National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-01-30

noble cscutcheon.
Let IL be fastened upon the political le eldorship
the faction to which II siugularly belongs, ant
which now Condunes and seeks to screen nom eN
posure and punishment the lawless pruSeodlng'
and bloody deeds committed iu that boha!l,
In the nhmO Of her civilization ana her hlgh es
TEEN for the respect aud good will OF the CHRISTIAN
family this investigation is invoked. ,.,
1t Is OF 10 measurable consequence whAt Tho
fate of political parties, whore questions oil human
right and the character of great commonwealth
are impCrilCd.
no state of those engaged on the southern side
In the unhappy sectional war had more tho
roughly, cordially, and sincerely acqueseod in the
result and turned her face tu the morning Of m
indissoluble union, one and inseparablc, nation
After reviewing what had been done under the
readjuster administration of affairs, Mr. Malone
Responding to a rancorous sentiment, re.en-
forced by II diseased aud uncontrollaole ambition
for place and power 1t was to prevent tho con.
tinued success Of the pirty which had inaugu-
rated such an era of wholesome reforms, peace,
plenty, and good will toward men, that an uu-
iorupulous leadership of n political faction con
ceivtd and contrived by such agencies to defeat
the homes! will Of majority of the people, at the
election OH the sixth of November last, and to
force II result in its own fnYor.
The scheme was by the shotgun practice and
other means of compulsion to frighten and re-
strain the COlored voter from exercising his con-
stitutoual rights OF franchise aud, by inciting
and promoting the preludices of caste and con-
ilict of blood to compel the moro irrcsolutc less
informed and more dependent class of white
voters to abandon their own political faith and
to indorse leadership and principles which had
boon repeatedly condemned at the polls.
But, Mr.. President, forbear to enter now upon
the facts which are to be the subject of the pro-
posed investigation further than may be incident
to discussion Of the powers OF congress over the
matter
Here, in connection with with the exercise of a
right guaranteed by the constitution, on which
the very integrity OF this government rests, n
n lumber Of wantOn murders have been committed
which have not been prosecuted nor can bO made
the subject of judicial investigation, as appears.
The murdered men all belong 10 u race or class,
who are Notwithstanding and none the less eiu;
zens of the STATE aud OF the United States, entitled
as such TO the protection of tho laws, the privi.
leges OF the ballot, aud enjoyment of liberty.
These murders, which In the dawn OF Civlliza-
tion, "when the rough feelings of barbatism had
not experienced the softcning touches Of time,
would have needed the gloss of apology arc
charged TO ave been of political design; and the
oXCulpation of the participants Is alleged TO 10
part Of the same political object, that object being
10 deprive by intimidation Ot their right Of sui-
irage u race of citizens who arc guaranteed ii by
the constitution Of the United States, aud who,
on tho assumption that they are free 10 enjoy the
exercises of that right are counted to n man, in
making up the appOrtioument of representation
allowed u each state, IN the popular branch Of
the national legislature and in the electoral CIl
lego Of the union; while failure to punish such
crimes, aud TO protect the citizen in the full and
safe pursuit of that right Is expected TO opera O.
us reasonably it must, to lower his manhood, cir
CunsCrlOU his enegies, and his productive
capacity, lessen his respect for the government
.nd his love Of Country, and finally TO su0due his
lac or.
Where shall the inquiry be instituted, If not here
In tho congress of the United States, whether
representation conforms to the theory oi the or.
gunic law w?
Ifa state enjoys representation in congress on the
iaih that the right OF suffrage is free 10 all its 10.
galy qualified voters, il is Il breach OF faith with
the other states OF the union to deprive any cla.s
or any part of any class OF voters OF this right
the enforcement of any such restriction, no
matter the device or the means employed, nor the
measure of the result is wrong to other states OF
the union ana an assault upon the spirit OF the
constitution which, | submit, 1t is the duty OF
congress not only to Investigate but 10 rebuko ana
correct.
There is, Mr. President, another even broader
ground than this, If broader there can be, on
which this power Of congress 10 inquire into such
matters rest.
