National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-11-24

1t was a very earnest and really eloquent
plea for states rights that Gov. Gordon, Of
Georgia, delivered as part of his inaugu-
raj address few days ago. Taken as
whole the speech was road.gauge effort,
far above the average Of gubernatorial In
augurals. 1t was pervaded by a spirit OF
genuine nationality-using the term In the
old.school or Jeffersonian Democratic
sense, for jefferson was not whit afraid Of
the word "nation" and employed it re-
peatedly In his state papers.
The notion that state may secede from
the Union having been eliminated from the
theory Of states rights by decision OF the
court Of last resort at AppomattoX, in
1866, there is 70 longer any danger Of ex.
citing sectional animosities by frank and
full discussion of this question. Indeed,
it is best that IL should be discussed, best
that the mutual relations of the states and
the nation, the boundaries OF state author
ity, and the limitations Of the federal
power should be frequently and intelli-
gently canvassed by public men OF all par
ties. To sneer at states' rights is to con-
fess ignorance, and to expose lack OF
patriotic feeling, for the government which
the fathers erected was one OF delegated
powers, and all powers not delegated by
the fundamental law were and are reserved
to the states and the people thereof.
The ablest and most Jealous expounders
and defenders Estates rights in these days
are not found In South Carolina or any
where else In the south, but in the small
states Of the east. Republican senators
from .,lE Neg Observation-Disclosures amnEE qbndig8lsy
have done much more to defend the rights
Of the states, and to repel any attempt OF
The central power to go beyond its limits,
than all the senators from the solidly Dem.
ocrOtic south. In fact there are number
of distinguished southern statesmen who
have discovered degree OF elasticity In the
general welfare" clause Of the constitution
that no northern statesman Of good reputC
has ever protested to find therein. When
the south turned from the grave Of the lost
cause and began to 'rally round the flag
boys" It came with a voracious appetite
and 1t has offered very few impedlments tc
the establishment OF the paternal sys
ten. 1t has, as rule, been quite will
ing that the central government should ac
the part Of father, mother, and rich old
bachelor uncle to each and all Of the south
ern states.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, does not re-
gret that Gov. Gordon has uttered protes
against Capitalization, for, although the
paternal plan has some advantages, in tha
1t is often better that one power should d.
ia all the states those things which eacl
state might do for itself, yet the good olt
way Of the fathers is the way that leads Il
the grand destiny which this nation ought
to achieve.
Almost sixty years ago great Democrats
leader announced that the party in powe
was always the party Of Capitalization, ant
lie was right. No party In power can eve
have enough OF power TO be satisfied.
the limits were removed so as to broader
the field indefinitely, the love of powe
would grow by what IL fed on. 1t woult
be as easy to satisfy coquette with aattery
or a miser with money as to safe the appe
tite Of triumphant party with power. 4
is creditable to Gov. Gordon that he seel
the effect of taste of power on his owr
party, after its long fast, and lifts his voice
in solemn, eloquent warning.