National Republican., 1878-08-26
THE DUTY OF THE FEDERAL POWER.

THE IoNEN.
There can be no doubt, when the organic
law of this nation is consulted, that it con-
templates and really vouchsafes to every
citizen in every State of this Union full pro-
lection in all the political rights that are
recognized by the Constitution. And there
can be 10 doubt, either, where the power
centres under which this protection should
be secured. 1t is in the Government of the
of the United States and not in the indi-
vidual States. Of late, whenever the Cen
eral Government has been appealed TO in
this behalf-wheneve it Ibis been called
upon to interpose the Fe ieral arm to pro-
tect the citizen of the South in the political
rights guaranteed to him-the answer has
been made, either directly or inierentially,
that it has no power to do this, but such
protection must be left TO the States This
is virtually conceding the right of State
sovereignty, and, Just in proportion rs that
concession is made, just SO far the Federal
power is weakened and crippled for its own
assertion.
Mr.. L. A. STORRs, of Chicago, man OF
eloquent thought and forcble uttemncc
and u sound lawyer, has addressed the peO-
pie at Springfield, ILL.,, on the vital question
of the rights OF citizenship and the duties
and powers of the General Government
and We think he has struck its keynote.
We reproduce portion Of that speech, fol
the reason that no truer words were evcl
uttered, and for the further purpose Of i'm
pressing upon the public mind the simpl,
fact that if this Union is to be preserved il
its national integrity the doctrines cnun'
ciated by Mr.. SToRRs must prevail as th'
sober sentiment of the people who form ant
give direction and character TO the Govern
mcnt of these United States lie said:
The Government of the United States has
in its fundamental law, from which | have al
ready read, guaranteed TO all persons born o.
naturalilud within the United States and sub
ject to its jurisdiction the privileges aud i'm
munitics of citizenship. 1t has contracted
with ca III citizen that no State shall depriy,
any Of its citizens Of "lilc liberty, or property
without due process of law" aud hns ais,
/ agreed with the citizen that no State shal
deny to him the equal protection Of its laws
, 1t has gone, Us We have seen, further thar
this. By its fundamental law 1t has entered
into u solemn compact with the citizen tha
MS flgllt 10 NOte hNUll HOl DC HDTlNPtu OF nc
nird on account of race, color, or previous con
dillon Of scrvitUde; and has further guaran
tced that the Congress shall have power. I,
enforce these provisions by appropriate lcgis
lation. Whenever, therefore, the citizen 0
any Smtc is deprived Of any of the privilege
aud mmuntics Of citizenship, to what sOurc,
shall he look for protectionr If, as n citizel
of the State of Illinois, am, by threats, in
timidation, or violence, deprived of the righ
of suffrage, | do not look to the state II
which live for protection ] do not ask Of |
that my right to vote shall he guaranteed, an'
that all Interference with It shall cease, for tn
, State has made no such compact with nc.
look, and look with propriety, to the Unite
States, because the United States has guaran
tccd to give me the fullest protection Of tina
: privilege. Not only has this guarantee beel
made in the general terms indicated in til
fundamental law but the Congress of til
United States, speaking Tor the United States
and On It's behalf, has entered into an S.igagc