Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-10-24

Oh ROVCTnthtIb. n uOoo hiO oahSt'ShNN
by the trainers of the constitution;
doctrine sustained by every reputable
judicial tribunal in the land. A doc
trine asserted to sustain the action OF
the electoral commission which award
ed the presidency to Mr.. Hayes, in its
refusal to 60 behind the returns OF in
dependent states to investigate alleged
feauds in q presidential election. A
doctrine which / believe and which |
understand the democratic party to
uphold. That doctrine is simply this
In all matters OF national concern, in
respect Of all powers granted to it by
the constitution, the national govern
ment is supreme. The states have no
right to interfere with the subject. In
all matters not delegated TO the general
government by the constitution or it's
various amendments, the states arc
supreme. The federal government has
nothing to do with those subjects. And
rs to whether particular power be-
longs to the national government or to
n state, the constitution has created the
iupreme court Of the United States the
final arbiter and judge, to whose de-
cieion every party and every citizen,
every passion, malicious or generous,
must bow.
This is the most wholesome and COM
Portable doctrine Of state rights, rightly
understood. Under it, the national SUI
premacy il maintained in all its vigor,
and local selfgovernment preserved
in its entirety. Under it, nation
al and state government move.
each in its appointed orbit, without
friction and without clashing, like unto
the harmony OF the spheres. Under it
government for the people and by the
people is sustained; and the manifest
evils flowing from great centralized
power are avoided. Under it, tho motto
Of the Republic finds its fulillment,
" n Piuyibus Unun,," Out of many, one.
Dat Of many states, one nation. Out OF
many states, one indissoluble union.
States separate, and yet one, People
separate, and yet one. States indepen-
dent in local affairs; dependent and
united in national affairs.
"separate, as the waves,
Ono, rs the sea"
Partisanship has sought to falsely
charge this doctrine with the paternity
of secession and rebellion; but such at.
tempts will signaliy fail. To strike at
this doctrine Of state rights as exp0und-
ed by the fathers of the republic, ia TO
strike ut the foundation OF our govern
ment TO overthrow this doctrine il to
overthrow our whole system of govern
ment.
There was, however, II doctrine of
notification, u doctrine Of secession and
disunion, once hold by desperate men,
now happily overthrow and laid to
rest in its unholy grave, iitly expressed
in the following resolutions:
R@oiytd, That Tho government formed by thu
constitution OF tho United States was not made
The exclusive or anal Judge of the extent of tho
powers delegated 10 itpalt; but that, as in all
other cases OF compact among parties having no
common Judge. cnch party has an equal right TO
Judge for itself, Ms well OF attractions rs Of the
mode and manner or redress.
ResOirtd, That tho principle and construction
commended for by tho. party which now rules In
that the general government Ia tho exclusive
judge OF The extent OF tho powers delegated to II,
stop nothing short OF despolism since tho dlscre.
ton OF those who administer tho government,
aud not tho constitution, would be the measure
OF their powers, TINT the several states which
framed that Instrument, being aoyeroign and In
Judge Of lie inlfaction; ard thnt positive def,
nnce OF those soycroigntes, OF I'LL unauthorized
acts done or attempted To BIO done under color OF
that instrument IL the rlgbtlul remedy"
These resolutions were adopted upon
the assumption by tho supreme court
Of the United States Of appellate juris-
diction to finally pass upon tho consti
nationality of M act of congress, and
to reverse decision Of u state court
adverse TO tho validity Of the act.
These resolutions do not express the
doctrines Of tho rights of the states.
They declare the doctrines of the South
Carolina notification; they assert the
breathe disunion, and, regret to add,
they formulate tho creed of the repub-
lican party OF Wisconsin III 1859.
These resolutions in substance were
introduced in tho assembly of the Wis
consin legislature by the chairman of
its judiciary committee--a gentleman
now the principal proprietor and man
aging editor of tho Milwaukee Sentinel,
the leading republican organ OF the
state, which paper, just now, is greatly
exercised over tho constitutional dot
trino OF the rights Of states, pretending
to consider it dangerous doctrine.
The committee on federal relations, TO
whom was referred the resolutions no
introduced, reported 10 tho assembly
the resolutions | have quoted where
upon Mr.. Horn, u democratic member,
sought TO substitute resolution as fol.
lows
"Rcsoired, That wo vii! abide BY the decisions
OF tho supreme court ot tho United states on I'LL
doubtful questions which may arise under tho
constitution OF tho United States, or undor any
law OF congress declared Ivy said court TO be con
stitntonal, without regard 10 our own private
Views aud feelings"
And every republican member of
that assembly voted against this latter
resolution, and every democratic mem.
Der voted in its favor, and II was de-
feated. Assembly Journal 1859, page
S63). Thereupon, hy like vote, tho
original notification resolutions were
adopted and sent TO the senate for its
concurrence Assembly journal, 1859,
page S64l, and were coneurred in by
tho senate SENATE Journal, 1859, page
750) every republican senator voting
| IN favor md ayery lnmorratie senator