New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-06
STATE SOVEREIGNTY SURRENDERED.

STATE SOVEREIGNTY sURREHDERED.
In the e1igencies of the hour the Democ'
racy have been compelled to cast over
board the cherished rights Of the States.
It is of course very encouraging to this
perpetuity of nationality to see those who
have made the sovereignty of the Dutchy
of Delaware supreme over the laws Of
the whole American people. now accept
the whole principles contended for by the
Republican party and settled by the con-
stitutional amendments. The chief arti-
cles in the political capitulation Of the
State sovereignty party are these:
l. The demand that the judicial de-
partment shall construe the acts of the
legislative department
When We look back at the history Of
Southern Democracy we find that the ju-
dicial department was regarded with es-
pecial jealousy. The decisions of the
Supreme Court of the United States were
held to be subordinate to the resolutions
of State Legislature, while the same
legislative authority exercised kitself. OF
impaired to commissioners of election
the legal discretion necessary to deter
mine the election and returns of the
officers and representatives chosen
to administer the affairs of the
State. The reasoning upon which the de-
cisions of political questions was reserved
especially to the representatives of the
people may be found in the logical objec-
tons of Mr.. Calhoun to the Intervention
of the Federal judiciary in the affairs of
State. 1t is sufficient to repeat that he
argued that department as much an
emanation of popular opinion as Congress
itself. Experience has shown the correct
ness of these views. The judges of the
Supreme Court, nominated by Demo-
cratic President and confirmed by DEM
ocratic Senate, made the bred Scott deci-
sion in conformity with the opinions of
the Democratic popular majority.
The same tribunal. under the ap-
pointment and confirmation of
Republican President and Senate reversed
that decision in conformity with the opin-
ions of Republican majority. The doc
trine of Calhoun was perfectly legitimate
to the sovereignty which he claimed for
the State. The analogy of the argument
is found in the exclusion of the Supreme
Federal Court from the power to traverse
any political declaration of the Federal
The doctrine of Mr.. Calhoun has been
thus thrown overheard by his fol-
lowers, and to make the remuneration
more signal this has been done in the
very States which carried the doctrines of
the famous philosopher to their ultimate
We find State court,
whose authority We will not even dis
parage by commenting upon the character
Of its men, controlling the act of the
Legislature.
2. Federal intervention to determine the
egality of State election. However alb
ect the abdication of sovereignty which
caves to one department of its authority
o determine upon the legality of its adj
even this dereliction of |
principle is surpassed in the arrogant act |
# sending congressional committee to |
lecide upon the returns of State cleo
ion.
We may look back through the history
f Carolina, and imagine with what in
ignation the statesmen who once gov
rned her acts would have regarded such
n usurpation.
Both these fragrant indignities have been
oficted upon Southern States by their
tate rights Democratic friends and Repre-
sntatives. When these States stood for the
rinciples that Calhoun had expounded,
he Northern professors Of the same faith
bandoned their allies, and rushed to their
onquest. Tempted by the assurances
Tilden and his agents that the sover-
gnty of the States would be reinstated, the
outhern Democracy has again banded
self in struggle to regain control of
10 Federal government Even here the
eacherous Democracy of the North have
,serted their credulous allies. They not
lily claim that the State judiciary shall
'errule the sovereign authority of the
ate Legislature and executive. but they
nd committees of the Federal House Of
representatives. to examine into the quail
ations and returns of the sovereign
ate itself.
No matter how this election may result
will be decisive of the surrender of the
vereign States. What little remnant the
II may have left has been thrown over
ard by the political attorneys for these
vereigns, and by their New York under
tiers. The salvage Of the spoils is of
initely more consequence to both these
rtisans than the preservation of the prin-
lies upon which their pretended faith
S been founded. Henceforth the sover-
N States will occupy the same place be-
ath the table Of the sovereign people
1T the thumbless kings did who 'sgath-
ID their meat" under the table of Adoni-
EEK. That which makes this extinction
these sovereigns the more decisive is,
1t they have been seized. bound and