The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-11-08
BELLEVUE, Ia,
THURSDAY, :::.:::::NoVEMBER 8, 1883

Our present constitution went into
operation In 1889. There was no
purpose by its adoption to do away
with the State governments, and these
governments have continued as they
were prior to the adoption of the con-
stitution, modified, however, neces-
sarily by the constitution of the
United States. Certain powers were
given to the Federal government and
the States agreed not to exercise GER
tain other powers, but as to all mat
tiers of local concern the powers of
the State governments remained just
as plenary as they were before the
formation of the Federal Union
Indeed to negative any idea contrary
to this, the States engrafted an amend
ment on the constitution to the effect
that all powers not delegated to the
United States are reserved to the
States respectively or to the people.
And SO there was established in
1889 double system Of government,
one carried on under the constitution,
with the powers, rights and duties
limited and defined in that paper
writing, and another carried on by
the States respectively, whose powers
were not limited except SO far as the
States had surrendered a part of their
powers under the Federal constitu-
ton. And this double system of
government has been carried and
maintained now for nearly century.
To ascertain what the Federal gov
eminent may do, one must look into
the constitution, and unless he finds
there some express warrant, some
clause comforting the power upon the
United States, the United States cam
not lawfully do it. On the other hand,
the States, each for itself, may ezer-
else any power not conferred on the
United States or which the State has
not agreed to refrain from exercising.
ALI this is clear and easily understood.
Parties have, however, differed as to
Che meaning OF words and clauses
contained in the constitution, and
some parties have sought to broaden
and deepen the powers of the United
States by constituting the constitution
in loose way. The Democrats from
the beginning under the leadership
of Jefferson and Jackson and their
successors have advocated a strict
construction-maintaining and be-
ieving that the best interests of the
people will be subserved by keeping
the central government in bounds
and allowing the State governments,
which are nearer to the people, to
deal with all matters not clearly COM
mitted to the direction of the general
government. The Republican leaders
generally take a different view and
they are advocates of a strong central
government. This then is distinc-
tive difference between the two par
ties. The principle of strict con.
struction ties the Democrats down in
their administration of Federal mat.
tiers to very narrow linits-it forces
upon them small revenues, small ex-
penditures and results in an economi-
cal administration. On the other
hand the Republicans with their idea
of magnificent central government
are not restrained by such influences.
Their view generally is that the Fed
eral government should do many
things not particularly entrusted tc
it. Hence, under their control the
government ut Washington has be
come splendid affair, rivaling in its
expenditures and magnifcence the
regal and princely governments o.
Europe, and although at variance
with the simple ways and methods o.
our hberty-loving forefathers. The
Democratic view is not merely the
correct one, but it is the safe one and
the best for the people, because IT.