Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-01-08
BLALNES BOOMERANG. ]
SPEECH OF HON. WILLIAM A. WAL.
LACE IN THE UNITED STATES
SENATE. r.f .0

/
SENATE. .....
THE DEMAGoGUE FROM MAINE COMPLETE
LY USED UP BY THE DEMOCRATIC
SENATOR FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
The following is the full text of th,
speech delivered by Senator Wallace in
reply to the recent harangue OF Sona
tor Blaine on the subject Of the alleged
outNges at elections in the Southern
States: laaa..
Mr.. Wallace. Mr.. President, my
views upon this resolution are well un
derstood upon this side of the chamber
and the motion made yesterday to
lay the whole subject upon the tabl,
was prompted by those opinions. The
country is sick of political agitation
and sectional turmoil. This resolution
initiates a renewal Of the bitterness o.
party and partisan investigation that
has cursed the country for years
Every business interest in the State
represent prays for rest from politica
agitation and for time to recuperate its
wasted energy. This cannot be while
the country is aroused and shaken uI
by Investigations based upon rumoi
and party rancor is stirred to its depths
in every section. / would, If l could
have arrayed every one on this cham.
Der in decided and open antagonism "a
this reopening of the hoodgates Of par
ty strife. But by nearly unanimou,
vote the Senate has decided otherwise
and all that is left for us to do is tc
proceed with the investigation in ar
honest spirit Of seeking for truth. Nc
practical result can come from this In
quiry. The constitution and laws ai
declared by the Supreme Court settle
that. The section Of the fourteenth
article OF amendments to the constitu
tion is iia.l Z i1..s.,s ,..i-1t !. IA
Representatives shall be appportioaed am onl
| the several States according 70 their respective
numbers, containing the whole number Of personi
In each State, excluding Indians not taxed. Blu
when the right 20 vote at any election for th'
| choice Of electors for President and Vice Presi
| dent Of the United States, Representatives Il
Congress, the executive and judicial ofhcers Of !
State, or the members Of the Legislature thereof
Is denied TO any Of the male inhabitants Of sucl
State, being twenty one years Of age, and ctireni
Of the United States, OF In any way abridged, ex
cspt for participation in rebellion, OF other crime
the basis OF representation therein shall be reduo
cd In the proportion which the number Of sucl
male eitisens shall bear to the whole number o
male citizens twenty ore years Of age IN sucl
State.
| In the case Of the United States VS.
Cruikshank, 2 Otto 642, and kindred
cases the Supreme Court, commenting
on this article and constituting it, says
tn Fourteenth amendment prohibiting Stat
from depriving any person Of life, liberty or prop
er,y without duo process Of law, and from deny
ing TO any person within its jurisdiction the equa
pro lection Of the laws but Il adds nothing !
the rights Of one citizen as against another. i
simply furnishes an additional guarantee agains
any eneroachment by the States upon the funda
mental rights which belong 10 every citirsn as !
member Of society. Tho duty Of protesting 81
its citizens In the enjoyment OF an equality o
rights was originally assumed by the States, an
II still remains there The only obligation rest
ing upon the United States Is to see that tb
States DO not deny the right This the amend
ment guarantees, but no more. The power Of th
national government Is limited to the enforce
ment Of this guarantee.
This is the decision OF court unani
nous with single exception, and b,
a Democrat. Ii this be the law, how
can we take representation IRON (
State for what is done by individuals
The investigation, even II the facts b,
proved, is useless The remedy is BY
u contest for the seat, and not by sec
tional agitation. The purposes Of thu
resolution, stated by It's author, are u
record frauds and outrages on recen
elections in the Southern States and u
find a method 10 prevent them. Th'
newspaper press Is gwen as the author
Iity for their existence. The laws pro
vided remedy for the wrongs alleged
IL they exist, by o contest for the sea-
held through such processes, and thai
peaceful mode Of adjustment is, | DO
lieve, In the Judgment Of the country
infinitely better than sweeping alIega
tions based upon newspaper rumori
and passionate appeals which must EN-
bitter the sections. Peace and law or.
the methods now 10 be sought. Pas
sion and partisanship have ceased u
inAame the minds Of business men
Business and its cares, the restoration
Of q market for our products and th'
means for material growth and deyel