Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-03-07

Digging the grave of Democracy-th
is what Democratic Congressman are
doing in Washington. In devotion to the
dogma Of State Rights, the Democratic
party, down to late date, maintained
consistent attitude. To sustain its
theory on that subject il adopted nullifica-
ton resolutions in South Carolina, forced
| the Fugitive Slave law through Congress,
repealed the Missouri Compromise, and
finally winked at actual secession. In
the name OF State sovereignty, the Demo
cratic party has done many evil things.
But suddenly, in obedience to partisan
exigency, the Democratic party changed
front, and sent its advocates before the
High Joint Commission instructed to de.
mand that the States should be Invested of
the most important, most fundamental,
most sacred function of their existence as
asi-independent political organisms.
The proposition of the Democratic party
to 90 behind the State returns of the
Electoral vote was another abandonment
of the most cherished, longest and
stubbornly maintained position. 1t was
a proposition that Congress should ar
rogate to itself supreme power in the
choice of President. A more monstrous
proposition was never before enunciated,
when 1t is considered that the preservation
of the autonomy of the States, in the matter
of the Presidency, Is carefully guarded in
every provision of the Constitution
bearing upon the subject. The wonder
is that an intelligent body of Senators
and Representatives Of the Democratic
party could have deemed it probable,
nay, possible, that a tribunal fairly con-
stituted would consent seriously to con-
slider proposition to demolish the last
vestige of State Rights at single blow,
by going behind the action of the State in
its choice of persons to fill the Electoral
College. They did, however, find seven
men so blinded by partisan prejudice as
to be willing to put themselves on record
in absolute reputation of the doctrine
their party has been unequivocally com
mitted to from its natal day down to the
present time. How will they defend their
action? Certainly not by citations from
the Constitution; certainly not by ref
erence to party history. Each is alike
condemnatory of their inexplicable course,
If the High Joint Commission does not
prove to be the grave of Democracy, then
it is quite impossible for the Democratic
party to commit political suicide. What
striking contrast is presented by the at
titude of the Republican party. Having
fought against the dogma of State Rights
as opposed to National sovereignty dur
ing the whole period of its existence as a
political organization, the Republican
party is forced at last to stand in the
breach contending against the threatened
destruction OF the States at the hands of
their pretended champions! 1t is a
curious spectacle-that presented by
Gov. Tilden seeking the Presidency
by the absolute overthrow of the
States when it is considered that in 1850
he declared that the States had power to
snap the tie of confederation as Nation
might break a treaty, and to repel coercion
as Nation might repel invasion" With
this danning record in full view the peo-
pie may well draw a long breath of relief
at their almost miraculous escape from
clutches of the Democratic party, for
sworn, debauched and groveling in the
mre of its monstrous inconsistencies 1t
is not strange that this party of shame is
rent into factions. 1t is not strange that
forty Democratic members of the House
of Representatives refuse to obey the party
lash, and seek safety in flight. But ii is
strange that Gov Tilden, through Lis
hired henchman, David Dudley Field, is
able still to drag what remains of the
Democratic party in the morass in which
his wretched tactics have plunged that
political organization. The country will
soon come to regard the late Democratic
campaign as nightmare horrible
dream of perjury, bribery and assassina-
ton, too frightiul for ief.-Inter- ocean.