The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-07
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS
OF STATE AND NATION
Question of Supremacy Discussed in q
Communication to The Times.
To the Editor Of The Times.

To the Editor Of The Times
The simplicity Of the structure OF our
Government. the attitude OF the state
toward the nation. together with the
harmony OF their operation. should leave
no room for Observation-Disclosures or oues-
tion.
IL Is only when someone exhibits we'll
worn sectionaIism that we hear any
thing about state rights" on the one
hand, or "paternalism." and the su-
prerne power OF the nation over the
State on the other.
The latter is generally said in a
spirit OF dictatoriaI Importance. equally
as un-American as is the supremacy %
either State or nation.
That the state has powers and rights
and is in the daily exercise OF them none
can deny-rights that the General Gov
eminent has no civil power 70 ignore
or override. That the General Govern
ment. composed OF the States and receiv-
ing fits power and authority from them
has a higher and broader field OF iuris-
diction than any one or any minority
action OF the States none can successful
ly deny.
An observance OF these truths. crys-
tallized as they are in our national Con-
stitution. makes that equilibrium and
harmony in the body-politic we are wont
to Justly describe as the best govern
ment on earth"
When a President is elected f. is done
by the exercise Of the fundamental pow
ers residuary in the States. Incorporated
into and expressed in the national
charter. The United States Senator f.
elected and sent by the same corporate
State authority as her representative
at the national seat OF government
The rights OF the States are funda-
mental: those Of the General Govern
ment are formative. alterable AT the will
OF the States the Constitution is the
Outgrowth OF their will and wisdom. and
subject 70 their reformation. The
State and nation not only have distinct
rights. but separate and corresponding
spheres Of action. as their wise franz
ers intended. and both are necessary to-
our unapproachable plan and harmony
OF government
Mr.. Blaine. as Secretary Of state ex-
pressed 20 the italian minister. Baron
Fava. the true system OF our plan Of
government IN reference to the trials
Of the lynchers OF italian subjects al
New Orleans. inform -ng him that the
General Government had no civil power
10 interfere with the proceedings Of the
State OF louisiana
At as late date as February s. Sec
rotary Root commits himself to a like
opinion OF State rights, before the Union
League OF New York. as TO the certain
exercise Of the States prerogative. He
says
Three amendments were added to the 4
Constitution and fear that we will have /
TO face the conclusion that the expert (
ment has failed The suffrage has been /
taken from the negro. and. in many OF I
the Southern States, the black man no .
longer has the right TO suffrage"
The negro under the Constitution Ger
tainIy had the right 10 suffrage" until 4
the State by virtue Of its residuary pow
er interviewed 10 take away that right. .
The Union League Club which inspired.
and those responsible for. the amend /
ments OF the Constitution referred 10 \
must have forgotten. II they knew. THAI
The States had never .ceded 10 the Gener-
al Government their fundamental right Il
TO determine the status OF the suffrage
or themselves-each State having differ
INT laws for its adjustment
A corresponding observance of the
spheres OF Jurisdiction on the
part OF the State and the General Gov
srn, results in securing 70 the citizen
no l. e.
ire formed.
The tntermeddling by the individual or
IN attempt at interference by any class
,r combination Of men with the local
,r domestic rights of others. State or
community is the worst OF all crimes
against the general peace. and should
rave no place in that sisterhoOd. which
Constitutes our national pride II is
veil that the biased and sectional raw
ngs OF the over Jealous and seIf-aduI-
TED patriots OF men and societies. have
10 effect upon the even tenor and recip-
oca! relations Of the State and Gov
rnment, and that we are able to LOOK /
pom such as the manifestations Of L. /
orance. bad taste. and self-righteous- a
ess.
II the guns OF OF. last heard ar Ap- {
omattOX, had no power TO disturb The
institutional relations OF the state and .
alton in their operative capacity. much 7
'ss viii the imprisoned misconceptions Z
what constitutes the true patriot and +
erfect citizen or the ilI-fouuded at D
,mpts OF bitterness and hate. to iguo- \
limOusly define a traitor Do
JOHN F. KEY.
Washington. D. c.. March .. 1903