The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-04
pOLIJTC1L CRIMES

The assass'n nation Of Col Clayton In Arkansas
according To indianapolis dispatches, moves rresi.
dent Harrison 10 words OF just indignation. II Is
10 be hoped that he will also find for the exist
ing state Of things at the South remedy
or preventive which he can recommend to
Republican Congress, aud which, when
adopted, will prove OF practical efficiency, The
great difficulty Of the problem Is not overlooked.
Sensible men are aware that the most stringent and
high sounding measures would probably be- Of the
leis, efficiency. hut unless something can be done
TO uphold government Of the people In certain
Southern states respect for the law and for dccs.
ions Of the majority will presently cease, even In
many Northern communities -NcU York Tribune
In the editorial OF which the above Is
only a part our contemporary has never a
word TO say about Dudley and his blocks
Of Eve. For that would never do II
would be bringing political crimes home
TO the political household Of the President
elect, and might start him TO thinking
about the frauds perpetrated in Indiana
by which, Notwithstanding that the Demo.
Gratis made gains Of four Congressman,
Cleveland was defeated, aud he received
the electoral aud popular majority Of that
State last November The Tribune has
nothing TO say about Dudley, nor
about the bare-iacod frauds in New York
by which Cleveland lost the State, not
withstsnding Hill was reelected Governor
by handsome majority. Whom Mr.. lIar-
rison comes to consider political crimes
these should be recalled 10 his attention.
But coming down 10 his duty rs President
What can he 10 in such matters? by what
law or section Of the Constitution can lac, as
President, intorposc thecNecutiyc authority
In the electoral affairs Of anv OF the States
As shrowd q statesman ~ John Sherman
has declared that the Federal Government
annot 20 any farther than existing laws
- 10 Federal 81 ctions will permit
But even these are q usurpation OF the soy
'rcign function Of each State 10 control
MI elections within their borders, no matter
.or what officers or representatives. Mem.
pcr Of Congress are the delegated repre-.
Of the States. the servants Of
lac States, and until the civil war were
elected nj such times aud in such order rs
lac State Legislatures empowered. The
lain to Federal interference was SGT up
- part Of the reconstruction machinery,
nd Is by a reasonable construction Of this
constitution unconstitutional. Much OF
what The Tribune brands ~ political
crime ut the South Ia result Of this
usurpaiion Of the Snto's authority by the
Federal Government la State elections
there il never any trouble at tho South.
Both races got along amiclbly. aud ~
In Criltcnden County AMI Pine Bud, Ark,
Ihc whites aud blacks In many places
igrcc upon a division oi the offices, thus
avoiding even the necessity for purity con-
Ncniions prcsidcnt-clcct Harrison must.
W iar ~ tho South Is concerned. "scant
his excess" aud, looking at these States.
At their people, aud carefully considering
the problem 1t is thcin To solve, patriotic.
ally resolve 10 bo hands oil aud leave them
To manage their affairs In their own way
aud according 10 their hest lights. The great
majority Of the people Of the South are law
respecting aud scli.rcspccting persons and
are fully conscious Of the duties dcyolying
upon them In the building Of common.
wcalths Of the American Union.