The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-17

as exhibiting any great amount Of ability
Il is more common place shan statesman
like, and deals with topics not pertinent to
the campaign, aud which are unimportant.
For instance, he says that the safety Of
the, navigation Of the Mississippi River is
Of such vital Importance that It requires
exceptional consideration, and further on
adds-"Fortunately for the interests Of
commerce, there is no longer sy formida-
bic opposition to appropriations for the i'm
proyement Of our harbors and great nayi-
gable rivers, provided that the expendi.
lures for that purpose are strictly limited
to works Of national Importance. Then
if such be the case, why alludc to the
subject. The question Of the improve
ment of the navigation Of the Mississippi
is a question for Congress to determine,
and not one for candidate for the Presi-
dency to dwell upon, to the exclusion Of
important issues.
On the custom laws there is now no
strict party issue, yet Gen, Garfield de-
votes a portion Of his letter to their dis
custom The tariff laws are also a con-
gressional question, aud Democrats and
Republicans are divided among themselves
upon them.
In reference to the currency question he
says nothing definite, aud what he does
say can be construed to suit the paper ad-
yreates of the West as well as the hard
money men Of the East.
Thus Gen. Garfield proceeds throu Oh
the whole letter, touching lightly and vague
" upon unimportant questions, Upon
one point, only, does he give decisive OK
preston to his views, aud that is where he
deelOres this government nation. Il Is
given as conviction merely, aud no au-
thority for the opinion Is quoted. The
Republican platform, which he cordially
endorses, declares that the nation has GER
tain rights and the States have others,
those Of the latter being determined by
national tribunals Ia the constitution,
which Mr. Garfield now seems so much to
reverence, the powers Of the general gov
ernment arc clearly defined, and the pow
ers prohibited to the States are also dis
tinctly set forth, all other rights and pow,
ers resting wholly with the States or with
the people. 1t is question in this cam.
paign whether we shall hereafter have a
union Of States or consolidated govern.
nent with absolute powers, aud Gen. Gar
field had here fne opportunity to discuss
the question from constitutional stand.
point He could have given evidence as
to his ability as constitutional expounder,
and it would have been interesting at this
political juncture for him to have defined,
according to his understanding of the con.
stitution, what powers are delegated to the
general government and what are reserved
to the States. IL is living issue whether
the States have no rights which the gov
eminent should respect, as the Republi.
cans have administered the government,
and it is the paramount issue In that
question many issues arc included. Upon
it hangs the right of States to administer
their own laws, hold their own courts, regu.
late their own elections aud to administer
theirafairs generally without federal super
vision Formerly States held congressional
elections aud voted for presidents as they Sc
lected their own officials, but now the gov.
erpment has undertaken to supervise all
these for them, States formerly prescribed
qualifications for jurors aud the manner of
their selection but the federal government
has decided that federal laws, interpreted
by partisan supreme court, must govern
in such matters. States formerly tried
personsfo offences against State laws, but
the federal government, through its courts,
has seriously interfered with several States
10 the exercise of this right. States form
erly were able to maintain the rights aud
privileges Of their citizens, but the federal
government has undertaken TO generally
supervise aud guard the interest of one class
(negroes) in every State, regardless Of
State authority. In this one question Of
the powers Of the federal government and
the rights of the States, tho great fraud of
1876 is also included. II is the only liv.
ing question Of importance touched upon
by Gen. Garfield, and he has contented
himself with merely utiering weary plati-
tudes.
To state that this Union is a nation, and
then to profess reverence for the eOnstitu-
ton, is indicative Of ignorance Of the pro.
visions af that instrument or is a willful
intention to deceive. Where in the con-
stitulion is the authority for the appoint
mcnt Of deputy marshals to supervise reg
is,rations and eleetions2 Where in the
constitution is the authority for United
States Court to take from State Court
aud try person for an ofFsuse against a
State law? Where in the constitution is
there sentence or word that justifes the
assertion that this Union Is nation
Whilst protesting devotion toshe constitu-
iion the Republican party has steadily been
overriding State authority and centraliz.
ing al power in the general government
This has been done under various pretexts,
but the main object has been to maintain
Republican Supremacy. The army and
navy and the hosts OF deputy marshals
have been used simply and solely TO uphold
The power Of the Republican party. Let
the people endorse Garfield and the Re-
publican platform and we will have a ma
ton indeed State lines and State author.
| ity viii exist only on paper, and nothing