The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-23

% That the United States can only exercise the
powers delegated to them in the Constitution.
Within the scope of these powers their govern
tence. All powers not delegated to them are re-
served to the States or to the people, and in the
exercise of them the States are sovereign, the
two governments together forming one complete
whole, and neither can or ought to interfere with
the rights or duties OF the other.
A. That the preservation OF the States and the
maintenance OF their governments are as much
within the design and care OF the Constitution as
the preservation OF the Union and the mainten-
ance OF the Federal Government; and the sepa-
rate and independent autonomy of the States is
necessary to the Union under the Constitution.
g. That the essential and fundamental right re-
erved by the people of the State is to organize
each State separate and distinct political So
ciety, to constitute such government therein as
the same whenever their convenience requires it,
subject only to the Constitution of the United
States and the laws and treaties made In pursu-
ance thereof.
6. That the necessary and inherent condition of
this reserved right of local sef-govemmenti is the
right and duty OF the State to protect life, liberty
and property, within her jurisdiction, by laws
Of her own creation, by officers OF her own selec-
ton.
I. That the Constitution of the United States
grants certain powers and imposes consequent
duties upon the United States, which they are
bound to execute =, and perform and that the
tain other functions and duties which they are
equally bound to perform; and the United States
can no more rightfully interfere with, and at
functions of the States, than the States can those
of the United States and any attempt by either
usurpation, unconstitutional and void.
g. That the United States have only the right to
Ribted to them by the Constitution, BY PROMOTING
ing such for hidden action void through the judi
ciaI power, but in no case can the United States
undertake, in any manner or for any reason what
soever, to perform any duty which it is incum-
bent on State to perform.
9. That therefore all acts OF the Congress, and
a fhn iXyi PiOht
and the enforcement act, which attempt, or pro-
TESS to attempt, to provide for the performance
longing to States, are unconstitutional and void
10. That therefore the action Of the Judge Of the
District Court of the United States for the West
ern District OF Virginia in assuming jurisdiction
of the cases OF Lee Reynolds and Burwell Rey-
nolds, parties charged with crime against the
laws OF this Commonwealth, and held to answer
therefor by the Circuit Court of Patrick county,
one OF the courts Of this Commonwealth OF COM
petent Jurisdiction, and his removal OF those
county, who is the legal custodian OF the same,
to that OF the marshal OF the United States, and
Court Of the United States for said w western Dis
trict, is an attempt on his pant to execute the
laws of this Commonwealth, to regulate her in
the United States, is unwarranted by the Consti-
tution is destructive OF the right OF the people OF
each State to protect life, liberty, and property
and ought at once to be remedied by proper ju-
dicial action, and any recurrence OF the same
H. That proper provision by law ought to be
made for the prompt and effective supervision
by the Supreme Court OF the United States OF all
the proceedings Of the Judge of the inferior
courts of the same when they deny any right
claimed, in any matter before them, under the
rights reserved to the State or the people, or the
rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the
United States and this supervision ought to be
exercised by interference before wrong is done.
as well as by appeal after one has been commit
ted.
12 That the Governor is hereby requested to
direct the Attorney Gene raj to institute proceed
ings, in the name OF this Commonwealth, before
the Supreme Court of the United States. and to
demand in her name such protection and redress
that tribunal afford in the premises, to the
end that the parties now wrongfully held under
the mandate OF the Judge of the District Court
OF the United States for the Western District of
Virginia, may be returned to the custody OF the
officers OF the Commonwealth, then to be dealt
with as her laws direct.
Is. That the Governor is hereby requested to
transmit copies OF these resolutions, and the re-
port accompanying the same, to our Senators and
Representatives in Congress, in order that they
may be laid before their respective houses; and
also to the Governors of each State in this Union
with the respectful request that he bring the
same to the attention of the General Assembly
OF his State, and earnest hope that all the States
will cooperate and assist us in maintaining our
common rights and protecting our common in
terests.