Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-01-17

The New York Times criticizes severely
Senator Edmunds's resolution. 1t says
So far as this resolution is based on Mr.,
Eimundss opinion that there Is insufficient
legislation for the enforcement of what are
known as the reconstruction amendments to
the Constitution, no fault can be found with
it. 1t is our own impression that there Is
law enough if it were properly executed
We do not see how the OBJ
stacles which exist can be removed BY any
legislation which it Is within the power of
the Senate to originate. Mr.. Edmunds,
thinking differently, is. of course, entirely
justified in asking the Senate for authority
to report such a measure as he believes
will answer his purpose.
But his solemn proposition to reathrm the
the validity of the constitutional amendments
made after the war appears to US In the
last degree uncalled for, miSjudged, and, We
may add, mischievous. From a man Of Mr..
Edmunds's well-established reputation for
attachmen. to the Constitution and for
clear and cool-headed views Of its force
aud authority, the proposition is ine1plica-
ble As matter of fact, it MY be that the
validity of the amendments is disputed by
considerable portion of the Southern people,
though We believe that the number is
steadily decreasing, while of those who may
hold in theory that their adoption Was un-
constitutional, there are very many who
never would think for = mOnen' of making
it a practical issue either in law or politics.
On the other hand, the validity of the
amendments is undisputed By very large
majority of the people of the Union it Is
not called in question before tho courts, and
cases have repeatedly been adjudicated
in which objection on this point would
have been controlling, but IN which it
has not been even raised. Why, ther,
should the ques, ho raised at this mo-
ment in the SEM ., when an affirmative vote
would be Of no earthly value, when an ad-
verse vote woulI - u national misfortune,
and when even the recognition OF the exist
Hrce of dispute is misehieyous? Mr..
Edmunds's resolution, ever it is c. ,led from
the table, where We trust 1T will be allowed
70 sleep forever, must give rise TO more or
less excitei debate, in which partisan zeal
will compel one side to maintain the invi-
lidty of the amendments, while the ablest
and most inc0ntrovertible arguments in favor
of their validity land Mr. Eimunds can
easily furnish them by the hour will also
be regarded BY large part Of the coun-
try as also inspired by party spirit.
The precedent, moreover, Is psrnlelOus. Ii
Republican Senate can properly declare
that the Constitution Is valid, a Democratic
Senate cannot be prevented from declaring
that it is invalid The fundamental law of
the land, which should, unless formidably
challenged, be assumed as OF course and in
cOntestably supreme, l. dragged down TO the
level OF doubtful political question. Mr..
Z imundss action seems to be the needless
and dangerous introduction oi the principle
Of the South American prOnuncianIeHto into
the stable and orderly system OF constitu-
tional government, of which he has long
been one of the most valued aGi honoret
defenders.
The New York Tribune thinks well Of the
proposition to instruct the Judiciary Com
mittee Of the Senate to report bill tor the
better protection OF voters in the exercise of
the rights guaranteed by the constitutional
amendments. 1t says;
Mr. Eimunds has way Of catching pao-
pie in awkari places. Probably DO way
could be devised Of dealing a straighter blow
at the permanence OF the bulldozets control
in the South than Mr.. Edmunds bill, which
proposes TO throw the broad shield Of the
United States over all voters engaged in the
act Of choosing members of the House OF Rep
As members Of Congress are cho-
sen at the same election with other public
servants. the protection which the General
Government would be able TO give to the
voter while voting for a member OF Congress
would practically protect him in the whole
exercise of his rights As a citizen; and at
the same time it is difficult to see how eTen
extreme State rights advocates can dispute
the right of Congress to prevent fraud and
in the choice Of its own meul-
bers The condition of the Southern States
shows that some surh measure IS demanded
for the sake of justice and fairness, of which
the Democratic party claims to be the shining
exponent; and it will be instructive to OBJ
serve the demeanor of that partys repre-
sentatiyes when they are asked to support
their professions by their votes.
Washington specials say that the Demo-
Gratis in the Senate will probably not oppose
the resolution, and that it Will pass with
little or no opposition.