The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-31
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Constitutions
Amendments in Danger.


Amendments in Danger.
TO the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
If there is anything that the Democratic party
is bitterly opposed to, it is the constitutional
check TO their dishonest national supremacy con-
tanned in the fourteenth amendment. So long
that amendment remains unrepealed and
obeyed they cannot. except by fraud, elect
P resident or hold a majority in Congress. For
that reason in 1869 they resorted to all possible
measures-in Indiana breaking the quorum OF
the Leeisature-to compass its defeat In
some States the ratification of this great amend
ment by the Republican Legislatures was the
next year repealed by their Democratic success
sors With the fourteenth amendment repealed,
equal and universal suffrage became to the
Democratic party "a glttering generality" in
capable of enforcement. There is a way
now opening to secure this long desired end, and
that is through the United States Supreme Court.
Four of the nine judges are old men-Wa ate.
Miller. Field and Bradley all over seventy.
Miller nearly seventy fve The next four years
they will all have passed away. Lamar. the
newly appointed justice. is already committed
to the doctrine that these amendments are
binding only by parole of houor'-whatever
that may mean. OF course. that mainly implies
that their ratification was illegal. When the
test comes Lamar would hold that State had
right to withdraw its ratification, and that lndi-
ana's ratification Illegal by reason of the
resignation of the Democratic members before
the Vote He would pay no attention to Sew
adopted by three-fourths of the States
Suppose Justice Miller died, and such a
man as Allen G. Thurman was appointed in his
place. Thurman would take the same view. He
has always claimed with his party that the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments were
never legally adopfed Mr. Cleveland, If
elected. or if the four old men above named
should die before March 4, 1889, would fill their
places with just such men Thurman and
Lamar. The only check that now exists-the
only power that preserves these amendments
ACT q the maiOritv of in
Senate. How unreliable that majority is. is ap-
parent from the votes of Senator Sanford and
ton. How anxious the Democratic party are
get control OF the Senate is witnessed by
sss IN oub our tbot the sao
party could once get control of the Supreme
Court the fourteenth amendment would be
plunged from the Constitution. The fifteenth
amendment might go also. But that does not
contain the obnoxious clause the substance Of
which is that when the voters rights are denied
the States representation shall be correspond
ingly reduced 1t could stand. and the present
frauds would be remedess. as they are the acts
of individuals only, and in such case there is no
remedy under the United States laws. So long
as the fourteenth amendment stands bill to
reduce represen tatiou may at any time pass
both Houses of Congress and become a Law.
That the Democrats. if they once could con-
troll the Supreme Court, whould resort to this
measure is proven by what took place in our
own courts ia 1880 and by the general spirit
and antecedents of the party. The magnitude
of this danger cannot be overstated or can the
Importance of preserving our majority the
United States Senate be overestmated. Once
let the Supreme Court adjuJge the fourteenth
amendment void, because not ratified by three
fourths of the States. and there is no legal OBJ
struction to the United States paying the rebel
debt. or compensating the South for the loss of
their slaves.
Can the Republicans, or. rather. can any self
respecting citizen OF the Northern States afford
to take this risk2 Is it not almost time to cali
mars to the bench of the United States SUI
preme COURT Better a thousand times tn at the
that will occur there remain
untitled a century than take any such chances.
Dakota out of her nights for fear of injuring
their partys prospect. Shall we not in this mat
ter, of a thousand times more consequence, be
upon guardl D. 2. BALDWIN
LoGANSPoRT, Jan. "a 1888.