Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-22
that President Lincoln issued his call for troops
L fa aava -ff4 TTufas1 ~, 1891 sss@sra~-s# -

that President Lincoln issued his call for troops
to save the Union In 1861
On various other occasions of less signif- |
canee under probably every administration, |
and certainly under the present, this powerilas |
been usefully exerted to enforce the lawswith-
out objection by any party in the country, and
almost without attracting public attention
The great elementary constitutional principle
which was the foundation of the original stat
ute of 1792, and which has been its essence in
the various forms it has assumed since its first
adoption, is that the United States possess
under the constitution in full measure
the power of self protection by its own
agencies, although Independent of State au
| thority and If need be against the hostility of
| the State governments. IL should remain en-
| bodied in our statutes unimpaired as it has
| been from the origin of the government 1t
should be regarded as hardly less valuable or
| less sacred than the provisions of the constitu-
ton itself. There are many other important
statutes containing provisions that are liable
| to be suspended or annulled at times and
places of holding elections if the bill before
| me should become law. In regard to them
| all it may be safely said the meaning and eff
feet of this bill is to take from the general
government an important part of its power to
enforce the laws. fA - p -@9 E"s
Another grave objection to the bill is its dis
elimination in favor of the State and against
the national authority The presence or en-
ployment of the army or navy of the United
States is lawful under the terms of this BILL at
the place where an election is being held in a
State, to uphold the authority of the State
| government, then and there in need Of such
military intervention, but unlawful to uphold
the authority of the government of the United
States, then and there in need of such miltal Y
Intervention. Under this bill the presence 81
the army and navy of the United States would
! be lawful and might be necessary to maintain
! the conduct of the State election against the
domestic violence that would overthrow it,
but would be unlawful to maintain thu
, conduct of national elections against the SAINT
! local violence that would overthrow 1t
, This discrimination has never been attempt
ed in any previous legislation by Congress
and is no more compatible with sound princi
: pie of the constitution or necessary maxime
: and methods OF our system of government or
: occasion of elections than at other times. In
: the early legislation of 1892 and of 1875, BY
y which the militia of the States was the only
y military power resorted to for the execution
!, of constitutional powers in support of State o.
national authority, both functions of the gov
y eminent were put on the same footing by thu
: act of 1907. The employment of the army anl
= navy was authorized for the performance o
y both constitutional duties on the same terms
In all later statutes on the same subject matte
y the same measure of authority to the govern
= ment has been accepted for the Performance
- of both these duties. No precedent has beel
. found in any previous legislature and M
, suInclenG reason mas Deen gwen lOr the Oils
= elimination in favor of the States and agains
J. the national authority, which the bill contains
y Under the sweeping terms of the bill the ne
l. tional government is effectually shut out fror
!, the exercise of the right, and from the di.
!, charge of an imperative duty t
!. use its whole executive power where
v ever and whenever required for tn
~ enforcement of United States laws in place
u and on times where and when its elections az
~ held, the employment of its organized force
" for any such purpose would be an Offens
y against the law, unless called for by, and ther,
= fore upon permission Of the authorities of tn
~ State in which the occasion arises What
- this but the substitution of the discretionar
.. government of the United States, as to the pc
e Torrance of its own duties In my judgmeI
= this is an abandonment of its oil
y legations by the national government,
:, subordination of national authority, and a
~ extension of State supervision over nation;
IL IL duties which amounts in spirit and tendenc
VI to State supremacy. Although believe the e,
VI listing statutes are abnndantly adequate I
lc completely prevent military interference wit
W. the elections in the sense in which the phras
|. is used in the title OF this BILL and is employe
III by the pepole Of this country, shall find n
y difficulty in concurring in any additional lie.
-. islation limited to that object which does NJ
NC interfere with the Indispensable exercise
~ the powers of the government and the const
ce tuition and laws.
rs (Signed) RUTHERFORD B. HAYES,
.s Executive ansio n, May IL, 1879.