Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-10-07
GOVERNOR HORAT1o SEYMOUR.

Against The Perils of a Centralized Gov
ernment-The Republican Party's Insidi.
Gus Encroachments Upon the Limits of
the Constitution-The Positions Of the Two
Candidates Contrasted.
Governor Seymour recently delivered a
political address to his fellow-townsmen OF
Otlca, N. T., from which we make the fol-
lowing extracts, regretting that want OF
space VIII not enable us TO give in full the
words OF wisdom that fell from the lips OF
the 'old man eloquent" Governor Seymour
said: E451 $3.50. - -
1t must not be forgotten that this Govern
ment isno longer the simple machinery it was
IN the early days of the Republic. The
Ducoi1c, age of America is over. The interests
the government has to deal with no long
ef those OF small number of agricultural
communities, with here and there a CONNER
cial town. They are the interests of nearly
n1ty millions of people spread over an inn
Ihen5e surface, with occupations, pursuits
ana industries of endless variety and great
masnitude; large cities with elements of pop
thatlon scarcely known here in the early days,
and all these producing aspirations and in.
terest! so pushing, powerful and complicated
IN thelr nature, and so constantly appealing
70 the government rightfully or wrongtully,
Ina1 5ne requirements OF statesmanship de-
manded In this age far different from
These are n sa mS words. had uttered
them, 1T would be felt that l was making a
harsh charge against the Administration.
They are the statements put forth by one of
Its officials, who speaks from his experience
as a member of the Cabinet, and as one Who
formerly had a seat in the Senate. This dec
lafat1On made by MIR. SchurZ is official in char
acter. 1t Will be so viewed in other countries,
and Will rejoice the enemies of our Govern
ment, while it moltifies the American people.
The speech from which this extract was taken
was made as leading one i'll this canvass
with view of directing its discussions. 1t was
received with applause by the journals OF the
Republican party, and by the leading mem
DerS OF that organization. Its startling decla-
ratlons force upon our minds the questions:
6icnrIDrs he fnfi nd hn
confusion which. press our Government due
to its character ana structure, or to the man
ner IN which it is administered? No other
subject 50 grave or so urgent IS involved in
the pending contest. 1t it is true that the diff
Hcultles III the way OF an honest conduct OF
our affairs are so great that there must be
other qualifications for the Presidency of the
United States than those of intelligence, hon
esty, and patriotism; if our Government can
only be carried on by an exceptional man,
who may not always be at our command, then
we have undergone a revolution. When We
are told that q statesman is essential in the
condition of our affairs, it disturbs our minds
as when we are told that IL physician of UNI
usual skill is needed in our families. 1t means
words we hear but a little while before the
Grape upon our doors informs our neighbOrs
OF the sad result. IT our Government is so in.
numbered with the confusion growing out of
fifty millions of people and their varied inter-
ests and pursuits, it is clear that when that
population within the lifetime OF many before
me shall have grown to one hundred million
and the complicated interests of our country
are multiplied four fold, that our Government
must be overwhelmed or there must be
marked reform in its conduct. This is not a
remote or uncertain danger. 1t is one that we
must confront now; it already taxes our in
dustry and endanSers our prosperity.
EVILS NOT DUE TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Is this state OF affairs due to the structure
of our Government, or to they way it has been
administered! 1t is not necessary at this
time that we perplex ourselves with questions
about the way our Constitution was adopted.
Whether it was formed by q compact between
States. DeODle
the people in their primary individual ca
pacity, IL is enough for our purpose that it is
an indisSOluble bond of union; that it makes
rights of States and of persons; that all these
Union, destruction of States, usurpation of
power, or the wiping out of lines which limit
their respective jurisdictions, would each be
equally revolutionary and disastrous. When
we read the Constitution we lind it makes the
most conservative Government in existence;
that, beyond any other system, it protects the
rights OF persons and OF minOr1tieS. 1t meas
ures out with careful terms the jurisdiction of
Congress. 1t gives to each citizen rights of
OF 81 that ann Si
with regard to them, defy the Government,
although it may act under the impulses of
every citizen but himself. 1t places the Presi-
dent, and Congress, and States under the SUI
perviSOn of the Judiciary. This is to act as
an impartial arbiter between them, and upon
all questions which concern the jurisdiction
or the rights OF either. This method of de-
fning and securing the rights of all depart
known elsewhere in the worlds history. Even
in Britain, proud of what it calls its cOnstitu-
tional law, and OF the protection which Is
thrown around its citizens, Parliament can, if
it will, unjustly destroy life, liberty and prop
erty; there Is no power to resist its DEGREES.
The Judiciary itself is but an instrument to
carry out its purposes, however destructive of
whatthey term their constitutional principles.
Here, an unconstitutional law is dead law.
ABUSES CAUSED By THE REPUBLICANS.
As TO the evils, cOrruptionS and abuses which
are set forth by Mr., SchurZ let us see the
positions held by leading Republicans with
regard to them. WA. ; are INC those doing who
ministration and who seek to hold power?
We have seen that the methods of those who
Constitution of the United States have caused
the dangers which threaten u.s. In the first
place the candidate of the Republican party
openly expressed his joy that Congress has
thus enlarged its jurisdiction. and, to use his
own phrase, he is glad that it graritates to-
eminent to gain this, but he is willing that it
should do SO by indirection and subtle con-
struction. He does not say as he should do if
he seeks q change i'll the character of our
Government that it should be made by open
and direct amendments, but he tries to bring
speak particularly about his position, as he is
now the exponent of the great party which
has placed him i'll nomination for the Presi-
dency The leaders in the canvass on that
side are those that hold places Senators or
as Cabinet Ministers, or important positions
under the present Administration: All of
them in fact, and in some form, ask that their
powers should be increased by taking from
the people some of their home rights. They
say in effect, Give to us your rights of making
laws for yourselves; we can take care of your
interests better than you can. Every demand
for jurisdiction for the General Government
Is a demand for the surrender of rights by the
people in their towns, their counties their
states. Mr.. Garfield openly expresses his sat
isfaction and his desire. il he is elected Presi-
dent, that the Government should have more
power than it had when Washington and Ad-
ans and jefferson and jackson hlled the Ex-
ecutiye Chair. He says there has been a gain
and that there will be more by force of CRAWL
tation; not by the popular will, not by changes
in the Constitution in Il regular way, but that
authority, patronage, and power will add to
themselves, Will by their weight increase and
grow until they are VI, to the full measure of
his desires. He rejoices to see this done in
way against which
GEORGE WASHINGTON WARNED you
in his farewell address, which was submitted
to Alexander Hamilton and other statesmen
before lie gave it to the American people:
sit is Important likewise, that the habits of
thinking. in free country, should inspire
caution in those intrusted with its admins
fratiou 70 confine themselves within their re-
speetive constitutional spheres, avoiding, in
the exercise of the powers of one department,
to encroach upon another. The spirit of en-
croachment tends to consolidate the powers
of all the departments in one, and thus tocre