The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-12-03


Cincinnati Enauisef.
II VA sHrrc Tox. Fos 29--The dispositioL
c,f saicIi Southern Democrats rs have arrlyeS
here ii not 20 again invite connlct Will
: 1.-The President by renewing the tacllcs y
the last these assume that the late elections
have demonstrated that the Northern PEG
pie are in favor Of maintaining the federal
J election laws; that these laws are almos'
4 imperative at the South, and, therefore
the members of that section have no inter
est in their repeal. It may turn out that
a few stalwart Democrats of the "never
surrender" sort will have influence enough
to lead their party into refusing the aPPro-
priations, because it would look like back
| down; but it is evident that the prevailing
sentiment is in favor of backing down
rather than engage in another bitter parti-
san discussion and the passage of bills that
would probably be vetoed. There are
Southern Democrats who affirm most posi-
lively that they will not again be dragged
or driven into such position. The army
appropriation bill will no doubt contain the
same provisions in regard to troops at the
polls that was finally approved by the Pres
ident at the extra session. There are
Democrats who will advise that separate
bills for the repeal of the election laws and
prohibiting any appearance of the military
near the polls be passed and sent to the
the party but is it doubtful if even this
much can be done in the way of reviving
the fight of the extra session, so strong is
the determination of some Democrats to
avoid anything of the kind.
The latter plan is clearly the true
policy to be pursued. Keep the line
distinctly drawn between the doctrine
of reserving to the federal govern
ment all the authority conferred upon
it by the Constitution for the enforce
ment of the laws passed in accordance
with instrument, and restricting it to
the limitations therein imposed, and of
a government Of despotic powers. If
the Democratic party means anything,
it means opposition to an imperial gov
eminent which implies the subordina-
ton of the civil to the military authori-
ty-the obliteration of State lines and
the control of elections with troops at
the polls. If the representative of the
Democratic party can not vote this doc
trine, and speak it, too, if need be-
we do not see what use the country can
have for the party. If the American
people are not prepared to sustain this
doctrine at the polls, they have made
up their minds to become slaves of an
Imperial government with Grant or
some other chieftain as President with
power, for life, and his son
for the successor. What the opposers
Of Imperialism want is not an angry
wranggle, full of sound and flu
ry signifying nothing but mischief, but
measures separately introduced in sup
port Of the Democratic doctrine Of strict
proper laws for the en-
forcement of federal authority as defined
by the Constitution, free elections and
the supremacy of the civil authorities.
If they are vetoed, there is no more oc-
,asion for stopping the wheels of gov
by refusing to vote supplies
han there was in 1898 and 80 on &C
count of the odious Alien and Sedition
avs. Let the appeal be now, as then
lnder Thomas Jefferson, to the sober,
econd thought of the people, and vic
DRY will perch upon the banners of the
'arty of freedom. We have not de-
paired of the Republic. Nor DOVE be-
ieve that the representatives of the
,eople should be deferred from keeping
I'LL high advanced the standard which
ymbolizes free government.