The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-31

This Union not a Nation.


Ever since the Republican party had
the war issue as their sole platform and
began to discuss principles, step by step
they have progressed toward centralism.
When the indignation Of the lovers of Re
publican government was aroused, they
were silenced by reference to the war and
appeals to their passions. Thus year
after year they have steadily advanced in
their eentralizing schemes until now they
proclaim this Union Nation. Such doc
trinc promulgated twenty years ago would
have aroused the people to such pitch
shat the party announcing the heresy
would have speedily been crushed beyond
resurrection; and, to-day, were the rank
and Gle Of the Republican party enamel
pated from prejudice, the Garfield party
the nation party would not carry State
in the Union.
What is meant by declaring this Union
10 be Natioua Simply that all power is
centred in the general government, the
States aud the people having no rights
except such as the general government
chooses to grant. And this meaus that
our elections may be supervised by federal
marshals aud BY federal soldiers, whenever
deemed necessary, and be overthrown
whenever they do not result as the ruling
party would desire; that our election Off
GERS are answerable 10 United States
court for violations of State election laws !;
that the federal government may decide
who arc the rightful authorities 10 State,
as it did in the State Of Louisiana, when
the matter was wholly one for State adju-
dieation; that State iuries may be selec-
ted according to federal dietatiou, aud Of.
fcnders against Stale laws may be tried
according to federal Interpretation of the
same, in a United States court, as Judge
Rives attempted to enforce in Virginia I;
and that the cherished rights Of the States
and the people, guaranteed by the Cousti-
tuition, may be respected only when they
DO not come 10 conflict with any scheme
the general government is enforcing
As long as the Constitution exists as It is
and is respected there can be no Nation
founded 10 the United States, Iu that
instrument the independence and distinct
existence Of the States are recognized
The powers Of the general government are
clearly defined, and those prohibited to the
States are plainly enumerated. When the
Constitution was framed it was not aceep-
table to the people. 1t was argued that
the powers Of the general government, by
certain interpretations, might be too great,
and the people were slow in accepting it.
II was formed in September, 1857, and
Delaware ratified it first In December Of
the same year, and Rhode Island, the last
State, did not ratify il until May, 1890;
and it was only ratified at all under prom
isc Of speedy amendment In fulflment
Of this promise the first ten amendments
were proposed at the fgst session of the
FIRST Congress, and were ratified by the
Statesin less than year after all the States
had endorsed the original constitution
Before the government was many years
older Gin 1903 two moro amendment,
were adopted.
In the Constitution as drafted BY Madi
son and ratified in 1890, as before stated
the powers Of the government are define,
and those prohibited to the States enum
Grated. In order that these powers an,
prohibitions may not be construed to tn
disparngement Of the rights Of the State
and the people, two Of the amendment
promised before the ratification of tn
constitution, are specially plain and pro
hibitory, and clearly contradict the ide
that the onion is a Nation. The 81
amendment says "The enumeration IN IL
consolidation, Of certain rights, shall not ,
construed 70 deny or disparage Others ,,
tanned By he people, and the 10th lay
8 The no,,,ers aof s5e7eoafed ~ me Init