Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-11
Southern Elections.

A fAvorite topic with some OF the Repub-
licsn Journals OF the North Is the PROPOSE
ton 10 place the elections In the southern
States under the control Of Congress. But
the words used in discussing its expedieucy
are numerous compared with the strength
OF the arguments employed. In fact, some OF
our northern Journalistic brethren seem to be
totally obliy.ous Of the fact that there issuch
a thing az the Constitution OF the United
States. or such body-politic as State. Tue
United States Government is In their
opinion ali 10 all, and, having the power thus
10 wrong the south, Is called upon TO eX-
ercise that power in contempt OF the Consti'
tuition and In total disregard Of the decisions
of The Supreme Court % the United States.
Even such paper as the Philadelphia Press
either knows not. or appears to know not,
that the fifteenth amendment operates only
upon states. In commenting upon the dis
orderly proceedings 81 an election held In
Louisiana q few DAYS ago, that paper quotes
the amendment as follows:
"The right Of citizens Of the United states
10 vote shall no, be denied or abridged by
the United states or by any state on account
Of race, color, or previous condition OF serYi-
tude"
Tire reader will see at once that thAt amend
ment does not touch any offence which can
be committed by person. IL is nothing IN
the world but denial Of the right OF state
or Of the United states TO pass any law dis
flsnchi.ing a negro az negro, or a white
man as q white man. &C.. Aud yet our Phila-
delphis contemporary seriously argues as
follows:
Wtis worth while to place this narrative
al an election In Louisiana by The side 81 The
clause in the Constitution relating TO the SUI
frace. IN order that people mAy ask them
selves whether this is nation OF law or OF
rife clubs; whether the Constitution Is
operative in Louisiana, or whether 1t has
been snnuled by Winchester rifles.
II the leaders be this ignorant, what can
be expected Of the ledy Here is Appointment
northern paper, published not mucn more
than hundred miles from the Federal capital,
which quotes an article Of the Constitution
thst every lawyer IN the land knows operates
only upon States as having been violated by
the lawIess Louisisnians who the other day
at a state election scared or tried TO scare the
negroes from the votng-places.
This is not question on which there can
he two opinions. On the contrary, il IS
question which has been adludicated by the
Supreme Court OF the United States. In
The Forum for May thst decision, which
we have repeatedly heretofore cited, is again
restated. Ii was rendered in the CRUIK-
SHANK case reported in the United States
Reports, 542, q seq. The court held that the
new amendments simply protect the negro
from hostile state legislation. "For pro.
lection against attacks upon his person,
property, or liberty by persons he must rely
wholly upon the State courts aud police"
But the language Of the fifteenth amendment
Is so plain aud unmistakabie that 1t defies
argument on the wrong side.
The Chicsgo Tribune is not 50 much in
the dark as our Philadelphia contemporary.
II admits that the Federal Government has
no right to interfere in the local Affairs Of the
s0sthern States, but nevertheless claims the
right OF Congress at all elections Of Federal
officers TO protect the act OF voting, the place
where Il is done. and the man who votes.
Of the Supreme Court in the YARBBOUGH
case. But the Tribune errs in assuming that
presidential electors are Federal officers.
This question, TOO. Is settled by the words Of
the Constitution, which sre o. follows
Zach state shall appoint in such manner
20 tae Legislature thereof may dit ect num-
Ter OF electors equal 10 the whole number
a Senators and Representatives 10 which
the state may be entitled IN the Congress, but
DO senator or Representative, OF person
holding an Office Of profit or trust under the
United Sisies, shall be appointed an eector."
80 Jealous were the fathers Of The republic
OF the powers Of the Federal Goyernm ent
that they would not allow Federal Official OF
even the lowest degree 10 be an elector.
Why not? Because II this were permitted
that government might. through It's officials,
control the election for electors OF President
sud Vice President. And yet we are now
cravely told that that same Federal Govern
ment, not one Of whose servants can be an
eectOr, can empower It's servants TO super
wise the elections Of presidential electors
The claim il preposlerous. The Legislature
OF Virginia could. II it chose, elect all the
electors Of President itself, or il could have
them appointed by the Governor. There
is no limit to its power over this
matter. Each State shall appoint" its
electors 'in such manner as the Legislature
thereof may direct" The Federal Govern
ment must keep "hands of"
Congress has good deal Of power over
the election Of congressman, but this power
was conferred by the original Constitution,
not by the new amendments, not one Of
which touches the subject.