Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-04-25
FOR STATE RIGHTS
DEMOCRATIC PARTY ALWAYS
RIGHT ON THE QUESTION.
Present Republican Policy Of coneen'
trating Power at Washington Is
Contrary to the Spirit Of
the Constitution.

The Democratic demand for state
rights and home rule is no 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 were at
tempting to overthrow the rights OF
the states on the all-absorbing slav-
cry issue, the Republican national
| platform replied to the charge by re-
solving:
THAT the maintenance inviolate OF
the rights of the states and especially
the right of each state to order and
control it's own domestic institutions
according to its own judgment, ex-
clusively, is essential to that balance
Of power on which the perfection and
endurance of our 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
prevailed, for the Democratic declara'
ton in 1875 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 that year acknowl
j., 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 national duties; but the states
, have reserved rights which should be
, faithfully maintained; each should Dt
guarded with jealous care; so tina
the harmony of our system of govern
, ment may be preserved and the uniol
kept i%nviolate." Since 1884 no declar
l alton has been made by the Republic
Z an national conventions OF the ques
i ton of state rights, but as the Re
4 publican party through its leaders j
trying with all its might to concer
q trate all political power at Washing
ton and ignore the reserved rights O
the states, the question of home rul
will be so paramount in 1908 tina
q even the party of notification cannc
ignore it. Such are Republican creed
n and doctrines on this important sui
It iect.
4 The Democratic party will in tn
q future as in the past, declare for HON
q rule and the powers reserved to tn
!, states or to the people nc prohibite
n to them by the constitution and tn
I rights therein enumerated shall nc
n be construed to deny or disparag
others retained by the people. Sue
h are the constitutional bonds that bin
the federal government, the state
d and the people, and are always e,
pressed or implied in Democrat
n creeds and are unalterable until tn
constitution shall be amended.