Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-16
SATURDAY MARCH 16. 1880.
Mr.. Harrison.

We have no prejudices against Mr.. HARRI-
BON, when we first read bis inaugural. we
did so In the hope that lie would rise above
sectioualism and partlssnship, and prove
himself 10 be President OF all OF the United
States: aud when we came across that pas
sage in which he declsred that he had re-
iected the suggestion that be should have
sectional policy, we were reioiced, and
read the passage aloud TO friends SIT
ting nesr; but when we had proceed
ed little further in our reading,
we realized that Mr. HARRISON bad
no kindly feelings for the southern people.
AS the Lynchburg News said, his inaugural
was characterized by "slnlstcr suggestions"
and bore evidence in the very words en-
ployed in IT that he was "suppressing his In
dignation" when he spoke with iceberg cold
ness in favor OF extending the control OF the
Federal Government over the congressional
elections in the several States.
Tho Constitution and the Government are
hundred years old, and congressman have
ell this time been elected under the laws OF
the several States. Mr.. HARRISON, like man
lust awakened from dream, and as II for
whole century the fathers OF the republic
and their successors had neglected duty
imposed by the Constitution, says stealthilY
and deceptiously, "The national Congress
has not AS YET taken control" OF the con-
gressionaI elections in the several States
As wti" lie glides along for few mo-
meats and frames few more phrases
OF dubious meaning. snd finally startles
biz readers by declaring that "no poloer
yesttd in Congress or The EIsc1tire" TO Sc
cure or perpetuate the freedom OF the ballot
should remain unused upon occasion. That
is, the President and Congress must turn
over the control OF the congressional cleo
tons In the South 10 The Republican party
How could we help warning our people OF
the danger which threatened them; How
could we hold our peace when the President
OF the United States thus proposed to put
ii into the power OF the psrtY IN control Of
the Government to perpetuate their rule in
definitely
Look how the President has proved orr
construction Of HIS inaugural to be the true
one. The sixteen southern states have not
a single representative in = Cabinet OF eight
persons, though their population entities
them to two fifth Of those placesl Instead
OF having three members Of the Cabinet, the
South has not One. Mr.. CLEVELAND gave
her three out OF seven-Nir. HARRISON gives
her none out Of eight. Mr.. CLEVELAND ten
dered to us in Virginia the missions TO
Madrid, Rome. BogOta. &C., &c. CURRY, hEI'
LEY, MAURY, WITHERs, WINGFTELD are among
the VirgInians honored by q Democratic
President Where are the Virginia names
the southern names-amougst the names
sent to the Senate by Mr.. HARRISON?
This article was called forth by commu-
nicstion In Republican paper charging us
with having done injustice TO Mr.. HARRISON
IN our first comments upon his inaugural.
The author Of that communication writes As
IL be supposed that our readers had never
seen the Presidents Inaugural; but surely
he mast know that the inaugural was in the
same issue OF the Dispatch which contained
the comments upon il. Nevertheless, we will
again quote Mr.. HARmsoN's own words.
He SAYS:
1.-THE national Congress has not as yet taken
control of elections IN that case over which
the Constitution gives II jurisdiction; but
has accepted and adopted the election laws
OF the several States, provided penalties for
their violation. and a method OF supervision.
Only the ineficieucy Of the State laws, or an
unfair or partisan administration OF them,
could suggest departure from this policy.
IL was clearly. however, in the c0nlempIa.
ton OF the trainers OF the Constitution that
such an exigency might arise, and provision
was wisely made for 1t. The freedom OF the
ballot Is condition OF our national life.
and no power vested In Congress or in the
Executive TO secure or perpetuate II should
remain unused upon occasion. The people
Of all tue congressional districts have an
eqral interest that the election in each shall
truly express the views aud wishes OF II ma
iority OF the qualified electors residing
within IT. The results OF such elections are
not local, and the insistence OF electors re-
siding in other districts that they shall be
pure and free does not SAVIOR OF imperti'
nence."
II that advice be followed grand central
desponsm will result. The work OF the
fathers OF the republic will be destroyed.
Free government will become 4 soofhug aud
by.word. Liberty will exist not even for
~