New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-19
SENATOR MOTIONS SPEECH.

OF Senator Morton against a new election
! in Louisiana.
We do not pretend to claim exemption
. from the weakness Of party. We do no
say that we might not resort to the sam
specious sophistries as our antagonists,
we stood in need of them. But when
manly demonstration is made on prlncl
pie that our position is right. we mus
prefer to rest on its impregnable fortlflca
tons to lodging around in the sklrmlsi
line of political strategy.
The speech CT Mr.. Morton contains two
propositions only. The one is directed
against the constitutional authority o.
Congress to order the new State election
TIE other teaches the impolicy of such
an act, both in regard to Federal and
State governments.
This distinguished statesman explains
that the Federal government has only
power to intervene in the affairs ola State,
to enfore the Federal law. and, upon appll-
cation Of the State authorities to aid IN
suppressing domestic violence.
He argues nearly in the language OF
Judge Story. as quoted some weeks since
bv the REPUBLICAN, and on other authori-
ties contemporary with the contitution. to
explain why in that day o: hatred to
monarchy and hierarchy, no monarchl-
cal member should be admitted into the
federal family of States. At the same
date these grea. commonwealths. which
were SO chary of conceding any power to
the federal government. would never have
framed or acceded to a government which
could set aside their officers or laws on
the ground that they were not republican
in fact. Hence the word ''torm' was
chosen as securing those States against
federal intervention. as much dreaded
then as it is solicited by some parties now.
The consequences Of this intervention
a. the discretion Of the federal govern
ment are well intimated as liable TO occur
in presidential election. A President is
candidate for another term. He is
worth number OF electoral votes. which
can be secured by setting aside the re-
turns of some State. VIVA: more easy
than for . artisans to assert that the cleo
ten in such State was carried against the
President by fraud! Upon an order for
new election. the commander-in-chief
may encamp his army at the polls. while
the party and press interested in the re-
suit Of the reelection may vindicate the
intervention. The extraordinary attitude
of the States right ambassadors. who now
solicit the military invasion Of Louisiana
for the forlorn chance Of securing the
offices. prove tina: such apprehens'onS
are not without foundation.
The impolicy Of such an &C: of federal
intervention is well explained by Senator
Morton. in its effect to make that govern
ment aggressive and to place the States in
the relation Of helpless provinces Q! the
Union.
Having explained tha. the authority o:
q State would not perish though its ex-
.t,ltiye or legislature were withou: legal
authority. Senator Morton defines those
rights of the States which the federal gov
eminent is "bound to respect III such
loc.Iinal terms rs deserves quotation:
The theory OF our system is. tina. every /!
State government possesses the power and |
machinery TO correct the wrongs and frauds |
within itself, pyac.iceI under color of, or in !
of laws and that |
the decisions Of its owa tribunals. created /;
by It's constitution and laws for such puv. I,
pose must be received az final.
The great power 10 guarantee - each |
State a republican form of government Is
intended only for the highest and most sol.
tmn occasions. Ii il is invoked for everg
disorder in q State II mus: result IL the abb
socp.ion OF the state governments. and sub
vert III. whole theory and plan OF our
political institutions. While We are nation
in which alone the sovereignty resides. get
local self governments which preceded the |
constitution. and are recognized and con-
tinueI by it as part OF the great plan OF
political salvation. are Indispensable to our
liberty. progress and happiness. aud lnns:
he preserved.
Conares. has net :he jurisdiction to eS-
anime and re,.ress every great wrong that
may take place ia y State. Where. by the
and laws Of "a State legal RENE.
dies are provided for the redress OF all
wrong. that may take place III regard I"
elections. ii would be Inconsistent with the
independence and integrity OF the State
government. for the United States 80 inter.
ter. and assume jurisdiction upon the
ground that the State tribunals have acted
wvongfully or irauGul. ntly. or will so act.
This doctrine springs from the great TACT
tina. the States have vast body IF rights
distinctly guaranteed and recognized by
the constitution Of the United States. and
tina. among these is the right to constitute
their own Legislatures and determine by |
their own tribunals III. legality q: :.e!E o..
canizat!or.
This doctrine restricts the federal GOV.
eminent within its defined powers. and
e!evates: the States far above the mere
which the friends Of arae:
federal Intervention would eonc.dc.
Eu, that par: OF the speech devoted to
he :mroiicy. and. indeed. TO the inhu-
;nanity. 0: . new election is cv.gwae!m-
IN: in its force.
/. assinilates q new e!ct;oa 70 . decree
o: genera! assassination. /: recapitula..,
Ii. act, o: violence wL:ch are known III
Washing: 20 haze been committed in
Louisiana. since 1866. Mr.. Morton is
rnie: the belief ,ha. these acts have been
!y men calling themselves
Democrats. lie ne1. ,ecites the frauds
WHICH le believes 70 have been committed
by the same persons under a com.a:: Of
'Us.on viii, Governor Na.mo.h in 1872
Ehr terms '::Lis fusion, lie seems 70 have
bee" told. r.s manipulation o; the polls |
s.tA twenty thousand votes On the one