Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-06-28
Menace to the Republic.

The democratic mem bers in Congress from
Northern States have Issued al address to
the country protesting against the proposed
national election law and calling attention
to the extraordinary, dangerous and reyo-
lu.ionary measure low proposed by the
leaders of the party in power for passage in
the House of Representatives. The address
saws: "Under doubtful construction of the
constitution this bill proposes to substar-
tislly take from the States and local author
itiescontrol of all elections at which members
of Congress are bslloted for, and hand the
same over to the United States judges, ep.
pointed to Office for life. and chief supervi-
sors of elections 4 x < This
bill is purely partisan measure, intended
primarily to control the elections for Con-
gress and presidential electors in all the
States and to intimidate, hound, obstruct
and hsrass by political prosecutions In M
friendly hands the adverse majorities In the
cities of the North. To this end il gives to
the control of the chiefsupervisor reflections
body of federal police spies who are au-
thorizsd to make domiciliary visits, super-
intend the naturalization of our foreign-oorn
citizens, place the citiz?ns under strict scru.
tiny of these ''trusty" aud unprincip!ed fed
eral detectives for days, both preceding and
following an election, and ID every way
subject him to the power and control OF paid
party mercenares of the government in
gay at utter variance with republican insti-
tutious and the great principle OF American
| freedom-home rule.
TO carry on this scheme OF imperial gov.
eminent millions of dollars will be taxed
from our people and the judiciary of the
United States prosttuted to the basest PAL
F; tisanship in the management Of elections.
And these invasions of the liberties of our
people will be left for safety to partisan ju-
| ries in the federal courts, composed entirely
| of the men of the party in power.
The power of Congress to regulate the
elections is discussed at length, and it IL
held that if The States have performed their
duty and exercised the general power OF
regulation, the contingency upon which
congressional action depends will not
have occurred. In case State shall have
neglected to enact laws for the election OF
congressman by it's own people, or shall
have enacted laHs in hostility to The genes
al government, either to deprive its people
of representation in Congress or TO prevent
that right from being exercised in reason
! able manner at proper times, then Congress
ia permitted to intervene and TO establish
regulations which will secure representation
to the people of such States.
What was given to Congress as the law
making power OF government In this cass
was defensive power against State hostili
ty or negligence by which popular represen
tation would fail, and the necessary power
of the federal government would be Impair
ed or paralyZ5d for g want of representation
| ia the House.
The letter concluGes Without consider
ing the question upon the construction OF
this provision ofthe Constitution which has
b3en heretofore debated in Congress and
considered by commentators upon constitu-
tional law relating to the manner and ex-
tent to which Congress may act 10 case OF
State default or hostile action, we are pre-
pared to say that the bill is plainly uncon-
itutional, because the States have not fail
to pass laws for the representation OF
their people in Congress, nor made laws hos
tile to such representation and to the gov
errment of the United States in connection
Herewith. On the contrary, their legisa-
ton upon this subject by the States has been
apparently enacted In good faith to this gov
eminent and to the people.
In view Of the great danger to the rights
aud liberties of the people, and to the pfin-
ciple of local sef-governmeut involved in
this bill, We respectfully appeal to Ameri
can freemer, without regard to party, to
enter timely protest, by way OF public meet
ing or otherwise against this consolidation Of
government, the destruction of popular
rights, and the very foundation of Ameri
can liberty, for we indulge in no mere rhe.
torca flourish when we soiemly affirm, on
our loyalty as citizens and on our honor as
Representatives, that this vicious and I'M
patriotic measure is most serious menace
10 the very life OF the republic.
This Issue is: Shall political party elect
itself and keep in power by paid agents who
are to control the political elections in oil
the States ?"
MIR. Vaux's Speech.