The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-09-06
Taft's EpistIe TO the MarshaIs.

1t 8 too late now for sDy doubt to be
thrown upon the existence of a strong and
vital connection, an umbilicai cord whose
premature severance would be fatal to both
parties, between the administration OF
Grant and the body of men who seek to
mask their old-time Repu blicapism under
specious and hypocrilical cloak OF pre-
tended reform, and shout for the white
souled and complaissnt Hayes. No
convention of the party has dared
to omit a fulsome Endorsement of
OF the Democratic and Indepsn.
dent press have been powsrless to extort
from Hayes one word of condemnation
Of Grant or reputation OF Grsntism. All
this self-denying devotion on the part Of
Hayes is to be rewarded by the full infiu-
ence OF the administration in favor OF his
election. This was apparent weeks ago,
upon the pr mitigation of Csmeron's
bloody shirt pronuncismeuto, and the
issue yesterday, of Judge Tsit's letter OF
instruction to U. 8. Marshsls for their guild
ance In the election, only serves to confirm
the impression that the whole strength and
influence of the federal machine is to be
used in forwarding the election of Hsye-.
For the letter itself, it is enough to say
that 1t is in harmony with the policy
heretofore pursued by Republican admin
istratiOns regarding the elections in the
South-for o course it is only to the South
ern states that the rules here laid down
can be regarded as In sense any Supplying.
Oie part of the circular, however, mer-
it's especial notice. This is the
view 1t takes of the comparative
relations of the states and the general
government. The complete su bordinstion
OF the former to the latter is insisted upon
States marshsls ara instructed that for the
purposes contemplated ia the circular,
their power is practically absolute in their
respective districts. Upon the occurrence
of an emergency requiring the summon
ing of 6 posse comita,us-snd the exist
epce OF such an emergency sesms a matter
to be determined by the marshal
he is instructed that all persons
within reach, soldiers, civilians.
militia. state or local bodies, are
alike subject to his sole command, and
bound to respond to his requisition. To
cover al, possible cases aud make he
subordinstion of the local authorities |
most complete, the marshal is explicitly |
instructed to disregard and refuse to |
be guided by any suggestions or wishes OF
local or ststs officers. These instructions, |
carried out to their Legitimate conclusion,
would involve a completeness of centrali- |
cation and subordination of local to na-
tional authority which Is rather startling. |
even in these post be lum days. 1t
must besaid for this letter of instructions |
that It Is to be taken very largely In |
q Pickwickiau sense. OF course, It Is |
wholly so In the NORTH, and the time is |
near at baud, even Ia the >outhern ates, |
when elections will mean free expression |
of the peoples will, and msrsbsls, sttor- |
ney generals and bsyopets will become an |
Ineffective fac or in the elective system. |
Most of the Southern states have already |
passed beyond the bsyonet stage, and the |
rest will escape 1t in one or two more |
elections.