The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-07-17

the Federal Constitution and of devo-
ton to laws .ubversive and viol,tiye of
this organic law of union. Nowhere
does the Constitution advert TO this
newly born idea of "uationsl suprem-
Soy" and 5 ate subordinstion. The
Constitution and laws made in &C.
c1rdsnce with its behests are
supreme. but there is 10 "ss-
I onsl supremacy" Federal powers are
sccur, t .ly and clearly and carefully
limited, and there is no assertion OF
ate Inferi rity or OF Federal suprem-
scy except as r!gidly fixed by the Con-
st,ju,iOn itself. Asserting the nuliifi-
cation of State rights and enacting
laws Unauthorized 10y the c institution
aud absorbing al Washington the rights
aud powers which States never dreamed
Of surrendering to the government they
created, these Republicans are nulIifiers
aud info ly more to be dreaded than
s-cessionisis who confess practical if
not theoretical wisdom. But this leg
end, INA ional supremacy, constitutes
The central idea and foremost assertion
Of purpose in each Republican plat
orm of TO day, and lis concession by
the people Is designed to be the first
distinct movement contemplating the
conversion of the republic into. the
empire. The people should never for
get that within It's narrow prescribed
md Distinctly d. fined sphere the
Uoion is supreme, even as are the
states ID all things beyond the scope
of constitutional provisions that
limit the powers of the Union.
senator NJ >rton was one of the pro-
foundest thiu kers of this ''national
supremacy" party. He said in 1876:
So far as the Congressional election
is concerned, We haYe agreed in the
CUnstitu ion to leave the question as
who may vote for q member of Con-
gress to the States, by providing that
every person who may vote for men,
bers of the most numerous branch of
The Stats Legislature may VI t for
Representative In Congress. We hsye
no power over that. The fifteenth
amendment, however, guarantees that
the colored man shall have the full
right that anybody else has; that is,
he shall not be prevented from voting
Af &c Go far
as the election of President is con-
cerned, that is matter that belongs
absolutely t. the States. They may
choose the electors by the L legislature,
they may authorize the Supreme Court
to appoint them, or they may provide
for their being elected 10y the people
They may provide for different class
of voters for Presidential electors fr m
those who are entitled to vote for
members of Congress. As-the Consti-
tuition stands now, the States can pro-
vide Just as they please in that regard.
The State of Iowa tomorrow, by her
Legislature, Notwithstanding the law
she has upon her statute book fer
electing her electors by the people,
may, in defiance of that law, choose
the electors who shall vote tor Presl
deI and Vice President. There Is no
power under the Constitution t. pre-
vent it. So think thai, so far as that
is concerned, 1t does not meet the
point.
The Constitution is supreme, anu
thus exhibits national supremacy. The
great State of New York in recogni-
ton of the fact prefaces its Constitu-
tion with the modest reference to the
Stree, sovereign and independent State
of New York