The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-24


the principal cause of it is this legaliZed
system of plumber that is sapping the
health and vicor and life from the body
of the people and supplanting them upon
the body of centralized wealth.
POWER or TIE STATES.
The next issue Of almost equal import
ance with the first relates to the reserved
power Of the States HE Democratic
marty Dledges It's fun obedience to every
article and amendment of the Federal
constitution, and to every law OF Con-
gross passed in pursuance of the powers
derived thercforn.
We claim that the power Of Congress
to legislate upon the subject Of the cleo
tive franchise should not be. exercised IN
less there is either violation by the
State of some provision OF the Federal
constitution or a failure to comply with
it.
The Republican party claims the right
TO invade the jurisdiction of the states.
TO decide for itself whether the laws OF
a particular State are in conformity with
the constitution. and TO leglslate I'D ac-
ccrdance with its construction and de-
cjsion.
We believe tina only when the laws of
a State discriminate "a 10 race Color OF
condition, that Congress has the consll'u-
tional right to interfere. The kepuDHc%h
marty claims that Congress has the right
10 determine upon the question of dis
elimination. and 10 determine upon 1t,
not bv interpreting the laws as they exist,
but bv the results of the election IN
given case or in particular locality. H.
for instance. the election laws OF Virginia
are valid. and not obnoxious TO any pro-
vision of the Federal constitution. ana
nrnnerlv executed under the authority OF
The State, we c.5im that Congress has no
right to annul them. The Rcpubllcah
party insists that it, in partl 'ular con
gresSiOnal district comprising more COZ
ored voters than it does white voters, Il
Republican Congressman Is NOT returned'
that this fact is evidence of dlscrlnlna-
ton; that Congress ought to pass laws
to govern the case. to override the stat
utes of the State; to take hold of its cleo
tion machinery: to reconstruct its local
government. and to bring the SURFACES
of it's citizens under the supervision OF
the Federal authority. This means the
restoration Of carpet-bag rule. the over
throw of local institutions, the prostltu-
ton of the courts. the suspension Of the
writ of habeas corpus, and negro repre-
seutation upon the floor of Congress Tor
the CONSTITUENCIES of Il large number OF
Southern States.
CoLoRED CONSTITUENCIES.
As a lue the colOred constituencies or
the South are satisfied with their present
representatives. Their interests ana
prosperity are so closely allied with the
white race th.t they prefer the represen-
tation they now have TO Il representation
by political Migrants. rs they once had,
who care nothing for them except TO use
them rs stepping to place and
power. Numbers of them do vote ana
would continue TO vote Tor Democratic
representatives, but the Republican
party. in the fanaticism and blind bgo-
trv that distinguishes ii. viii not under
stand or believe that this can possibly be
the case.
Their idea is that the slave was eman-
cipated in order TO become a political
chattel that politically he belongs to
them. that ne must vote out his ransom.
that he has DO right TO make an intel
lectual selection. and that he ought to
be disciplined and educated TO believe
that the white man Of the South is his
mortal foe. prepared to return him to
bondage whenever the opportunity oc-
ours; and that his only plan of safety
and escape is 10 separate himself from
his surroundings and unite with the eX-
tremsts of New England in again fan
ming the flames of sectional hatred and
prejudice. This is the sort Of education
they believe the negro ought 10 receive.
We may talk shout reconciliation, ana
there il reconciliation among the people
but the typical Republican politician
the Chambers and the ingalls, OF the
North and West deteSt the South and us
1,nv Il
from what ! have seen and heard their
rancor and malgnity in that regard has
not abated in the slightest degree.
Now what is to he done and what will
he done about this? Ny opinion is that
the Democracy of the Union will take Il
decided stand upon this issue.
Their forces will be marShaled upon
the floor Of Congress, and the Republican
party will be made TO understand that
the powers of the constitution shall not
be strained that local self-government
must be maintained and respected IN
Virginia as we'll as il is in Massachusetts,
ana that no Southern representative VINO
has been fairly elected in accordance
with the laws of his State shall be de-
prived of the right TO represent his peo-
pie.
This can be done if there is unity of ac--
ZION. ana lHlltl tnan alflh a IL NV ~
this principle it were better TO put the
clog-wheels upon legislation. because the
liberty of the people. the rights of the
States. the safeguards of the constitu-
ton are The most valuable franchises we
possess: if we yield them the Democratic
party surrcndcrs its birth-right; the auto
nomv of the States will become impaired,
and Capitalization will eventually usurp
the place of Il Government of enumerated
powers. | say it in no spirit Of despair
NR. CLEVELAND.
So thought Mr.. Cleveland, who accom-
plshed the splendid work of restoring
millions Of acres IF the public domain
stolen by the great Pacific railroads
from the homestead settlers Of the West;
so thought he when h raised his arm III
behalf of the people suffering under the
burdens Of an unjust and oppressive tax
alton.
He swerved neither TO the right nor to
the left, surrounded by aii sorts of temp
tations, he yielded not m inch; unpnr-
chaseable and unapproachable he stood
against corruption.
When II became question of public
duty lie needed citler the censure of has
friends TCr the criticism Of his foes.
Whatever faults he had were the
faults of an honesst man. He planned
his line of brltle. and with more than
Spartan courage he followed II to the
end