Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-09-10
estate RIGHTS"

The following, which we clip from
the Butler Herald, is the best short
disquisition we have seen on tins sub
ect which more or less agitates tho
public mind at this time. The editor
remarks:
ain looking over our Republican ex-
changes we are continually informed
that State rights is dead, and that
the Democrats are still in favor of that
dead issue. We have not the slightest
doubt, If the true feelings of these Re-
publican editors were exposed to pub
lie view, they would be found in favor
of the death ofevery State right known
to the Constitution, natural or merce-
nary. The inclination Of many Re.
publican editors is TO wipe out all such
obstacles to the consideration OF power
in the Federal governments us State
lines, State legislation and other mat
ters included within the reserved rights
and to this end, they seek to impress
upon the public mind that the doc.
trine of State rights is unwarranted
and outrageous.
Let us reason together and see what
the doctrine of State rights is, in or
der that the intelligent citizen may see
his cause clearly. The Federal Con.
stitution says;
HArt. TX. The enumeration in the
Constitution of certain rights, shall
not be construed to deny or disparage
others, retained by the people
cart. y. The powers not delegated
to the United States by the Constitu-
ton, nor prohibited by it to the States,
are reserved to the States respectively,
or to the people"
Let any one take up the Constitu-
tion and examine 1t and be will find
the powers delegated to the United
States, and those prohibited to the
States. Unless the citizen is wilfully
blind, or politically prejudiced III favor
Of consolidated government, he can
ascertain beyond all question the pow
ers and duties of the States respective
ly. So long, therefore, as the constl-
tuition lasts, so long must State rights
exist There is no other result, and
editors who blather and make a noise
about State rights are either lamenta-
bly, ignorant of the Constitution, or
wickedly disposed to impose upon the
people.
The only bone Of contention that
ever did exist between the States and
the general government was the doc.
trine Of the right Of secession. South
ern States in late years, and the New
England in former years, contended
that they had the right to secede from
the Union whenever they deemed their
interest demanded such secession. This
doctrine was first contended for by the
New England States during the war of
1912, and her citizens burnt blue
lights to show the British a safe en-
trance into the harbors. The people
Of these States said the war of 1912
was contrary TO their interests and,
therefore, they had the right to &C.
cede-that secession was right which
each State reserved when 1t came into
the Union. Ihere was no such doc
trne as her Republican people now
contend for, that We are nation and
State rights are dead. Their hope is
that by consolidation they will remain
masters oi the government, ana by
thelr capital keep IN bondage 10 them
the growing ana now powerful innu-
ehce OF the west FROM them inc
southern people became the advocates
OF secession when the slavery ques'ioh
loomed up as an important factor IN
the politics oil the country Inc only
alllerence between tnem was, tnat tne
new England states were 700 coward
y 10 hght ior the doctrine WINE the
southern states sacrihced all they had
ior the prlncipie'
Inc doctrine oil secession as state
rlgnt Is ueao-maue 30 py inc result
OF the war out 10 say that all other
rights oil states are deaa IS 10 ignore
Ine states ior tne general government
Ihis IS the ola rederal doctrine ana no
man VINO mas urop OF Democratic
oiood IN ms VEINS can advocate IT, Inc
people are, therefore, called upon TO
assert inc fundamental doctrine oil the
government w; that our government
is oil twolold character, one possess
ca oi powers which ~ was Impossible
TO exercise oy the states separately
ana yet MAINTAIN a 6ond oi unionj the