The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1874-05-17

country were always watchful. lest tho
authority Of the general government might
DO 80 enlarged by unguardcd legislation
on The part Of Congress, as to overlap its
constitutional limits; when the greatest care
was taken, not a' now, to increase FEEDER.
al power, either by an ingenious evasion
or direct disregard Of the organic law. but
to confnc Federal power within The bounds
devised for it by tho founders and trainers
Of the government; when each State of the
Union, whether in the North or 10 the
South, was considered supreme as to the
regulation Of its own intrinsic affairs 10
conformity, Of course, to the Federal con.
stitution; in those times, we say, no man
ofuny section, or Of any political party,
would have dared 10 introduce into Con.
grcss bill so utterly regardless ofall State
government as this.
Great changes in the respective aud re-,
ciprocal relations between Congress and
the several States have been brought about
by the war and the aSurpatious Of the party
10 power since the war. But those changes
need not unless last the American people
are willing to retain them. We make no
reference to the amendments that have been
Incorporated into the Constitution, when wo
declare that the dangerous aud revolution.
ary changes Of which we speak have not
been authorized by the organic law, but in
absolute violation Gifts principles most vital
to the existence Of the republic. The Gle.
walton Of tho Colored man to the rights Of
citizenship has been made tho protozt for
this abominable bill now before Congress
again, which has neither the plea Of ncces.
Sity to palliatO the recklessness of the fan
atics who are attempting to force it forward
into law, nor the color Unconstitutional.
ty to shield them from the charge Of de-
liberate design to break down altogether the
barriers that stand between the States and
an arbitrary exercise Of unlimited power in
the Federal government. lfCOugreSs has
the right to enact such law as this il
would tax The ingenuity Of the most &C.
complishcd statesman to tell when or
where any limit to its authority may Je
found. And, after all, whatever may be
said Of the living issues Of the hour looking
aud leading directly to The material necos,
sites Of the times; whatever We may think
Of the imperative importance oflegislating
for public improvements, for financial pros.
perity, and for the fertilization oftrade, it il
cssc ntial for the maintenance eftbe liberties
Oftbo liberties Of the people aud the pres
crvatou Ofthe principles OIL free government
that we should keep jealous eye upon the
rights Of States, thatthey may be no farth
er trnmpled upon by a party which seems
to recognize its own will as paramount to
The organic law Of the Union. Just as the
boiler in the steamship, if forgotten and
neglected, eSplodos and destroys passcu.
gers, cargo, aud crew, so the constitution,
il disrcgardcd, will cease to perform its
functions as the great regulator and con.
troller Of the government, the source Of
its safety and its strength. and when VIC
least expect it, perhaps, the crash will
come. aud the Republic toppIo into
ruins During the war, and Immediately
after the war, it was not so alarming as it
is DOW to sec unwarranted power exercised
by the government. But with tho subsi-
dcnce Of the storm, with the passions Of the
people Gained down, with the martial law
remaoded within martial lines, there has
been 10 necessity, no occasion, no excuse
for such departures from the constitution as
have become too familiar 10 US. Itawakeus
serious doubt as to the probability Of re.
turn to an observance Of fundamental laws
which are The very pillars Of the temple Of
} liberty. 1t is to be hoped, however that
the American people will at the next nat.
ional election reafirm the faith Of
their fathers, and put in power q party to
defend and not to defy the constitution.
The passage Of this civil rights bill
would DO one Of tho boldest blows ever
, struck at the rights Of the States. II