The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-04

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Democratic party can regain its prestige
and convert defeat into victory by returning
to it's original conceptions Of government
The essence OF State indestructibility Ia per-
petual freedom In the people Of the State to
control and quicken the initial and final &C.
tvities OF State Jurisdiction That initial
activity Of the State Ia the determination
by the people Of each State Of the qualifca-
tions Of State voters for State officers.
Suffrage breathes the breath Of life into
democratic institutions. Any encroach-
ment by the Federal centre OF power upon
the absolute right of each State to qualify
it's own voters In State elections Is destruc-
tive OF the State. State administrative
authority rests solely upon State suffrage
created and prescribed by the State. The
suffrage question is up for thought, and is
the most momentous in American politics.
The domestic sovereignty Of the State de-
ponds upon State control Of it. II the
Federal Government can by fixing State
suffrage fashion and direct the incipient
intelligence OF the State in its own affairs,
the whole system becomes Federal and the
State a phantom.
The Fourte zenith Amendment to the Con-
be not repealed by the fifteenth Amend
ment, cannot be construed to take from the
body Of State powers the right In the State
to control It's own suffrage. The amend
ment itself acknowledges jurisdiction in
the State to qualify State voters. Never
thelees. 1t says to the State. II you do not
allow all male inhabitants over twenty lone
years Of age to vote At State elections, Con-
gress may cut down your representation
in the House Of Representatives.
The philosophy OF the Fourteenth Amend
ment is that while it comedies to the State
full power over the suffrage Of the State
In elections for State officers. yet It says
to the State: Notwithstanding, you have such
power, yet II you exercise that power ac-
cording to your own judgment and dis
erection. the Federal Government may
thereby become displeased with you and
will punish you for contempt by refusing
you equal representation in Congress-
The Fourteenth Amendment, relatin z
to State suffrage, appears to set up in the
Federal Government jurisdiction to punish
the State for exercising it's pow ers in it's
own way. IT, In effect. says TO the State that
II Federal rules are not consulted and obeyed
in qualifying State voters foe State officers,
the Federal Government will establish the
whipping-post for the States which disobey
such rules and will chastise the disobedient
State by cutting down it's Federal influence
The power to set up such discipline Of the
States has not been challenged. but, never
thelees, it does not exist
The power Of the State over its own SUI
frage has always existed. and will continue,
II democracy be faithful to it's first prin.
ciplee, so long as the Union lasts The
limitation in the Federal Constitution OF the
power therein Of amendment, in effect de-
clares that the State is immortal and no
amendment can Lessen it's original domestic
Jurisdiction.
State cannot enjoy equal suffrage in
the Senate unless It live and abide as a
State In order that it may enjoy such suf
frage.
The supreme political question now be-
fore the country is: Can a State exercise
its jurisdiction to exclude ignorance and
shiftlessness from the polls in State cleo
tions. and not be put in the Federal pillory
therefor?
The Democratic party ought to vindicate
the dignity Of the State in this respect.
When this is done the State will be free and
able once more to work out its own destiny
in its own way.
AN AMERICAN DEMOCRAT.
New YORK, May2.