The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-12
FEDERAL INTERFERENCE
Il ATIORNEY-GENERd HARMON RI
Plies 10 Mr.. BRYAN.
The Reign OF Law and order OF Lawless-
Daniels Resolutions Quoted.


pcy-Goncgal Julson Harmon to-day raads
public his views respecting the political
situation. especially emphasizing his opin-
ion on tho question OF Federal interier-
orncc in local affairs. on which subject the
Auoney-Goncral does not agree with the
protest embodied IN The Chicago platform.
1lr. Harnons communication is as fol-
lows.
81 have concluded TO give a public am
swor TO the many enquiries made OF me
upon subject OF grcat moment to which
general attention SIS directed
MIR. Bryan, in his letter accepting the
nomination Tor President 10y the Convex
a7n at caicagO ampalcs the protest
which that convention male IN its plat
form against Federal Interference in local
tcairs. which, strangely enough is not
found !n the platforms OF the other two
conventions, which have also nominated
him.
THE ONLY CONCLUSION.
AS nothing else has been done or pro-
posed TO which they can possibly apply.
those protests were intended and arr
understood 10 bs directed against tho re-
cent action OF the President I'm forcibly
supprcssing riOtous disorders which had
stopped the carriage OF the malls and in
tmetate commerce and We're defying the
civil officers of the United States.
The President took this action not only
without the request but I'm some instances
against the protest Of tho authorities of
tho states. In which the riots occurred.
and Mr.. Bryan. taking section Z. of article
4, Of the Constitution 20 be the law on the
subject. pledges himself against any rcpe-
uuon OF the violation thereof. which his
letter necessarily charges. lie Vindicates
the wisdom Of tho trainers Of the Consi-
FflaHt f.tr. az 80 v.N... IL.
lies are better qualified than the Presi-
dent 10 Judge Of the necessity for Federal
assistance.
TIE PARAMOUNT QUESTION.
This I'm nay judgment Is far more
serious matter than the money question
or any or the other questions now before
the people grave as they I'll are Our
form Of government may survive a wrong
decision OF these questions, and the pe0-
pie may endure for time the evils which
result from false systems OF finance and
taxation. But the President has de-
liberatey disrcgarded the instrument upon
which the Union is founded. by sup
planting tho authority of a sovereign
State by armed forces, a precedent has
been made which threatens our form OF
government. While, II a candidate for
President may properly pledge himself IN
advance. as Mt. Bryan has done. 10 do
nothing 20 protect the property maintain
the authority, and enforce the laws OF
the United States, unless and until the
officers Of another government request or
consent. then we really have no Federal
Government; for government which Is
not entirely free 10 use force 20 project
and maintain Itself IN the discharge or its
own proper functions, is no government
40 an.
..The second provision Of the Constitution
10 which Mr.. Bryan refers IS as follows
The United States shall guarantee 10
every state in this Union fe9uDhcan
form Of government, and shall protect
.ach Of them against invasion. ana ON
nnpl,caton Of the Legislature. or OF 'ne
Executive (whcn the Legislature cannot
de- couv.ncIl against domestic violence
WHAT IT MEANS.
e,rhis section plainly refers merely 10
.n. ,.r,focfi,a oil tne Stat S against inter-
ference with their authority laws, or
rronertv by domestic violence, ana hey
are wisely made the sole JUDGES Whc'hei
AND when they need such protection Mt
BRYAN letrays a consciousness OF lne
limited operation of this provision IN the
exure-slon. Federal assistance, II 'he
clause j have quoted Iut hy the express
terms OF the Constitution a state mas
uolnlne 90 do with the maintenance OF TIC
Authority or the execution oI ue laws o-
the United States within tho territory OF
the State. The prevention and punish-
mont OF offences connected with mails,
with Interstate commerce, and with the
administration OF justice in the FEDERAL
courts, are committed. 10 the general
government and that alone. such of
fences in nowise menace the government
Of tie State within which they are COM
-1ittod Therefore the State cannot re-
ouire protection against them. The state
has no duties 10 discharge Ia these mat
tiers. Therefore Il can require no Federal
assistance with respect % them. ot
course domestic violence often. as in the
recent riots is directed against both
state and FCd RAJ authority lndiscrimi-
natcly so that either or both may sup
press it. And in such cases the action
Of each In maintaining its own authority
over the subjects committed 70 81. tends
to aid tho other. But n such cases each
s. acting in its own Independent rieht as
sovereign government. and on its own
behalf
AN ABSURD CLAIM
1T Wculd bc as absurd 10 oniw That the
lntci states must neelc7t ifs OWu in-
terests because ir projecting them those
OF state may Doe Incidentally protected.
as % claim that "a State must let riot
run free hccotso Il happens 20 bc directed
against Fedt rHl RIGHTS or officers as well
az its own. This would limi. ana helittle
the efVfrCgnty Of both roverlue I'M
perium in Cmprou would De false
According 20 Mr. Bryan. 'h-re is some
where implied in the Constitution. FOR 30
II nowhere e,pres .td "a prohibition az
the use or force ly the United States
against persons who within the limits
OF State. may he success fully resisting
its officers ard completely Daraiyziue ail
Us Saeisuons as fo',rnment' unless