The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1879-10-18
RepltJlic07eiSns Arroi 6ned
Speech Of
HON DANIEL W. VOORHEES,
At HAMILTON, OHIO,


ject Of the recent extra session o!
Congress. There was Fimultanc-
Gus, prolonged, agOnizcd, historical
scream from Republican sources all
over the country against the Demo-
cratic party, because We asserted
our faith in tho capacity Of the
people to govern themselves, and
our determination that they should
do so without let or hindrance from
military power. This was tho
head and front Of our offending, no
more and no less. We were true,
absolutely true, TO the bedrock
principles ofthc Constitution, while
tho leaders ofthc, Republican party,
rs all tho world knows, proclaimed
on tho floor of both branches Of
Congress doctrines so subversiye
Of tho very life Of civi! liberty that
the Tories OF the Revolution would
have been ashamed to own them.
Does this sound to some Of YOU us
an exaggerated statement made
merely for political effect? II so,
let us examine for 4 few moments
the extent to which the Federal
Government Inns already arrogated
to itself. the right by law to seize
upon every species of local cleo
tons, control them by force, and
manufacture majoritics ont Of mi
noritics. Are YOU aware that there
is now Il law of Congress, enacted
by tho Republican party, III full
force ut this hour, which asserts the
control Of the Federal Government
and The jurisdiction Of the United
States Courts over every election Of
cvcry description that can possibly
occur i'll any State or Territory, in
any district, county, CITY, parish,
township, school district, munich
pali,y, or other territorial subdivis,
ion, if any other can be found?
Such is the fact, Federal power
has clutched control Of every vot-
ing precinct in the States and Ter
ritor;es, In proof Of this allow me
to read in your hearing section
$500 Of the Revised Statutes of the
United States:
Every person who, b. any mn
lawful means, binders, delays, pre-,
vents Or obstructs, or combines
and conftdcratca with others 10
hinder, delay, prevent or obstruct
any citizen doing any net required
to be done 10 qualify him TO vote,
Or from voting in any State, Ter
ritory or district, county. city,
parish, township, school district,
municipality or other territorial
subdivisions, shall he fined not
less than $5Oo.or bo imprisoned not
less than ono month, nor more
than one year. or he punished by
both such fine and imprisonment.
What kind Of an election escapes
tho provisions of this section?
1t has been asserted over and
over again, in Congress and else,
where, by the Republican leaders
and newspapers, that the power Of
the Federal Government has been
applied only at times and places
where members and delegates in
Congress were chosen. This is all
false. rs the section just read con,
clusively proves. If you were
holding an election for Mayor Of
this city, Or for Councilman in it,
various wards, nnd one person
should by any unlawful means
such, for instance, as quarrel on
the street, hinder or delay anothc,
in voting, the person so offending
is, by express terms Of this section
made liable to i fine Of not less
than 500, or imprisoned not less
than one month nor more than one
year, or both such fine or imprison
m"nt. If you were engaged il,
elrcting n Clerk, M Auditor, or
Sheriff, or any other county officer
OF Butler county, the same insnlrnt
Interference by the Federal Govern
mcnt is provided Gor by this Law
You are not free from It's aggressive
and.inquisitiYc power, even in the
lumblcst details of your loral nj;
fairs. In the language Of the law
itself, M election in Il township o,
Il school district is subject to III,
domination OF Federal rule, FEEDER
al Marsllals, Federal arrests All,
tho nonstrous and disproportion
ate punishmcnts of Federal courts
Are vuu in fnvOr of thi4 lnwp Ara