The United States by constitutional obligation
guarantees TO each state republican form OF gov
ernment that is TO say, II form of government in
which the unhindered will of the majority ol the
legally qualified voters controls the administra-
II by murder or any kind of violence this will
Of the majority is overthrOwn, aud those who com
init the murders 30 unwhipped OF justice, or other
acts OF violence designed t. substitute the will Of
minority for that OF majority are allowed i'm
punty, then we have government wherein the
minority governs-governs by the practice of
fraud and Of crime, and therefore government
that is not rGnuDlCa
The union was formed on the fundamental CON
ditiOn mutually pledged between the states; that
It was TO be union of republics, and that each
state would preserve republican form OF govern
ment; aud IL is a high duty that congress owes 10
all the states that such government III fact and in
spirit, as well as in form, be maintained.
When, therefore, IT appears thar III any state the
elective franchise is so far ovcrthrown by lawless
practices which the local government cannot or
Will not punish, or By methods and devices calCu
lated to abrdge the right then not only tho power
vested in congress, but that body is under solemn
obligation to inquire into the subject and 10 en-
force remedy.
Mr.. Madison, treating of this question (in No. AZ
Of the ftdcrGistJ, when the reach, powers, and
hrge as now, and its relations with the citizen
less direct, seemed to have contemplated case
precisely like the one under consideration. He
says; rs y true that force and right are neces-
sariy on the same side in republican govern
ment? May not tho minor party possess such \
isry talents and eXpeTicnce as sN viii rem
der 1t superior also in IN appeal to the sword
Nothing can be more chimerical than TO
Imagine that i'll trial Of actual force victory may
be calculated by the rules which prevail III II
census OF the Inhabitants, or which determine
it may be doubled on Which side justice lies, w6at
letter umpire could be desired by two violent
factions, flying to arms and tearing state TO
pieces, than the representatives of confederate
states not heated by the local fame?
"To the impartiality OF judges they would unite
the affection OF friends. Happy would 1t be ii
such remedy for It's iniirmities could be enjoyed
by all free governments; If q project equally
eiieetual could be established for the universal
peace ofmanklnd."
These passages show that the power in question
was given 10 cOngeess in an enlarged ana patrl
otto view, and that the trainers OF tue constitution
contemplated is exercise in a case like that 10
which the resolution Is directed.
Mr.. President in the year 1859, Virginia resumed
her place in the union, with u state constitution
adopted almost Neutrality-suspicious. 5000 votes
against it-which embodied the following decla-
"That this state shall ever remain a member Of
the United States OF America, and that the people
thereof are part OF the American nation, aud that
al attempts, from Whatever source or upon what
ever pretGxt TO dissolve said union TO said
nation are unauthorized and ought 10 be resisted
with the whole power OF the state
THAT the constitution of the United States and
the laws Of congress passed in pursuance thereof
constitute the supreme law of the land, 10 which
paramount allegiance aud obedience are due from
every citizen everything in the constitution, or.
dinances or laws Of any state to the contrary not
Withsanding"
Thus she took her Iplace In the union without
Cas in l1s9l any express reservation of power or
mental reservation OF doctrines such us were
known in the political controversies of past era
snG came with heart in hand, surrendering her
all and pledging her all for the national peace
and prosperity. She gave up powers which had
brought ruin and desOlaliOn to her people, and
came TO share the fate of the union us n nation,
regarding no special destiny as worth preserving
out Of the union or III antagonsm with IT,
II is to Nindicate her good faith in these decla-
ratlOus and in this act that desire this inyeSu-
CATION. II is 10 remove by sucn formal instru-
mentality any doubt which may linger in Il re-
spected public Judgment that the uncondoned
practices and crimes which political Leadership p
has inaugurated upon her sol. are not Ol the sem
tllnent OF II majority Of her people, who protest
against any desire 10 nullify any law Of the
union.
II is in the hope that such consideration may
be brought 10 the subject rs will lead to the ar
rest Of such practices, which initiate against the
peace ana welfare Of the people, and, in their
tendency and direction, consplre 10 war upon
the very integrity of the constitution.
Virginia, Mr. President has no cause of hostility
against thu colored people who in large part com
pose her population, They are no more aesponsl-
Die for thuif freedom than for their presence there
They We're invested vita the rights OF citizenship