government on the ruin OF the States
and the people. With malicious ingenuity
thew have perverted the negatives upon the
mowers of the States contained in the recent
amendments to the Constitution into affirmative
grants of power to Congress to legslate orlgl-
nay upon all the subjects to which these mega
tives refer Should this Interpretation continue
to be sustained there will not be left to the
States vestge of political independence For
example: the amendments declare that all
born or naturalizcd in this country are citizens,
with &c ual rights and immunities as citizens;
and that 90 State shall deny to citizen the
right of suffrage, nor any OF these privileges
and immunities, nor impair their right to life,
liberty, and property, on account OF color or
previous condition of servitude; subject to this
condition, the State may regularly regulate by
its laws all these subjects as before. Thus sui.
frape must be ampdrtnl as regards color and
previous condition of servitude, but 1t need not
be unirersal unless the State shall so decide:
The whole field of legislation as to crimes and
puuishments, too, remains with the States as
Before subject only to the same conditions.
Similar inhbtions 90 the States existed be-
fore in the Constitution; for example, 10 the
power to pass laws impairing the obligation OF
contracts. Laws of this sort, when passed,
have. in cases arising under them, been de-
clarcd void by the courts and there an end.
No one has ever claimed this negative as a
grant of the power to Congress to lcglslate
originally, certainly not in the absence OF the
forbidden legislation by this State.
But, without pretence that the States OF the
South have in any instance denied or impaired
the right of the negroes to vote, Congress
passed law (approved by Grant May 81,
iS7O. entitled I" an act to enforce the right ct
citizens to vote and for other purposes, which
denounce severe penalties against all who IN
terfere with the rights OF those 10 eo $., me n.
riqh Of suffrage IS secured Gy tic Fifteenth
amendn,e,a to the Constiut'on," by, which
severe panaltes are denounced aod many
causes of action are given, over all OF which
erc7usiiye jurisdiction is vested in the Fedora!
courts; and an elaborate machinery Is provided
for the "conrcnient arrest and examination OF
offenders supported by indefinite power in the
President to employ at his pleasure the navy
and army of the United States; Where an an
election for Federal and State officers, is held
under the same registration, and at the same
time full power over the registration, counting,
canvassing, and returns of votes is given to the
Federal officials, and by an amendment, 10 such
elections in cities of over &c, 900 inhababltants'
unlimited control is given them over the whole
registration and election, the whole being under
military control of the President. And near
the close of the last session Of Congress there
was foisted into the judiciary bill lit could not
pass independently provision that in every
town and parish in district in which such an
election is held commissioners may be appoint