The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-12

difference under our double form of gov
ernment, an essential principle of which
is partition of powers to be exercised
independently over the same territory.
This sovereign right of the Uni ted
States necessarily follows its officers and
agents everywhere they go, protecting
and maintaining them in the discharge of
their duties. Congress has accordingly,
by section 1897 of the Revised Statutes,
authorized the President to use armed
forces of the government in aid of State
authorities when requested by them, as
provided in the constitution, and has also
by the following section, 529S, authorized
him to employ such forces upon his own
Judgment alone, against unlawful OBJ
structions, combinations or assemblages
OF persons, in whatever State or territory
thereof the laws of the United States
may be torcibly opposed or the execution
thereof forcibly obstructed.'
1t was under the power conferred by
the section last named that the late re-
bellion was suppressed. Mr.. Bryan's
doctrine that this law is unconstitutional
is more dangerous than that of secession;
the latter Mt least left the government
some power and authority in the terri
tory of the States which should choose to
remain. Mr.. Bryan would reduce il to
idle mimicry of the stage.
1T was no more intended to make the
general government dependent upon the
States with respect to the matters COM
United to it than to make the States sub
Ject to the general government with
respect to the rights reserved to them.
AS the general government is author
lzeu to maintain q regular army and
navy, which the States cannot do, and as
the militia of all the States is subject to
the direct call of the President, it was
natural that the States should be made to
call on 1T for aid against violence, but
there was no reason why it should call or
walt on them for protection to itself
what L have said is we'll known to
lawyers and students of the constitution.
1t is chiefly intended for the people at
large before whom the subject has now
been brought.
~ Will recall in this connection the fol-
lowlrg resolution, proposed by the Hon.
John w. Daniel, of Virginia, who was
president of the convention which nomi-
mated Mr.. Bryan, which was passed by
the Senate July II, 1894 Congressional
Record, page 0663), without apparent dis
sent:
Resolved That the Senate endorses
the prompt and vigorous methods
adopted by the President of the United
States and the members of hisssadminis-
tration to repulse and repress, by mill
vary lorce, Gne interference OF laWleSS
men with the due process of the laws of
the United States, and with the trans
portation of the mails of the United
States and with commerce among the
States.
''The action of the President and his
administration has the full sympathy
and support of the law-abiding masses of
the people of the United States, and he
VIII be supported by all departments of
the Governments and by the power and
resources of the entire nation.
1T must be that Mr.. Bryan, amid the
many demands on his time and attention.
has fallen into an inadvertence / cannot
believe that he really thinks the Presi-
dent has no power under the constitution
and laws to maintain the governments en-
trusted to his charge. Nor can believe
that Mr. Bryan means to promise, or to
make or permit others to think he has
promised, not to interfere if he should be
elected and the situation of the riots of
1871 should arise during his term I will
not lightly question either his knowledge
rs a lawyer or his sincerity of a public
man. Certainly his letter is generally
misunderstood unless it means either
that Mr.. Bryan thinks the President has
no power, or that he would himself not
use it if elected