The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-29
A Glorious Reconstruction.

ROAAS>N~NS@S,
the Kansas City Times, are ''beginningt tt
cry out against their own supreme court
1t is removing the very foundations
from under the party, and the whole
structure is about to tumble upon theil
heads.
The late civil rights decision in which
the court adhered to the doctrine OF
strict construction of the constitution:
the Illinois railroad decision in which
the court upheld the claim of the Hi
nois commissioners Of the right by vir-
tue of a law of the state to regulate the
charges of the railroad companies; the
Louisiana mandanaus in which the court
declared the broad doctrine that the
court of the United States had no au-
thority over or upon state officials; the
Virginia coupon case, where the right
of the state to prescribe the methods of
dealing with her indebtedness as she
pleased was recogeized; the Tennessee
kuklux case, where the prisoners were
turned over to the State authorities for
punishment; the Chicago elevator case,
in which the right of the state to regu-
Late the fees charged was upheld; these
and scores of other decisions have
markell completereturn of the highest
tribunal in America back to the strict
constructions of the constitution which
prevailed in the days before the war,
and after the demise of federalism.
The fullneSs of time for the overthrow
of the party built upon theories of CEN
tralism, would seem to have come.
When one by one they have been meas
ured in the crucible of law and logic,
and been found wanting, the party
built upon them was bound to topple as
they were removed.
The fitness of things shall have been
secured when senate and president shall
in 1885 be brought in complete harmony
with the court, and the three depart
ments, executive, legislative and judic-
ial, again agree upon the fundamental
principles of constitutional govern
ment.
The scales have been gently lifted
from the cOlored mans eyes, and for the
first time he sees that he has been made
the dupe of party that deliberately de-
ceived him by pretending to bestow up
Oh him rights and remedies not vouch-
Sased to his pale-faced friends.
Not until 1883 did the railroad COM
1anies learn that they were the agents,
md not the masters, of the states from
which they obtained their charters, and |
hat as agents they were amenable to
such just rules and regulations as their
principles might prescribe.
1t was only in the latter part of this
blessed year of our Lord that the feder-
u judges began to learn that the au-
hOrity which they had been exercising
~ mandamus over state officials, and
he assumption of the power to punish
or contempt all who resisted, was not
likely to be sustained in proper case at
Only lately was the decision rendered
hat taught the holder of fraudulent Sc
urities that he must look to the courts
f the state where his stocks and bonds
we're issued for the adjudication of his
laims.
Not for twenty years did the white
itizen of the south feel secure from ar
est and trial in a federal court upon
harges peculiarly cognizable in the :
ounty where he might be accused, I'M
i the Tennessee court claimed a prison. ,
+ so held by the federal authority and |
lade good its claim in the court of last
eSort.
Only lately was it completely settled v
nat the state had the authority to en- '
ct laws to punish corners in the neces- :
aries of life, and lay the mailed hand .
the law upon grain and provision S
Who will say that such are not glori- l
is condemnations? What sincere re- !
lblican or democrat does not rejoice at C
he reconstruction of our laws upon the S
asls of constitutional national govern !,
ent, state rights and civil liberty? +