The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-09-19

o crimes against the whites OF the state the
Q would 20 UNPUBLISHED? The state governmsn
10 white government no colored men ~
: represented in it, and 90 far no man connecte'
o with 1t has hal tho honesty, courage, or hu
: mainly to attempt to redress the wrongs o
: these unfortunate men Of color.
All will admit that it is the duty OF the stat
TO extend to all citizens the equal protection
0 OF Its laws. Is this done when 10 enacts law
. that In terms apply to all the people, and ye
. the executive, legislative, and judicial depart
r ments OF the state refuse to apply these law
to class OF citizens more in number than one
, half OF the whole population OF the state? i
, would seem the state ought not only to enac
laws for the equal protection OF her citizens il
oil their rights, but to enforce them. The laws
OF South Carolina and Louisiana are undoubt
edly sufficient for the protection OF all their
citizens, II only enforced. That there has been
q lamentable failure to enforce the laws the
testir ony taken by the committee fully proves
The course pursued IN those states must in the
end be the destruction or the government OF
those states; and while our humanity may be
less shocked at frauds perpetrated at the polls
than at murderous raids headed by political
candidates who make war on all who do not
support them and their party, yet the same
end will be reached by the one method OF
thwsrtng the will Of the people as by the
other; that is, the end Of free government.
That thousands OF people IN the states con-
troled by the political party profiting by these
outrages condemn them, there can be no doubt :;
but they lack the Independence and courage to
make themselves heard in opposition to them.
DUTY OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
IT, as the committee firmly believe, the fore
going conclusions are fairly drawn from the
evidence, 1t remains to inquire whether any
thing, and, il anything, what, can be legitimate
ly and fairly done by the national government,
and what is its duty IN the matter The evils
existing may be classed under two heads:
1st Citizens duly qualified to vote are pre-
vented from voting or their votes, if cast, are
not honestly counted.
I'd. Violence and intimidation affecting life
and property are used to prevent citizens from
voting.
Not considering at all the question whether
the national government can to any extent IN
terfere to protect Its citizens IN the enjoyment
OF the elective franchise in elections for state
officers, 1t seems clear that it may and should |
interfere TO protect them in the election OF
members Of the house of representatives.
Article OF the constitution Of the L nted
States provides as follows:
The times, places and manner of holding
elections for senators aud representatives,
shall be prescribed in each state by the legisla-
turs thereof; but the congress may at any
time by law make or alter such regulations, ex-
,ept as to the places Of choosing senators.
This provision Of the constitution does not
1t all touch the question who shall vote for
members OF congress, but 1t clearly gives to
he congress full and complete power to deter
nine when, where, and in what manner those ,
laving the right to vote shall exercise that ,
ight. The congress may not see DIT to eXer- ,
use this power. In that event the whole mat
erls left with the states respectively; but il
he congreSs shal see fit to exercise its power.
hen 1t may do SO as fully and completely az
be states had formerly done or might law 8
ully do. s
Inc trainers OF the constitution appear to u
ave considered 1t safe to leave this matter. in
ne first place, under the control of the states. u
ut 1t s very evident they foresaw that condi "
ons might exist In the future under which the :,
lfety or the national government and the
ghts OF citizens might require that the 'times
aces, and manner OF holding these electons p
iould be under its own control, and not under At
lat OF the states. In the deliberate judgment "a
your committee those conditions now exist. pl
III the time has come when the congress III
ouid exercise the power it clearly possesses be
providing by law for fair and free elections bs
members OF congress. 1t ought to be sufi- %
ant to say, In regard to the policy of this -,
sislstion, that prompt and cheerful accent
ce OF and obedience to the laws passed by a,
ngress, which is both desirable and necessary. III
mot be reasonably expected when a portion is
our people have good cause to believe that Va
ose laws are enacted by persons claiming TO IN
present constituencies by whom they were We
t chosen. -,
The power to pass laws prescribing the of
lmes places, and manner" Of holding cleo th
ns for members of congress necessarily I'M bo
es the power to provide for the punishment =,
violations OF such laws. 1t will scarcely be
it cannot be fairly claimed 10
hat the national government is compelled to "
for the punishment OF offenses against it's me
n laws upon the laws Of the several states. the
Q statement OF such claim Is sufficient TO cur
w it's absurdity. pro
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