The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-04-30
uNlNrlNIpArEn RALLors.


in every important sense, are justly
matters of political interest and concern
throughout the whole country.
Each State and every political party is
entitled to share Of the power which is
conferred by legal and constitutional suf-
frage. 1t is the right OF every citizen
possessing the qualifications prescribed by
law to cast one unintimidated ballot, and
to have his ballot honestly counted. So
long as the exercise OF this power and en-.
joyment OF this right are common and
equal, practically as well as formally, the
submission to this suffrage will be accord
ed loyalty and cheerfully, and the depart.
ments Of the government will feel the true
vigor OF the popular will thus expressed
NO DISCRIMINATION IN THE EXERCISE OF
-r ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
Two provisions OF the Constitution au.
thorize legislation by Congress for the
regulation Of Congressional elections.
Section OF article /, OF the Constitu-
ton, declares that the time, places and
manner OF holding elections for Senators
and Representatives shall be prescribed
in each State by the Legislature thereof
but Congress may at any time, by law,
make or alter such regulations, except as
to the places OF choosing Senators. The
Fifteenth amendment ofthe Constitution Il
as follows: .
SEC, i. The right Of citizens Of the
United States to vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any
State, on account OF race, color or previous
condition Of fseryitude.
SEC. 2. Congress shall have the powel
to enforce this article by appropriate legis
lation. l.ss
The Supreme Court has held that this
amendment invests citizens OF the United
States with new constitutional right
which is within the protecting power oi
Congress; that right the Court declares to
be exemption from discrimination in the
exercise OF the elective franchise on &C.
count OF race color or previous condition
Of seryitude. The power Of Congress 10
protect this right by appropriate ilegisla'
lion Is expressly affirmed by the Court as
national legislation to provide safeguards
for free and honest elections, is necessary
as experience has shown, not only to Sc
cure the right to vote to the entranchised
race at tho South, but also to prevent
fraudulent voting in large cities OF the
North. Congress has, therefore, exercised
the power conferred by the Constitution
and has enacted certain lawst to prevent
determination on account OF race, color OF
previous condition Of seryitude, and Il
punish fraud, violence and intimidation q
the Federal elections.
Attention is called to the following sec
tions Of the revised statutes Of the Unitet
States, viz. Section 2004, which guaran
tees all citizens the right'to vote withou
distinction on account OF race, color O.
previous condition Of servitudo; section
zoos and 20OG, which guarantee to all oiti
zens equal opportunity, without discrim
ination, to perform all acts required b.
law, as prerequisite or qualification 70
voting; Scott 2092, which authorizes tn
United States Marshal and his deputies i
keep the peace and preserve order OF Fed
eral elections; section 2024, which OK
,pressly authorizes the United States Mar
shal and his deputies to summon pos
comilahs whenever they, orany OF them
are forcibly resisted in the execution Z
their duties under the law, and are prt
vented from executing their duties b
such violation; section 5029, which prt
yides for the punishment Of the crime {
interfering with the supervisors Of elet
lion and deputy marsbslS In the dlsCharg
of their duties at elections ot Represent
lives In Congress. These are some Of th
; laws on this subject, which itisithe dut
Of tlle Executive Department 81 GoyerI
meHt TO enforce.
EEFEcF OF TUE SIXTH SECTION.
The intent and effect Of the sixth Sc
. tlot, Of this bill Is 70 prohibit all civil Of
, .CerS ot the United STATES, under Q penal