Mexico weekly ledger., 1880-08-19

6tfucuOn placcu Wy tuc ltucIaiS VI
the constitution, these latter as con-
sclentiously believed the general gov
eminent would be constantly mem
aced by the ambitions and conflicting
interests of states and sections, and,
therefore, aimed to strengthen it by
the most possible latItudinous con-
struction Of It's powers. They resist
ed to their utmost ability the consti-
tutional amendments alluded to, and
to-day their descendant and repre-
sentative, the Republican party, en-
tertains similar fears and advocates
similar policies. The second plank
Of its Chicago platform thus confirms
what has been said:
ssThe constitution of the United
States is a supreme law, and not a
mere contract ont of confederate
states. 1t made a sovereign nation.
Some powers are denied to the ma
ton, while others are denied to the
states ; but the boundary between the
powers delegated and those reserved
is to be determined by the national
and not the state tribunals"
To which the Cincinnati platform
responds:
eve pledge ourselves anew to the
constitutional doctrines and traditions
Of the Democratic party as illustrated
by the teachings and examples of a
long line of Democratic statesmen
and patriots; opposition to centrali-
zation and to that dangerous spirit of
encroachmcnt which tends to CONSOLE
date In one and thus to create, what
ever the form of government, . real
despotism maintenance ofhome rule I;
the subordination of the military to
the civil authority, and the right of a
free ballot ff4 @
No intelligent reader of the plat
forms ~contrasted, acquainted with
American history, whether he be a
Republican Or Democrat, can arise
from their perusal without p~erceiving
that slavery, notification and seces-
sion have been eliminated from poll
ties, and that strict and latltudinous
constructionists of the constitution
severally entertained from the begin
ming the principles and views that to-
day actuate Democrats and Republi-
cans. And yet, strange as it may
appear, there is a faction in our midst
proclaiming, either i%gnorantly or de-
signedly, that both Democrats and
Republicans have abandoned theii
ancient principles and policies and
left them as legacies to it. These
gentlemen claim there is little differ
enee between Republicans and Dem
ocrats, and that whatever good could
have been found in either Of these
parties is their exclusive property
but while they set up such claims and
invite all to join them upon such false
pretcnce, they assail the Fundamental
principles of both the old parties and
fail to distinguish between the re.
lative powers of state and nation.
In fact, they demand that both shall
employ industry, protect labor, fx
the hours that shall be devoted each
day to work, regulate its pay and sci
limits to its earnings and accumula'
tons. They would construe consti.
tutions SO as to invest the genral gov.
ernment with power to issue fiat
money, and authorize both national
and state legislatures to invalidate
public and private contracts, and
thus avail themselves of both arms oil
government to accomplish their pur.
pose, without regard to the wishes
and interests of those unattached t6
the commune, which aims to destroy
all wealth and reduce individuals tc
a common level of poverty and de.
pendence. ISL.