Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-02-03

them TO have two means of communica-
ton with the rest OF The world instead of
oonfiuing Thorn to one. and there Is no
possible toom Tor honest and disinterested
difference OF opinion on this matter Hence,
all we ask of our legislators Is that they
shall disregard all that interested counsel
say TO them on either side In the way of
persuasion, and act in the interests of the
people of Delaware, which in this matter,
simply require fair field and no favor for
both the corporations coutending for their
future patronage. .--s.
The state Baund TO Defend fits own
Officers in Asserting Ets Rights and
Powers.
For more than century the State of
Delaware has conducted IDS own elections
according to its own laws aud preserved
the peace within its territory by its own
officers. This was not by the favor of the
Federal Government, but by virtue of
rights existing and belonging to it bsfore
it helped create the Uaited States Govern
ment 1t has never claimed any new
or different power 10 the con-
duct Of elections or the preservation
of the peace since it's existence began, and
hence any oopfcts which have arisen
since hsye come about through encrosch.
ments Of the Federal government on the
State There is dispute as to the legality
of these enoroschments, aud it is sheer
| nonsense to say that that dispute has been
finally decided in mems minds by the
partisan ratification by 3 bitterly
partisan majority in the supreme court
of everything partisan majority
in Congress has chosen to enact. Pract.
cally, however, the decisions of that Court
stand till reversed, however feeble and
unfair the judges making them, but the
great question as to the wisdom and pro-
priety of these persistent and determined
assaults on the rights of the states is one
for the people to determine and it is the
question Of questions in American politics
to-day. The man who takes one sids of il
is centraliz,tionist DESTROYS of sacrificing
local self government to this supremacy of
federal power, and the man who takes the
other side is a constitutionalist supporting
the old idea of diffusion OF power and the
rights OF the states which animated the
majority of those framing our govern
ment.
Keeping this in view it is not difficult to
see how the Legislature of this State must
be divided on the resolutions considered
: last week in the House authorizing the
employment of counsel by the State fol
the defense of this State Off ,ers indicted
because of acts committed while acting ss
policemen or deputy sherItfs at the recen
election. Everybody knows tina
L there was conflict of author
. ity then. The Republicans under
u took to assert the authority OF tn
IL Federal government over tn. election t,
II the practical exclusion of State officer
10 from all authority whatever The officer
~ of this city ard county undertook to. an
10 did, assert the ancient local law. For act
officers were indicted by the State couets
e aud the United States Government
Z, simply because it bas the phys
~ cal power to do 10, took th
y persons arrested out of the hands Of tn
g state authorities and practically release
- them, though nominsIly holding them ia
~ trial 10 the lited States court III
u State OF Delaware has not the phys,ct
9 power to take those of its own ntfi SCI
~ who have bseu arrested for alleged viol,
NC tious of Federal laws out Of the hands c
81 Federal authorities but it has the powt
He TO help them 10 their defense, and it is i
we plain duty to do 20 They are not la
ne breakers in the ordinary sense of the tern
'n but they are men prosecuted for an idt
AZ which they share in common wi;
ne the majority Of DslawareaGs and the Sa
ut government which thzy represent
Ior would be shameful for the State
iis abandon them to their own resources
80 their time of trial, and it will not do q
llu Any man who votes to do so will be fall
''it TO the living principle which has kept ii
sei Democratic party alive, and which al
mated Jefferson to found it, and SO "
Sn any mau who in any conceivable capaci
'ht has anything to do with making possih
'uf the punishment of any of these men +
us asserting, the rights which this Sta
va never surrendered and which have ney
lgs been lawfully taken from it,
re- naturally, and quite properly, the Rapu
on liesns in the House oppose the resolutio
out The Republican party honestly belisy
On thu! the states are mere provinces und
y the control OF the Federal government, a
IS that the State af Delaware especially is Q
hat such province which ought to be broug
lng into more sji ct subj elton than II has ,
ana consented to. Wherever there il dill
IL encs between i aud the Federal Cows,
no ment tbey are on tie side of the lat
ally from instinct and inclination. They CT
Is stitute very small fraction of
va! native white population Of the State a
Ter are absolutely depsndendent uu the SO
mat negro vote the Federal Government
Rs into their hands Gratitude a. well
ing self interest :ausas them to b. the ps
Of sans of the F-derAl Goy.rnm
Fike against their own State and t
the is their necessary position
OF Republicans. They will protest a
rem if there were enough of them 4
N would doubtless vota the resoluti
'on- down, but the simple and sufficient 1
our is tbst there are not enough of tn
test When there are we may look Tor the Q,
sing plete surrender OF all the aGcient right,
only Delaware By It's Legislature so that no )
or questions can arise.
that
oeer TIE time may come when We will
we nitro-glyceriue TO prevent eIplosit
it is Wing net when they already use SO
Is to A.m4bie material as cotton to const
heir fire proof buildings? Converted into p
Z. L