The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-19
DEFENDING STATE RIGHTS.
The viruinIs Legislature sett,uR Forth Some
Ouespoken Reselutions.


RICHMOND, Jan. 1s.-Tho Senate Special
Committee and tho House Committee on Fed.
erai Relations. acting Jointly. to-day submitted
a lengthy report and n series Of resolutions in
regard to alleged usurpation Of State rights by
Federal Judge Rivcs Of the Western District oil
Virginia. The resolutions declare:
First-That the Constitution OF the United
States is in az full force and riRor rs when
adopted and ratified
Second-That Virginia. in reGntorng the
Union after the civil war resumed all her rela-
lions to the Government on perfect equality
with every other Stato. and Is entitled 20 tho
Same rights and powers. and Ia bound by the
same duties and obligations as each other State
and that her citizens are equal in every respect
under the Constitution with all other citizens OF
the United States.
Third-That the United States can only exer-
else the powers delegated to them in tho Con
stitution. Within the scope OF these powors the
government is supreme; beyond them 1t has
Fourth-That the preservation Of the States
and the maintenance of their Governments are
us much within the design and care Of the Con
stitution az the preservation Of the Union and
maintenance Of the Federal Government and
seDnrate and independent autonomy Of States
Ffth-That the essential and fundamental
right reserved by the people Of the States Ii to
organize each State rs separate and distinct
political society TO constitute therein such gov
eriincnt rs best suits their will and pleasure.
and to change the same whenever their cunve-
nlence requires 1t. subject only to the JOnstitu-
ton OF the United States and laws and treaties
made in pursuance thereof.
SiNth-Thut the necessary and Inherent con -
ditiVn OF this reserved right of local self-gov-
eminent II the right and duty Of the state To
protect life. liberty. and property within her
jurisdiction 10y laws Of her own creation and by
officers Of her own selection.
Seventh-Tha the Constitution of the United
States grants ccriain powers and i'm poses con
srquent duties upon the United States which
they are bound TO execute aud perform, and
that the rights reserved to the States impose on
them certain other functions aud duties which
they are equally bound to execute and perform.
and the United Slatcs can no more rigiitiully
Interfere with and attpmUt To execute the DOW
ars and perform the functions Of the States
than the Stntes can those of the United States.
ard ANY attempt by either To- Interfere with the
rights of tho other will be usurpation and un-
constitutional and void.
Eighth-That the United States have only the
right 10 prevent the exercise by the States Of
powers prohibited to them. by the Constitu-
ton, by pronOuncing such forbidden action
void through the Judicial power. but in no case
can the United States undertake to perform
any duty which II Is incumbent upon the State
Nnth-Thnt therefore all acts of Congress.
and particularly those known a. the Civil Rights
bill and the Enforcement act which attempt or
profess TO attempt To- provide for the perform
ancc by the United States Of duties and obiiga-
tons belonging TO tho States. are unconstitu-
uoniu ana void.
Tcnth-Thal therefore. tho action Of tho
judge OF the Dstrict Court OF the United
States for the Western District Of Virginia. in
assuming Jurisdiction OF the eases of Lee
Reynolds and Burwell Reynolds parties
charged with crime against the laws of the
commonwealth and held to answer therefor
h an attempt e. cNerut" the laws of this COM
monwcalth and % regulate her Internal policy
IA the courts and hW officers Of the United
States. is unwarrantod b, the Constitution. is
d'Stru'tiNc of the rights ut the people ~ each
state 20 project lie, liberty. and property ia
th"lr own way. hl their own courts and officers
and ought az Unee 90 b" remcliel by proper
luliria. elton. and any recurrence OF the same
prevented by appropriate J. = Station.
fl"Nentll-Iha proper provision nv law
ought To De- made Cor tac prompt and elective
suurrN sion by the Suprrmc Court oi the United
states of all proceedings ~ the Judges OF tho
inferior courts 90 the tUiicd States.
Twelfth Fha' tAc Governor IT. instructed 20
direct N" Atora ey-Geh"rul 80 institute pro-
c"c'tugs ia tho nnrue OF This commonwealth
bel pre- th" supreme Court of the United stat -
tribunal can afford in the promises.