Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-07-04
THE ISSUE.


defined with succinctness aud vigor the Demo-
cratic conduct during the past session and
the Democratic position before the country 10
the following terms "We insisted that the
army should he kept away from the polls
that the test oath should be repealed, and that
laws should be enacted for the impartial draw
ing of Jurors; aud that the Federal Govern
ment should not exercise authority over cleo
lions held within the States"
In support Of these definitions OF the stand
and record Of the Democracy it has been
claimed that the House alone has the right to
originate money bills /; that there was no
sach thing as voter Of the United States ex-
cept as voter Of State; that there were no
National elections and that the States alone
had supervision over elections. The Consti-
tuition in its language and spirit is identical
with this position, and the'Supreme Court so
inierprets and decides.
The Republican idea is rehabilitation, and
we look TO Republican speeches and the We
toes to substantiate their position. Mr.. Hurd
does not aggravate the utter nonsense Of the
Radical opposition, when he criticises the ar
gument Of the Republican stalwarts in the
following singing satire, made more telling
from the fact that it is merited by party that
claims support on account of the intelligence
of its principles and the logic with which the
same are supported when we said that
these measures were violative Of the Constitu-
replied that on this side of the House the ma.
jority were Confederate brigadiers, who had
attempted 10 overthrow the Constitution Of
the United States. When we referred 10 the
fact Of outrages committed on American citi-
gems (meaning those in connection with the
alleged enforcement of the election laws) they
replied by citing the outrages at Anderson
vile and other prisons in the South during
the war, and when we urged that The power
of the army should be so limited and qualified
that it might not be used 10 overthrow the
liberties Of the people, they said your side
was whipped by that army and, therefore, you
are opposed to it."
The vetoes are the next apology for the
Radical position, and every atom Of reason
contained In those documents is met and re-
futed by the power of the President 10 con-
troll The State militia, upon which subject Mr..
Hurd remarks: "Never for an instant did our
bills interfere with the power Of the President
over the militia of the States. but only over
this army, this creature of ours. The Pres-
dent has the militia of the States from one end
of the United States to the other to aid him
in executing the laws on election day or at
any other time, at the polls or anywhere
else." This is disregarded with insult just as
the rest Of the Presidents aggression is
a sneer and contemp, for all law and defiance
Of the American people.
What has been accomplished? The Demo-
Gratis have pushed forward in spite of obsta-
cles, threats and blind power. No great prin-
eiple was ever established nor any grievous
wrong redressed without toll and jeopardy of
patience. Here the progress has been slow,
but having taken the posse comitdtus aud police
power from the army, we have earnest Of
grander result to come. "When power has
for twenty years been entrenching behind all
possible legislation, we cannot dislodge 1t in
q moment, but before the Forty-sixth
Congress shall have closed its term | say to
the gentlemen we will have taken from the
statute book every law that proposes to use
this creature of ours at the polls to iniimidate
American citizens in the exercise of their
highest prerogative. would have the gen.
ilemen on the other side and the country re-
member that there has been no surrender Of
the principle with which we began this COZ
test" Such was the language Of Mr.. Hurd
after reviewing the incidents of the fight and
in reckoning the result.
II is claimed that the Republican glut of
power when no one dared protest, its unlim-
ied opportunity for plumber when the men
who should have arrested the wrong were
co-partners in the guilt, and the unlawful pro-
lection given now for its continuation by men
who are coparceners to the filthy Inheritance
handed down through abuse, tyranny and
crime, all or even the slightest Of these unfit
that party for the partial power it now I'M
Justly holds and unlawfully uses.
The seventh section Of the Constitution de-
clares, 1.-THE ratification of the conven tions of
nine States shall be sufficient for the establish
ment Of this Constitution between the States
so ratifying the same" But when this is cited
TO show that the general government is the
creature of the States, or when any other por-
ton Of the Constitution is quoted against Rad
ical abuse they claim that that was settled By
the war, In fact, the war was for no other
purpose than to render void any section that
stood in the way of a centralized government
Let those who think there is but slight diff
ference between the two great parties of TO-
day ponder well the position OF ca CHI on these
questions. lie will lind on the one hand an
effort to perpe,uate our Republic in lite pris-
tine freedom, and on the other hand a resolve
to SO misdirect the operations of its different
departments as TO build up a consolidated
power under the name Of q popular govern
ment.
The History Of Maryland, by wn Hande
Brown and J. Thos. Scharf Kelly, Piett 4
Co., of Baltimore, publishers, is now before
the public. The history comprises com.
plete statement Of events from the earliest set.
Element down TO July II. it's written in q
scholarly style, and the purity and beauty Of
its English being notable and attractive. Th,
facts have been carefully collected and ar,
pleasantly related. The comments are con
else, pointed and fair.
As a school book this history will be mos