Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-08-15

ed by Col. French, In Maryland, by
ordering him to turn over his troops
to tho officer next in command. Gen.
Hancock knew that the authority Of
the State had not been superseded by
that of the Federal Government, but
that the latter was present only to
aid and countenance the former in its
own legitimate work.
~
the countryside New York 7imes-a
set argument is made for the supren-
acy OF Federal authority in suppress
ing domestic disorder. While Il sd
mits that time will beneeded to correct
by legislation the abuses inseperable
from the influence Of corporations over
the Legislatures of States, il insists
that there shall be "no delay in the
adoption of measures required to inn
part TO the Federal Government suflic-
lent physical force for the maintenance
of domestic order in any conceivable
emergency. Only strong govern
ment can grapple promptly with the
varied forms of danger that are now
strewn thickly over one-third Of tho
Union" II was Jefferson's favorite
doctrine that a republican government
is strongest when il reposes on the d.
rect support OF the people themselves.
Tho opposite doctrine is the one de-
rived from the Old World, that gov
ernment is an organized power distinct
from and aside from the people. Hap
PLY il has never yet gained footing
on American soil, though pcrsistently
advocated since tho Constitution be-
came subject to two interpretations.
After the recent war it was believed
by many that strong central gov
ernment, whose strength should con-
sist in its absorption of the powers Of
the States, would be necessary to pre-
serve, protect and defend the Union
which had been put in such jeopardy /;
but twelve years of experimenting in
that line on the Southern States were
an excellent schooling and clarifcation
of the public mind on the subject, and
now this recent widespread trouble
springs up to impress the sound and
safe doctrine of local selfgovernment
in an entirely new way.
1t teaches us as distinctly rs any
thing can that It is Of tho first necessi-
ty to perfect and strengthen our ma
chinery of selfprotection IN every
town, city and county; that we keep
the weapons Of defence in our own
hands, that can employ with the most
discretion and effect that it is local
forces, and not Federal, that are needed
to preserve the peace and suppress dis
order; and that no possible danger that
can befall us from holding this view is
equal to what may at any time threat
en- from power which is beyond our
instant control. More than all, the
sense of responsibility that gives weight
and worth to citizenship is fully re-
tanned by the doctrine Of local selfpro-
lection. Take that away, and teach
the people to lean on power outside
of themselves for support and one Of
the most vital elements Of citizenship
is gone. The Times rests its reasons
on the theory that connecting lines Of
railway which traverse several States
practically give the railroad system
National character, to be protected by
Federal force. II might with equal
reason push on to tho conclusion that
the General Government has right to
seize these roads as soon as they be-
come "National" and operate them in
its own interest. We hold that they
who advocate strong government, that
shall rest on military force, haveyet the
alphabet of genuine republicanism to
learn they are by instinct distrustful
of the people and eager to see them
governed, II not indeed to govern
them themselves. No event in our day
has more conclusively demonstrated
the necessity of local selfgovernment,
with the military element included,
than these riots which have been sup
pressed by local authority.-Boston
Post.