The Elbert County tribune., 1900-02-08

n remedy and n safeguard for liberty.
No sober man Of either party doubts
that the Gocbel law, rs It was en-
pIoyed to aid the Democrats In the
election and is now used by them In
the Legislature. Is perfectly answering
the intention Of ifs author. who meant
to make II impossible for the majority
OF the people to control their state gov
ernmenf, II that majority proved to be
Republican. The majority did prove to
be Republican. The utmost Efforts to
secure certificates OF election for Dem
ocrntic candidates through the fraudu-
lent use OF the law were defeated. The
publican governor was elected, and the
number OF Democrats In the Leglsla-
ture who hold that conviction Is so
large that several members who were
duly elected must be turned out In high
handed violation of law, as one was
on Saturday, before a majority to de-
clare Goebcl elected can be mustered.
In the presence of such crimes
ngainst scIf-govcrnment 1t is always
difficult TO determine how far the letter
OF the law cnn he obeycd without de
stroying its purpose and spirit Moro
than once In the history OF peace low
Ing and free commonwealth II has
been found necessary to resort to arm
ed force to prevent the perversion OF
all law. But every good citizen never
theless realizes that no such step can
ever be taken or tolerated while there
exists any other mode OF preserving
the liberties of the people. Until Ken
tuckians have exhausted all remedies,
and know that nothing but their own
arms can maintain their freedom. they
are under the most sacred obligations
to obey the law, however bnsely con-
trIved and executed for criminal ends.
The constitution OF the United States,
Article w., Section 4, provides that
''the United States shall guarantee to
every state in the Union republican
form OF government" No refining or
pettIfogging can get rid OF the plain
meaning OF these words. No official,
judge or congressman of the United
Stntes can without violation of his
oath, shrink from any duty which the
plain meaning OF the words devolves
upon him. In some form the people OF
Kentucky, who nrc In process OF being
robbed of republican form of gov
ernment, have the right to obtain from
Al. t..f ri ~
In the exercise of their rights us free
citizens OF self-governing state.
1t is not well to attempt here to de-
termine which of the different modes
OF interposItion is most fitting. The
question can be taken to the Supreme
Court of the United States, and that
would be the most natural remedy II
the court, upon entering the case, finds
itself empowered to enjoin all parties
from proceeding further In their project
to overturn free government In Ken
lucky until the question can be con-
sidered by the courts and decided.
But unavoidably that is slow pro-
cess. The Congress of the United
States also has II certain power and
duty. If there is not visible any other
and sufficiently swift and certain mode
of preventing the overthrow of a re-
publican form of government In the
state of Kentucky, Congress cannot
shrink from Its duty in the matter.
Neither can the Executive, II there
prove to be steps which II Is within his
power to take while Congress is In ses-
sion. That he would have large power
for the defense of sef-government In
any state against overthrow were Con-
gress not In session ali are aware. But
1t is enough here TO point out that the
constitution puts plain and solemn
duty somewhere; whether upon the
President or Congress or the Supreme
Court in this case has to be considered.
The good citizens of Kentucky have
right to believe that their liberties will
not be taken from them while the en-
forcement of the constitution is intrust-
ed to those who are now charged with
1t.