The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-10-31
The Force Bill Alive.


Major Mckinley, the latter gentleman in
formed him that it was the purpose Of the
republicans to pass the Force bill through
the next Congress.
The enunciation of such n policy, coming
from so high an authority as the cx-chair-
man of the WAYS and means committee, may
he regarded as conclusive, so far as the
leaders of the lower house are concerned.
1t is well for the democracy to understand
this fact. Major Mckinley unquestion-
ably knew what he was talking about.
He knew the dominant sentiment of his
party. and he was well informed in regard
to the settled plans of its leaders.
The Force bill cannot, therefore, be con-
sidcrcd dead issue. 1t will certainly
come up in the next Congress-; and, should
the republicans secure large. majority in
the House. the Senate will weaken in its
opposition to the measure, after what will
be regarded as so decided an expression OF
public sentiment, and we shall have this
infamous partisan measure thrust upon us.
Readers of the Posi- are familiar with
the provisions of the bill, and it is need
less TO analyzc it in detail. 1t is sufficient
that it revolutionizcs our system of cleo
tions: that it makes the Federal govern
mcnt the judge-almost the sole judge-of
the returns. introducing a practice which
tends to subordinate the State authority
and to deprive those States where it is ap-
piled Of functions which they have exer-
cised for over one hundred years and of
which the Constitution never contem-
plated they should he deprived except when
u State refuses to elect representatives to
Congress or when it was impossible to do
so because of foreign invasion or other
cause.
None of these contingencies have arisen
or are likely to arise. No one familiar
with the Constitution will claim that the
conditions under which its trainers in
tended this power should he exercised by
Congress, now exist. They cannot claim
that there is remote probability that
they will exist. The purpose of the rcpub-
lican party, therefore, involves wanton
invasion of the duties of the various
States, an impudent interference in their
affairs and dangerous attempt at CELL
tralization.
The cost of executing the law will he
enormous 1t is variouly estimated that
a single election under it will involve the
expenditure of from ten to fifteen millions
ofdoilars. But, though the imposition of
so needless Il burden upon the taxpayers
would he an outrage, this is by no means
the least evil that would result from so
reckless and pcrilous an experiment. The
ruthless violation Of the spirit of the Con-
stitution, the disregard of the peace and
prosperity of large section of the cOun-
try, the mean and atrocious partisan pur-
pose ut the bottom of it, all combine to
render the measure both odous and
alarming.
Its effect upon the South-against which
il is aimed-will he disastrous in the ex
treme 1t will not only have Il tendency
to check the investment of capital and
obstruct the present industrial movement
which is enriching the entire section, but
it will, in all probability, precipitate con-
Aict of races, the horrors Of which one
breads to contemplate.
For II baud of desperate politicians to
destroy the peace and prosperity of vast
number of their cOuntrymcn and to wall
tonly arouse hostilities that must result
in bloodshed, furnishes one Of the most
atrocious conspiracies known to modern
partisanship. Nor are these knaves all
fools They know that the result of the
conflict which they propose TO precipitatc
must prove disastrous to the very class
and color they pretend they would shield.
Nothing so clearly discloscs the hypocrisy
and depravity of the Northern republican
leaders. Nothing better illustrates the
deceptions by which they have hoodwinked
the fanatics of their own section. They
conferred the right of suffrage on the negro
in order to perpetuate their power and
increase their capahility for plumber. They
haze in Il measure failed in this cxpedi-
ent. and tl;ey are nos ready to sacrifice
the innocent instruments of their conspir-
acies because of the Inadequate service
they have rendered. They would drive an
inferior race into an unequal conflict with
superior race, with the bare nope that
the sympathy aroused by the conflict may
strengthen those who precipitated it.
There must needs be many "optragcs" in
one section; and the purpose is to make
them the pretexts for partisan triumphs
Z in anofhcr.
The posr is not and never intends to be
partisan newspaper. Bait it feels tits
luts to expose and denounec the mean
hypocrisy and base methods of the cuff
Throat crew Of pirates that seem now to
has aequired asccndancs over the repub-
liean party Meme but the blacklist hearts
and most corrupt minds could haze con-
cocs4d : conspiracy 50 uapatriotIc aud