The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-09-18
STATE RIGHTS.
The Doctrine Of the Eoumders oi
tho Republic, Established BY ths
COuStl tn ti lon.

1
The Doctrine Of the Founders Q
| COustltuti0m.
| Extract of the speech of Senate
Thurman delivered at Columbus, Sep
tember 9Th:
In the first Constitution of this Stat.
it was declared: That q frequent re
currence to the fundamental principle,
of civil government is absolutely nee.
essary to preserve the blessings OF
liberty And with equal truth it may
be declared, that a frequent recurrence
to the fundamental principles of our
system of government is necessary to
it's preservation and the preservation
of liberty. The purpose of the Radi-
cal leaders to overthrow the rights OF
States and the people, and to vest in
the General Government all the sub
stantial powers OF government, is
proved by act after act of Congress, by
numerous party platforms, by mul.
titude OF speeches almost daily. deliv-
cred, and by their denunciation of the
plainest doctrines upon which our
system is founded, and which in the
better days of the Republic were sell
dom if ever questioned by any public
man. Let Democrat use the term
State" and he is forthwith
denounced by the Radical leaders and
the Radical press as q nullifier or Sc
cessiOnist. Let him speak of the re-
served rights of the people under the
Federal Constitution, ana he is forth
with denounced as assaillng the just
powers of the Federal Governments:
Let Congress pass laws in plain viola
tion of the Constitution, and the man
who questions their authority is as
sailed as an enemy to the National
Government and Of the perpetuity Of
the Union. In q word, in every form
In which it can be manifested, those
who govern the Radical party have
shown their intention TO- reduce the
States to the mere category of coun-
ties. or townships, leaving them no
sovereign powers whatever, that may
not be overthrown at the will of ma
jority of Congress; thus effectually
destroying, what the founders Of our
Government considered it's greatest
merit, the right of local self-govern-
ment. OF course, these enemies Of
our system do not openly avow their
purpose. But whoever shall CAREFUL
ly scrutinize the laws they have en-
acted, the doctrines they hsve made,
the denunciations they have uttered,
can not fail to discover that purpose,
and to find that it aims at. nothing less
than practical destruction of the
of the States.
Now, my friends, let rs consider for
. moment what is our system of Gov
and then further consider
what would be the result of over.
local self-governmeut and
all powers in the hands
Of the General Government. We have
In this country two Governments
The Federal or National Government.
whichever term you prefer, deriving
Ill its power from the State Constitu.
ions. The nature of this system was
with admirable brevity by
Chief Justice Marshall delivering the
opinion of the Supreme
Court of the United States, In Nc
Colloch vs.. The State of Maryland, 4
Wheaton, 420. He said: "In Amer
ca the powers of sovereignty are di-
7ided betweed the Government of the
Union, and those of the States. They
ire each sovereign with respect to the
objects committed to 1T, but neither
with respect to the objects
to the other" In the same
opinion, page 4O5, speaking of the
General Government, he said:
"This Government is acknowledged
oy all to be one of enumerated pow
,rs. The principle that it can exer-
Use only the powers granted to it
would seem too apparent to have re-
luired to be enforced by all those ar
yuments which its enlightened friends,
while it was depending before the
people, found it necessary to urge.
The principle is now universally ad-
nitted. But the question respecting
he extent of the powers actually
granted, is perpetually arising, and
will probably continue to arise, as
ong as our system shall exist"
In Texas vs.. White, Z Wallace, 725,
ustiee Chase, in delivering the
opinion of the Supreme Court said :
But the perpetuity and indissolu-
aility of the Union by no. means i'm
,lies the loss of distinct and individu-
Il existence, or of the right of self
government by the States. Under
he articles of Confederation each
State retained it's sovereignty, free.
lom and independence, and every
power, Jurisdiction and right not ex-
,ressly delegated to the United States.
Under the Constitution, though the
powers of the States were much re-
still, all powers not delegat-
ID to the United States, nor prohibit.
ID to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people.
And we have already had occasion to
at this term, that tho people
If each State compose State, having
ito own Government, and endowed
With all the functions essential to
separate and independent existence,'
Ind that without the States in union,
here could be no such political body
ls the United States" Not only,
can there be no loss of sep
lrate and Independent autonomy to