The Cecil Whig., 1881-06-18

successive administrations. And the
Republican platform oil which Mr.. Lin
coin was elected was clearly expressive
of the anti-tederal tendency Of the party,
when it said
1. That the maintenance inv iulatc of
the rights ut the States. and especially
the rights of each State to order and
control its own domestic institutions ac-
cording 10 its own Judgment exclusively.
is essential IL that balance Of powers on
which the perfection and endurance of
our political fabric depends.
" rccur TO these generally forgotten
facts OF our political history. in order the
better 10 sustain oar statement that there
is no reason why Republicans should NOT
fear and fight undue centraization Of
power. 1t is because the Republican
party was obliged to use all the powers
of the government to save its life and
preserve it for unborn generations, that
it is in danger of being tied down to war
doctrines and prccedentS. while the rca-
sui sttltt lilt tilSiSl'i NAVY 'Ni
ished.
We are glad. therefore, when Il pub
!icst of the ability and constitutional
learning OF Mr.. Field, presents the ma
terals for new and non. partisan discus
sion of = question Of absolutely tran
scendant importance. Our complicated
~ lnnunr J, n ~
its main features are understood. believed
in and insisted on by the people. The
tendencies to Capitalization are natural
inevitable and indiaputahle. Mr. Field
proves this by scores of Illustrations
State Offices are losing their dignity and
repute Federal Offices have become i'm
mcnse in number and importance. Fed
eral appropriations are yearly made that
are in violation of ali sound principles of
legislation and are mainly supported in
order to secure the reelection of un-
Acrupulous mem bers OF Congress. The
contest for Federal power is unceasing
and demoraliZes all local politics.
LII VIC" VI NhlSii iiSii VI ''bii l''tl =
may heed Mr. Fields warnings. when lie
says:
We have said that the great ends of
government are unity and freedom. The
former We are sure OF; for it does not
seem possible that any causes now dis
cernibe can divide the American people
, into two or more republics. nations, con
4 f,ln g ,>,liti,,l
ganization. We are united and shall re-
main united under some form of govern
ment. whatever it may be. Ale We AS
sure Of our freedom as OF our unity !:
! That depends upon the preservation OF
/ the States in the plentitude of their
power as they stand under the CONSIST
tution. nothing added and nothing taken
away by unjust Interpretation OF unlaw-
iul force. Security for person and pro-
perty is more important even than unity.
For this security we depend upon the
States. To be a State Of the American
MON is to be sovereign in everything
within its own borders. except where the
sovereignty IN Il certain limited number
of things has been granted to the com
mon government of all the states. Soy
creign States should be kept rs good
old-iashioned expression. Long may it
live. state Tights got bad name be
cause they were pushed to excess-nulIi-
tication was u folly, and secession was :,
crime-but because this folly and this
crime were committed in the nahnc of
State rights. it would be folly 10 infer
that the name may not have good mean
ing and represent "a useful thing. Con
federaey" was 4 name abhorred when
ujl thn { ~ fnl. t.
but we are not now 10 be frightened by
word The ceiling Of tile i.epr.senta-
tives Chamber in the Capitol is divided
into panels of glass, through which the
sun light pours into the room. and Oh
, which are painted, one after another, the
names and cScutche6n~ Of the several
States whose Representatives sit below.
There is the emblem OF New York and
her motto - Ercelsior." and there the
emblem of Virginia and her motto - lSti,.
Sember 3yTonnis," Massachusetts. with
sword upiified. writes 'Ense petit pl,tci-
vania displays her eagle crowned with
light and proclaims ..Nirtue Liberty
and Independence Every escutsleon
set above the chamber represents SOW
ereigu State. which has Il history, pride
ceiling are vacant panels. left for failure
I States Us they are expected 10 oGnie in
long procession. \ thoughtful person.
looking UP at them, cannot but ask him
self. Will they ever be filled? That de-
pcnds upon the men who sit beneath.
and on the people who sent them there.
We may add that tiere was never a
time when the thoughtful ultn Of both
parties could more safely or proiiiabiy
combine to guard against Capitalization
of administration. The nation is in
no danger. Purity Of politics. legitimate
"home rule the preservation of the
. fplnctions and rights of the States. the
protectiuti Of the National Treasury from
= log rolling" appropriation bills. the
gradual withdrawal Of tic prizes for cor
rupt politics by the adoption Of Il ecHa
tide Civil Service Reiorm-thesc are Oh
iects for which all good men may well
strive.