The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1907-04-27
FOR STATE RIGHTS
DEMOCRATIC PARTY ALWAYS
RIGHT ON THE QUESTION.
Present Republican Policy Of Concen-
trating Power at Washington is
Contrary to the Spirit of
the Constitution.

The Democratic demand for state
rights and home rule is nc new claim.
1t is coequal with the federal govern
ment and is expressly provided for in
the constitution. When the Demo
Gratis claimed in 1860 that the Repub-
lican party and Mr.. Lincoln we're at
tempting to overthrow the rights OF
the states on the al~l-absorbing slav-
cry Issue, the Republican national
platform replied to the charge by re-
solving:
That the maintenance invioJate of
the rights of the states and especially
the right of each state to order and
control its own domestic institutions
according to it's own judgment, ex-
clusively, is essential to that balance
OF power on which the perfection and
endurance Of u political fabric de-
pend"
That was an ultra state right declar-
alton and was quite as strong as any
such from Democratic sources. In
1876 the Republican party had modi-
fed its state rights doctrine and de-
clared:
by the combined workings of the
national and state governments, under
their respective constitutions, the
rights of every citizen are secured at
home and abroad, and the common
welfare promoted" When 1880 ar
rived the Republican party seemed to
regret that the constitution prevented
the overthrow of the reserved rights
of the states, for in the national plat
form of that year it stated as one of
its principles and purposes that:
Some powers are denied to the ma
ton, while others are denied to the
states, but the boundary between the
powers delegated and those reserved
is to be determined by the national
and not by the state tribunal"
In 1884 a more conservative tone
ton in 1876 and 1880 for the principle
of home rule and the rights of the
states had taken firm hold of the
majority Of the people, so the Repub-
lican platform of hat year acknOwl-
edged that the state rights should be
faithfully maintained" the resolution
adopted declared: THE national gov
eminent is supreme within the sphere
of it's pAtional duties; but the states
have reserved rights which should be
faithfully maintained; each should be
guarded with Jealous care; so that
the harmony of our system of govern
ment may be preserved and the union
kept inyiolate." Since 1884 no declar-
alton has been made by the Republic
an national conventions on the ques-
ton of state rights, but as the Re
publican party through its leaders is
trying with all its might to concen-
trate all political power at Washing
ton and ignore the reserved rights of
the states, the question of home rule
will be so paramount in 1908 that
even the party of notification cannot
ignore it. Such are Republican creeds
and doctrines on this important sub
ject.
The Democratic party will in the
future as in the past, declare for home
rule and the powers reserved to the
states or to the people nor prohibited
to them by. the constitution and the
rights therein enumerated shall not
be CONSTRUED to deny or disparage
others retained by the people. Such
are the constitutional bonds that bind
the federal government, the states,
and the. people, and are always ex-
pressed or implied in Democratic
creeds and are unalterable until the
constitution shall be amended.