Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-07
Tho Infamous Virginia Law to
Override the National Authority
az to the Mails.

override the NatlOnal AutHoIity
as to the Mails.
The text of the infamous Virginia law
endorsed by Randolph Tucker OF that
State last winter in debate in Congress
with Mr.. Blaine, and recently, en-
dorsed and defended by Marcellus Emery
n the Bangor Commercial as good demo-
cratic doctrine is as follows:
"Section %. If free person write or
print, or cause to be written or printed,
any book OR OTHER THING. WITH INTENT
to advise or incite negroes in this State TO
rebel or make insurrection: or lNCCL-
eating RESISTANCE TO THE RIGHT OF
PROPERTY OF MASTERS in THEIR
SLAVES: or II he shall with intent TO
aid the purposes OF any such book or writ
ing. knowingly circulate the same, He
SHALL BE CONFINED IN THE PENi-
TEN rIARY NOT LESS THAN ONE NOR
MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.
"Section "a. Ii Postmaster or Depu-
tv Postmaster know that any such book or
other writing HAS BEEN RECEIVED AT HIS
OFFICE IN THE MAIL. HE SHALL GIVE
NOTICE THEREFOR TO SOME JUSTICE,
WHO SHALL INQUIRE INTO THE CIRCUM-
STANCES AND HAVE SUCH BOOK OR WRIT
ING BURNED IN HIS PRESENCE
Aud IF IT SHALL APPEAR hat the person
To WHOM 1T WAS DIRECTED, subscribed
therefor, knowing its character. or agreed
to receive it for circulation TO AID THE
PURPOSES OF THE ABOLI rIONlSTS,
THE JUS rICE SHALL COMMIT SUCH
PERSON TO JAIL.
If Postmaster or Deputy Postmaster
violate this section. lie SHALL BE FINED
not exceeding 5000
Mr.. Garfield in his speech at Bangor
handled this law and its supporters with
out gloves. We find a report in the Ban
gor Wing and Courier. This man,
Tucker he said thought it glory to be a
rebel. was elected because he was rebel,
and under the grip of the Great Common
er,-our Blaine as we'll as your Blaine
enthusiastic applause) he confessed his
Endorsement of the Virginia doctrine that
a Justice of the peace in State could in
wade the post-offices of the United States
and confscate the matter entrusted to the
National mail bags. When Mr.. Blaine
catechsed him he declared Il hold that
opinion vet" The General said he was
not especially surprised that rebel South
should hold such doctrine, but when an
editor in Maine indorses it, and actually
sets its advocate up as a "Statesman' su-
perior to Blaine, he thought wonders had
only begun.
Referring to fuckers letter claiming
that the merits of the case had been dis
guised by the odium resting on slavery,
Gen. Garfield said the question to-day was
not as to the merits of that law as affect
ing Virginia interests; but the issue made
bv Tucker was that the State of Virginia
is so supreme in its sovereignty that it can
issue orders to and punish officers of the
United States Government. 1t would be an
imbecile Government that would stand and
see its officers dragooned and punished
for performing the duties prescribed by
itself, and yet that is regarded as state
manship by one democrat up here in Ban
gor. Tucker says that Blaine and Wheel
er mistake the difference between "trans
mission" and 'receiving;" that the State
has authority over the receiving, and he
alludes to the Maine liquor law as in point
He omts, however, an important link,
and that is the delivery" The U. S.
Mails transmit, and the Postmasters are
bound to deliver the mail matter to whom
it is sent. Over the transmission and de-
livery neither Virginia nor any other State
has any more power than the King OF
Dahomey.
This doctrine shows the vital difference
in the creeds of the parties. The repub-
lican party hold this to be nation; Zap
plause) Tilden and his party talk of it as
"Federative Agency" The speaker ex-
posed the falacy Of this phrase and said
that ISSUE had been decided by the war
Ii we are to fight the battle over again to
establish that this republic is u Nation.
Mr.. Randolph Tucker may understand
when he raises the issue that the People
of the Union are ready. Enthusiastic
applause.)