The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-09-16
The Massachusetts Trumpet.

nc tho BOSTON A6eeriiscr upon the na'H'e
Of the issue brought up between the peopie
of Massachusetts and the Federal "o'.ih
mcnt. Since that article was prepared We
have tho t5rcy,iso, OF a later date. IN when
/, eocs further aud plainly asserts thai h'S'"'
.husct,s demands the removal OF the feue-
raj officials who have recently abuse" l'lei'
offices and outraged that state b1 interfering
IN hcr local elections. The Adrert'ser thus
nrrludcs lis announcement that naSsachu'
sets must demand the dncnde honordofe lot
the Insult; offered her. 1t reads iik" an IN
di,napt recital of wiongs in another dccIara-
ton of independence:
For the first time in the history OF the
State the Government at Washington has
seen fit to interfere il local politics by coil'i-
lcnanciug a combination OF Federal once
holder, organized for the purpose OF con-
trolling local nominations. Such n proceed
ing j. inaGmissihc and altogether ln'olel'i-
die. Il Is true that a man who accepts ONCE
under the United States is not on that &C
count DISTINGUISHED. but he is under most
distinct Obligation not TO use any power
which his position may happen to place
in his hands toward influencing votes;
far less has he right to enter into
combinations with his colleagues Ill Office
with view to manipulating caucuses and
ward meetings. Any official acting in such
A wav commits Il fragrant breach OF duty and
should be promptly dismissed. The reason
for establishing and maintaining such a rule
Of conduct for he civil officers OF the Govern
ment is clear and convincing. The amount
of patronage at the disposal ofthc AdminlStfa-
ton at Washington is necessarily enormous
and Of necessity, also, it Is spread ike q net
work over the entire country. AS soon as 4
party comes into power the temptation be-
comes almost irresistible TO strengthen us
position By distributing offices amongst IT'S
friends thus Gisciplncd body OF framed
politicians is gradually formed, held together
by the strongest Of all possible tles-scll-
interest. The next step follows naturally
enough: Some friend OF the Administration
wants to get control Of State; mere Is All
organization ready to Ills hand; what 50 easy
As to use ii to carry primary meetings! ne
State once secured and the local patronage III
the disposal Of the coEqu@rnr, nothlnS more
remains to he done. The ram!hcal!onS OF
corruption will spread rapidly TO city ana
county rings, and there lies the people hope,
lcsslv bound by vast chain at the mercy OF
central government which has forged H.
The Adrcrtiscr then rcnmrking that the
resolutions at Worcester, though good, are
but words, Gecarc- that more il necessary
there must be "acts.' 1t says:
"a right ha, been violated and a great
wrong has been done. The people have cX-
pressed their Indignation, and have checked
| the attempt to ensDarc them, FOR the moment,
but it is not in their power collectively 10
| take measures for their future protection.
The representatives Of the people must pre-
| sent 1T Washington the great principe OF
Federal nou-intcricrencc with local affairs
| boldly and markedly, and rigid!y insist on lis
recognition. Tic discharge of offending
officials must follow, as matter Of course"
This brings The matter to an issue indeed.
The demand is 3 brave one. VIII 1t De con-
ccdcd! If not, what will Massachusetts do :
She has powcr, and there is good reason why
the President should respect her demand.
Were Virginia TO make such Il demand we
scarcely know what language Of contempt
would not be applied to her; and yet II she
is not respected. how long can any Stale eN-
pect to tie? Massachusetts, indeed, is diller'
emily situated, and sliat changes the case al
together at Washington.
What is to come of this hishly-spirited
conduct of Massachusetts in defence OF
State.rights" we know not, but she GER
tanly deserves the c0untcnancc anu sup
port of ali the States Without their CO.
operation through the popular decisions at
the polls she can do nothing. The States
are helpless without union. 1t will be
through their want Of harmony alone that
the scntral Government will become arbi-
trary and republican liberty be lost. United,
they will be ever iuVincible. 1t Is time they
were once more united. Their rights and
liberties are in peril.