Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-12
From the New York Tribune.
A Democratic Triumph After All.

There is a wrong impression abroad
regarding the effect OF the decision oil the
Electoral Commission not to go behind
the returns in the Florida case. 1t seems
to be Republican triumph and Demo-
cratic defeat upon this preliminary issue.
This il altogether a mistake. The decis-
ion actually sustains the Democratic view
of the question and supports the Demo-
cratic Interpretation OF the rights of the
States. Moreover, it administers a crus h.
ing blow toa doctrine which Democrats
have habitually charged Republicans with
maintaining. We have not heard so
much about it of late, to be sure, for the
Democratic mind has been occupied with
Reform to the exclusion of everything
else; but a few years ago every Demo-
cratic newspaper and stump speaker in
the country was full to running over with
the dangers to free institutions growing
out OF the increasing tendencies to central
ization. A great many honest Democrats
were inundated by the word without
knowledge precisely what it meant, and
many others who understood it were sim
cere in their fears lest the rights of the
States and their relations to the General
Government should be lost sight OF in
centralized Federal Government, made
strong by encroachments upon the pre-
negatives and powers of the States and the
gradual absorption and assumption OF
their sovereign functions. This decision
ought 10 reassure them on that point.
In no detail OF the complicated machin-
cry of our Government had the Fathers
been so particular TO separate the Federal
of the election of President. In all that
bears upon the question in the organic
act and in the debates upon its adoption,
there is manifest the same careful regard
for the rights Of both, and definite pur-
pose to assign fixed limits to each, and
provide at the same time for their harmo-
NOUS operation. Nothing can be clearer.
as has been repeatedly shown, than the in
tent of the Constitution to make the State
Government the unit of political action
in the final process which is the essence OF
the transaction of the Presidential election.
The Federal Government never in any
contingency recognizes the individual
voter as factor. 1t assigns to each
State, upon fixed rules, its numerical
weight and influence in the number Of its
electors, and upon the reasonable theory
that each self-governing community or
gained as State is competent to provide
for the legal and honest expression of its
own choice, it has reserved no power of
revisian or inquiry as to the steps or
processes of reaching that expression.
The Federal Government says to the State
of New York, "You are entitled to cast
''seventy votes for President and Vice.
president for whom do you cast them?"
The State decides as to its choice and
hands over the result, and the FEEDER al
Government has not reserved to itself any
right to question further. Nothing could
be more definitely determined than the
boundaries of the powers of each in the
matter, and nothing could more clearly
illustrate the harmonious operation OF
sovereign States within Federal Union.
To Ego behind the returns" as the
phrase is, and inquire into the technical
tiles Of the process and raise questions as
to the formalities or the methods by which
each State had reached the conclusion en-
bodied in its official certificate of the re-
suit. would be very obviously a complete
subversion Of this principle in the Consttu
ton and more deadly blow at the rights
of the States than has ever been dreamed
of by the most extreme advocates of CEN
tralized power and strong Government.
After such an invasion of State rights. Fed
eral interference upon almost any pretext
would be an easy matter. The precedent
had 1t been established, would have been
revolutionary and dangerous in the ex-
treme. The defeat, then, of this PROPOSE
ton to invade the province and usurp the
functions OF the State Governments is in
effect the recognition of what has been
considered fundame ntal doctrine OF
Democracy. 1t maintains the established
equilibrium of rights and powers. and
discourages what the Democratic party
has SO anxiously regarded as prevailing
tendency to Capitalization. In this view
of it, we cannot forbear offering our con-
gratulations to the statesmen of that party
upon decision which sustains their own
position with such emphasis, and which
must relieve them in great degree of
their patriotic anxieties and fears. The
Electoral Commission is very high, if
not the highest tribunal. and its interpre-
talon Of the rights and relations of the
States must be held as conclusive and
final. 1t is actually a great Democratic
triumph. 1t is not quite clear of course
that this disposition of the question i'm
proves Mr.. Tilden's prospects; indeed it
wnnld soan, undar tho circumstances IN