The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-04-26
OH DEAR, NO.

The FREE TRADER is not averse 70 holding
q controversy with its esteemed contemporary
csf the Ottawa RcpNJiicon, if the latter Will con
duct it in Il sensible, rational way Two week
ago The RcpWblicaR said;
''Thc position of the Democratic party i
that no matter how much repeating and bal
lotboX stutling, or intimidation and BULLDOG
ing in the elections Tor members OF congress
and presidential electors the national govern
mcnt is helpless and must take the results a,
declared by the state election officers as final
The FREE TRADER denied such to be the
democratic position, but said that was exactly
the republican position during the electoral
controversy two years ago. Very we'll re
plied our esteemed cotcmporary in substance
III the position Of the democrats and rcpubi
cans is the same why change the law sc
Now that did not rise to the dignity of false
hood in msstatlng anything the FREE TEA
DER had sad, for it was quoted as saying the
opposite ii was simply bit Of idiotic OF
childish Standardization which the FREE
TRADER Of course could no; seriously com.
mcnt upon with sclf.rcspcct But our esteem
cd cotempormy takes it unkindly, accusing
tho FREE TRADER of contemplating him from
q dizzy height" &c; nevertheless, if he has
stated the democratic position unfairly he is
willing to be informed what that position is,
fairly and truly" If orr esteemed cotempo.
riHy haG paid due attention 10 what the FREE
TRADER said in the article commented upon,
he would need no information now on that
II. 1 !
nov repeats the democratic position relative
so matters IN controversy IN congress to be,
that The general government La, nothing To- DO
XIII thc management OF election, in the states
neither with defining the qualifications Of vot-
crs how they are 10 vote or where, OF with Cs-
tablishing, regulating, or keeping the peace at
the polls II congress can clOthe the national
executive with power to surround the polls
in the state, with supervisors, marshal> and L.
). troops 10 deter electors from or aid them in
goting foT member, Of congress it may lust as
reasonably cohc the federal executive with
power to control the election Of /. ;. senators
Ivy marching troops or deputy MARSHAL, into
the legislative halls Of Illinois OF Mas,aChu
sells Whcn Il senatorial ticCtbn - DtIuL hclQ
rs General 1robrand once marched with
his troops into the legislative halls Of Ioui,i
ana Even Grant admitted the latter proceed
ing TO be rather ligh,handcd and denied lay
ing authorized it The only control, the demo.
Gratis maintain, that congress under the const,
t,a,Ion can III any case exercise over the elcc
iron Of members Of congress or any other Off
GERS III The states, is that which each house lie
rives from the constitutional provision to Judge
nj she election and qualification Of its own
member, aud, by parity Of reasoning, of prcs-
dental electors. Two years ago the republican
glarry had such high regard for the sacred
ncss of state rights and state control Of cleo
tons that il even dcnied to congress it. obyi
aus constitutional power to judge OF the
election and qualification of presidential cleo
tors; but now the same party contend for the
almost unlimited power Of the federal govern.
I1cnt to invade the states with It's troops mar
Shals and supervisors, and conduct the elections
AZ ii the states were Of less consequence than
conquered provinces, and their talk of their
rights &c maintain ",hc peace and dignity of
thc commonwealth, " &c, was Il broad farce