The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-07-23

as 10 the constitutionality OF an alleged
force bill" in the election OF Congress
men with sufficient vigor and authority in
II to protec the voter In his rights and TO
keep the ballot box from defllement. The
States all have force bills of that char
acter to govern their elections. In Illi-
nois and Indiana within a short time
past the heavy hand OF election laws
seized certain ballot box stuffing Demo
cratic politicians and sufficient force"
was used to lodge them In the peniten-
tiary and keep them there until they were
sufficiently punished for their crimes
az ainst free and equal ballot. Only q
few years ago the people of Chicago de-
cl,red by an overwhelming majority that
there was not force enough in the Illi-
nois election law and demanded one OF
heavier penalties and greater rigor 10
crush out election frauds in this city.
The Federal Government has the same
right as "A State TO protect its elections
and to put into its laws the strength and
force needed TO effect that purpose. In
calculating this matter the Supreme
Court said with great psrspicuity:
The greatest difficulty in coming TO a
just conclusion arises from mistaken
nation with regard to the relations which
subs st between the State and the Nation
overlooked that National CONSTITUTE on
has boon adopted in this country estab-
fishing n real Government therein, oper-
ating upon persons and territory and
things, and which. moreover, is or should
be as dear 10 every American citizen as
the State Government is. Whenever
the true conception of the nature of this
Government Is once conceded. no real
difficulty will arise In the Just interpreta-
ton of it's powers. But if we allow our
selves to regard the National Govern
ment as a hostile organization, opposed
to the proper sovereignty and dignity OF
the Stale Governments, we shall continue
to be vexed with difficulties as to juris-
diction and authority.
This explains the error of the Demo-
cratic partisans who are protesting
against an alleged force bill" for the
protection of Congressional elections
whore the same is needed. 1t con be nc
injury to the States" for the National
Government to supervise national cleo
tions and enforce strict rules to prevent
fraud against the ballot. The States
still will be left free TO conduct their own
elections for all State, county, and mu-
nicipal officers as they may see lit, and in
their own way to deal with elecl ion
frauds as conscience may prompt.
Not interfering then with State laws
or officers in local matters, the Federal
Government h s the undoubted constitu-
tional right 10 see to it, that in the election
of Congressmen who make the nation s
laws, there shall be an honest ballot and
fair count in all parts of the Union. If
the Federal Government lacked the pow
er TO protect its own elections it would
not lie Government at all. 1t would
be merely creature OF sutforance.
Where fraud prevails at the polls the
country is not to be ruled by the people,
but by successful ballot box suffers and
election swindlers. The governing pow
or would not be vested in the majority OF
the lawful voters, but in a criminal class
OF ballot corrupters. Patriotic senti-
ment would be an absurdiiy under q
Government which could not adopt any
needed force bills to protect itself from
election frauds. As the Supreme Court
has said: A real National Government
has been established in this country,
and it has inherently, and of necessity,
as much right to protect its elections as
the States have to guard theirs. Chi
cdgo Tribune.