The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-01
SCOPE OF FEDERAL POWER.
One of the serious Dangers Threats
encd by the Bryan Platform.

TO the Editor of the indianapolis Journal;
The Chicago Democratic platform con-
tains this clause: we denounce arbitrary
interference by federal authority in local
affairs as a violation of the constitution
of the United States ard n crime against
free institutions The meaning of this IS
plain. 1t is a denunciation of the act of
President Cleveland in sending United
States troops to Chicago in the summer OF
1894 to put an end to an instruction which
had resulted in the obstruction of inter-
state commerce and the stoppage OF the
mails The convention declared ana
meant to declare, that in that great emer-
gency Governor Altgeld was right ana
President Cleveland was wrong. DO patrlot-
ic Democrats who are talking OF Votlng lor
Mr.. BRYAN stop to consider what they are
to approve by their votes? Let me remind
them of a few events in the history OF our
country which illustrate the effect of ths
AltgeId- Bryan policy as contrasted with
it's opposite.
Under the confederation of States which
preceded the ratification of the Consutu-
ton. the federal executive If the term
may be allowed. had no power to cross
State lines and arrest a. man who violated
or refused to obey law enacted by Con-
gress. Such a government Is the perfect
ideal of Altgeld and Bryan. See how adj
Shay got up rebellion in western Massa-
cbusetts for the purpose of abolishins the
courts and driving out the lawyers-an iinl-
tation of Jack Cade's rebellion in Eng
land Governor Bowdoin. of Massachusetts.
couldn't tackle IL successfully; the teperal
authorities were impotent, having no
power under the articles OF confederation 10
interfere so the insurrectionists had their
way for a while terrorizing the people and
ROB w.
Fiske and other historians say that TINS
rebellion. which gave an opJect lesSoh
showing the Importance OF the conteus.h-
ton. had much to do in Fastening the
adoption of our present Constitution.
seerf me right Of the executive 10 cross
State lines and enforce the laws Oh me
makers and consumers of whisky refused
to pay the taxes imposed by law they
seized and imprisoned the United Sta a'h9
went 10 serve the writs of the federal
courts. The Governor of Pennsyivaan an ,,o dld
| not ask for the interference OF the NaJ .;f +
| executive. but federal judge certlned
| that an instruction existed. Nashlhetot.
marched them into the .tenemy's country''
| and the Anarchists of PennsyiNania knuch,,
| led down to Washington. as Altgeld and
| his Anarchists knuckled down to Cleveland.
| 1t is an awful thing for mon OF 3n"I
| chists to fall into the hands OF I'VE TT
| ident They don't care for "A rev ISsl-
| ments of ballroom mitiamen. but theE
] fly like flock of sheep before a squ Ill, %
Tbis fear or respect for national authority
/ is the safeguard of all our dearest rlshtS;;
| Andrew Jackson. enc of the SAINTS ~
| to the wall gave the next OBJECT iS $50.
/ John C. Calhoun said the SOIL OF Soull.
| Carolina was sacred and that tne lS Ss,c,,
| executive had no right ,o go o ,o nojiscted
/ Tackson said IA, would hang Calhoun as
| high as Haman and that by the Ete I
he would see that the ia issi thara Vas NJ,
| can from the Altgelds OF the Southern
/ states for federal troops 10 preNent tile
seizure OF the Nations eliS5oii M soffin
| 20 Kanfrckv PLAYED the Altgeld role ana
said Iinion troops should not cross the St-
cred soil of Kentucky nhless iini' sor s g
i nv, and Magoffln slxeedaddled INTO
III Confederacy He firmly oeleved WIN WIN
i Altgeld and Bryan that TINS 1NAtioh mas
VI at n he understood always that IN mere
Iv local matters. which concern tne stHAe
| and its citizens alone, the federal eS s ~,
mails OF the Nation and the Nation : coh-
merce are INSTRUCTED by local MOP, we
federal power should VISIT 'he iA"oi s'"S'S
with a heavy hand 80,
| question but in nay estimation ~ r. NOT
the paramount question Money, Us -
| Heine saws sis round and rolls away.
n is here there and everywhere. Iherc
| is no patriotism in a mere uussuo. -oA
| money unless il Involves a ques ton OF nj
tional honor. Governmenls s ana ans, Ne
served by blood. When the very foanda-
| fions of our governments are assaiied theIs
Is an appeal TO agnes Nth Sreat force
10 the American voter. who Is asksG 70
| follow the standard Of Bryan and Altgeld
IN their crusade against rs FisHRACK
indianapolis. Sept. %