Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-05-07

ers follows.
ACTING WISELY FOR THE FUTURE.
Therefore, hope, without getting into
any controversy about the past, but acting
wisely for the future, we shall take away
the idea that the army can be used by gen.
eral or special deputy marshal, or by any
marshal, merely for election purposes, as q
posse, ordering them about the polls or or
dering them anywhere else, when there is
no election going on, to prevent disorders
or to suppress disturbances that should be
suppressed by the peace officers of the
State, or if they must bring others to their
and, they should summon the unorganized
citizens, and not summon the officers and
msn of the army as posse comitatus TO
quell disorders and thus get up a feeling
which will be disastrous to peace among the
people of the country"
OBJECT OF THE ACT.
In the House of Representatives the OBJ
ject of the act of 1878 was stated by the
gentleman who had it in charge in similar
terms He said - But these are all minor
points and Insignificant questions compared
wit. the great princil lie which was incorpo-
rated by the House in the bill in reference
TO the use of the army in time of peace.
"The Senate had already conceded what
they called, and what We might accept as
the principle, but they had stricken out the
penalty aud had stricken out the word ex-
pressly,' so that the army might be used in
all cases where implied authority might be
inferred.
| 80 The House committee planted them
selves firmly upon the doctrine that, rather
which for three wears this House had strug-
gled, they would allow the bill to fail-not-
wiihstanding the reforms which We had Sc
cured-regarding these reforms as of but
little consequence alongside the great prin
ciple that the army of the United States il
time of peace should be under the control
of Congress and obedient o its laws.
"After a long and protrac:ed negotiation
| the Senate committee have conceded that
principle in all its length and breadth, in
Guiding the penalty which the Senate had
stricken out.
50 We bring you back, therefore, report
with the alteration of a single word, which
the lawyers assure me is proper to be made,
restoring to this bill the principle for which
we haze contended so long and which is so
vital TO secure the rights and liberties OF
the people.
Thus have We this day secured TO the
people Of this country the same great pre-
lection against standing army which cost
a struggle of two hundred years for the
Commons of England to secure for the
British people"
/ no MILITARY INTERFERENCE WITH FLFcrioSs.
From this brief review of the subject il
sufficiently appears that under existing laws
] there can be no military interference with
I the elections. No case of such interfer-
, act last referred TO. No soldier of the
| United States has appeared under orders at
any place of election in any State. Nocom-
plant, even, of the presence of United
: States troops has been made in any quarter.
f, NO NECESSITY FOR THE BILL.
II may, therefore, be confidently stated
section of the bill before me, to prevent
military interference with elections. The
/ laws already IN force are all that is required
! for that end. But that part of section 6 of
this bill which is significant and vitally im-
portant is the clause which, if adopted, will
deprive the civil authorities of the United
States of all power to keep peace at the
Congressional elections. The Congression-
al elections in every district, in every im-
portant sense, are justly matter of Politi-
cal interest and concern throughout the
whole country. Each State, every political
party, is entitled to its share of power
which is conferred by the legal and consti-
tutional suffrage.
THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
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
the enjoyment of this right are common and
equal, practically as well as formally, sub
mission to results of the suffrage will be
accorded Loyalty and cheerfrlly and all the
departments of government will feel the
true visor of the popular will thus ex-
pressed.
PROVISIONS OF The CONSTITUTION.
Two provisions of the Constitution au-
thorize legislation by Congress for the reg
ulation of the Congressional elections.
Section of article l of the Constitution
declares 90 The times, places and manner
OF holding elections for Senators and Rep
resentatives shall be prescribed in each
State by the Legislature thereof; but the
Congress may at any time, By law. make or
alter such regulations, except as to tie
places of choosing Senators"
The fifteenth amendment of the Consti-
tuition is as follows:
"SEcTIoS l. 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 servitude.
"SEc. .. The Congress shall lave power
10 enforce this article by appropriate legis
'-'ion."
The Supreme Court has held that this
amendm.. 1T invests the citizens Of the United
States with new Cons. ..iturional right which
is within the protecting power OF VoHgress
That right the court declares to be exemp-
ton from discrimination in the exercise of
the elective franchise on account of race,
color or previous condition of servitude.
The power of Congress to protect this right
by appropriate legislation is expressly af-
firmed BY the court.
SAFEGUARDS TO THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
National legislation to provide safeguards
for free and honest elections is necessary,
as experience has shown, not only to secure
the right to vote to the enfranchised race at
i.