The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-15

nxecrt,op thereof or impedes or obstructs
the due course OF Justice under the same.
n shall be lawful for the President, and
II shall be his duty. 10 take such meas
ures. by the employment OF tho militia
or the land and naval forces OF the
United States. or of ether, or by other
means. as he may deem necessary. for the
suppression OF such insurrection. domestic
violence. or combintiOns.
This is part Of the legislation adopted
BY Congress at the end OF the civil
war. and known az the reconstruction
legislation.
Under the original theory OF the Con-
stItution, the United States was never
to interfere In the domestic affairs OF
State, unless the Governor or the Legis-
lature asked for such interference upon
the ground that the domestic troubles
we're so great that the state authorities
were unable 20 deal with them.
A radical change in the whole theory
OF our government was made by the
Fourteenth Amendment TO the Constitu-
ton. adopted after the civil war. when
provided that no State should deprive
any person OF life. liberty or property
without due process OF law. or deny to
any person the equal protection OF inc
laws. and Congress was given power 10
enforce this amendment by appropriate
legislation.
There can be no doubt. therefore, that
the section OF the Revised Statutes OF the
United States quoted is authorized by the
Fourteenth Amendment. and we have no
doubt whatever that the Congress which
nassed IL intended 10 authorize the Presl-
dent TO Interfere in the domestic AFFAIRS
NJ the Southern States in just such
cases as have arisen in South Caroiiha
and North Carolina.
But If Mr.. Mckinley is going to resort
20 these reconstruction acts-o Congress
with the intention Of forcing the WHITES
Of the South TO submit to negro RUE
when the negroes are in the majority
h, .he use of the Federal power then
no e going to reopen the whole queSuoh
Of the force bill, which the country had
sunposed 10 be definitely settled ana
ondod forever at the defst of the last
oe,or, IN PASS 1t through Congress. This
ia a mater which cannot be ignored OF
overlooked. The administration mas
MAINLY placed itself upon the proposiuoh
,hat q will interfere in our domestic
affairs II It thinks proper case mas
arisen. while we of the South MAINTAIN
Tho nroposition that, in spite OF the
Language of the Fourteenth Amendment
and of the acts of Congress passed 10
enforce IT. the country has acquiesceu
&, our claim that the white people are
- rple the South. and that the feueral
c.,.orrr,ent &c not TO interfere with them
IN tbe contests they may have with the
negroes 10 establish their rule.
,rhe South had supposed this question
80 he settled and disposed of forever
put the President evidently thinks other-
Wise we cannot ignore his claim' ana
We must have 1t out with him at once
1s the Republican party has really re-
soIved TO reopen the old force bill ques-
ton. we must understand 1t forth"ith
Free silver, greenbacks, and all othei
issues disappear in face Of this one II
this issue is to be raised agan, theh 'h'
South is solid again.
OF course. if there be in any OF th'
states an Instruction against Govern
ment authority. either State of Federal
| that REQUIRES Federal authority for us
sunnression. no one will have a wore
70 saw against the Presidents using
poderal mower to suppress-the insurrec'
ton. But the South has supposed 'i"'
the contests for race supremacy IN 'n'
Southern States had been conceded p'
tho nation to be domestic difficulties tha'
were to be left TO each locality Tor set
| Element. and if this is not so we snai
have a very rude awakening but
one that we want TO have as soon d
nossible. The matter cannot be LETT il
ito present shape. The South Will never
suhmit TO being ruled by the negro. sh'
may be ruled by bayonets. perhaps Du
| ~, tho nepro-neVer!