Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-02-19
CONSOLATION FOR THE DEMOC-
RACY.

It is matter of surprise that intelli-
gent Democrats should denounce the de-
cision Of the Electoral Commission not |
''to 90 behind the returns and go into
frenzy over the partizanship of the
members of the Supreme Court who sus- |
tanned it. If the Democrats referred to
will but bring little calmness to the
consideration of this subject, and recall,
one by one, the principles for which |
they have battled, they will be aston
ished that they did not sooner recognize
that the decision in the Florida case was
q victory for time-honored Democratic
principle. Upon the preliminary issue,
the decision not "to 60 behind the re-
turns" as it is called. sustains the view
of the question held by the Democratic
leaders for more than half a century,
and supports the Interpretation of the
rights of the States as hitherto held by
the Democracy. Further than that, it
is a crushing blow at doctrine which
for twelve years, at least, Democrats
have charged Republicans with holding
and attempting to apply to the govern
ment of the country. A few years ago
every Democratic stump speaker portray
ed the centralizing tendencies of the Re-
publican leaders, and depicted in vivid
colors the dangers which threatened the
existence of the State and free institu-
tions if the control of the Government
was not conferred upon the Democracy,
the champions of the rights OF the States
and the foes of Capitalization. Demo-
cratic papers were running over with
the evidences Of the purpose of Republi-
can administrations to destroy the sover-
eighty of the States and appeals to the
people to be on their guard to resist
Federal encroachments. 1t was on this
ground that the Democratic party op-
posed the reconstruction policy. 1t is
because of their belief in the right Of
the State to control its own local affairs
that Democrats have denounced the use
9fo Federal troops to secure peaceful cleo
deed, they have carried this doctrine s
far that many of their oracles have Civ
en- the public the impression that it
. far better to let factions in State en-
gage i'll civil war, and the stronger pal
: ty rob, shoot and murder the weaker t
n any extent, rather than that the Feders
e Government should interpose its arm
C afford protection. Capitalization ha
C been a term by which the honest Demt
n Gratis who could not fully comprehen
s. its meaning have been inundated fl
= many years. Many others, however, wi
s. did understand its meaning, were sill
n cere in their fears lest the rights of Il
States and their relations to the FEEDER
Government should be lost sight of in
Z centralized Federal Government, mat
d, strong by encroachments upon the pr
~ negatives and powers of the States al
A0 the gradual absorption of their SOverei!
'e functions. A squad of Federal soldie
70 appearing in State any time since t
war has been quite sufficient to throw
!, strong minded Democrat into polite
n perspiration.
MS The decision of the Electoral Comm
e, sion ought to reassure the DemOcra
rs Its high character, its learning and
=, 10 Republican tendencies combined, shou
w completely convince those who have be
tn alarmed at the fear OF Capitalization I'll
its all cause of apprehension is remov,
'e' The Democratic doctrine has triumph,
u Congress or any Federal power has
ur right to interfere in the management
1e- State elections.-BoSton Journal.