The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-08
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as with everything else. 1t ends
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THE CONSTITUTION.

The Constitution stil has its cham
pionS. Notable among these are Judge
Judson Harmon and Judge Roger A.
Pryor. In a recent article Judge iar-
mon says that the supreme authority
resides in the people, who have SEEM
insly esta hlished the mode aud manner
in which alone their Will is II be made
known; they have with -he utmost
care and elaboration decided to invest
the Federal government with certain
powers. and their respective State gov
ernments with other powers; all pow
ers not so granted they have chosen t.,
retain until they think best to grant
more. And he serves notice upon those
who would assume to be guardians of
the people that when the people wish
the Constitution changed they will sure
ly change it themselves, as they have
always done, but will take the time and
use the elaboration they have them
selves provided to guard against iusty
and inconsderate action.
Judge Pryor, in discussing the same
subject points out that it is ordained
by article ten of the Federal Constitu-
ton that the powers not delegated 10
the United States by the Constitution
nor pre- -empted by them to tile State
are reserved TO the States respectively
powers thus reserved to- the States"
he goes on. ARE state rights, intended
by courts and lawyers in the discus
sion of the subject. Whatever power
Is not delegated to the United States.
Or denied to the States, is State
right, and to ascertain what are state
rights we have only to ascertain by
reference to the Constitution what
powers ara not delegated to the United
States or denied to the States
Time was when such declarations as
these would have sesmed appropriate
students. The principles are now seri-
ously restated in reply to a new doc
trine, emanating from Washington. 1t
would appear from this new dispense
ton that the doctrine of State rights
is "effete"; that the various States are
nation, and that their power is alb
sorbed in that of the general govern
nient, or should be. But in fact, the
very existence of the republic depends
upon tho maintenance Of State rights
not only in theory but in practice. "A
strict observance and enforcement o!
State rights" says Judge Pryor, Is
indispensable TO the integrity Of til,
Union, For such is the diversity o
interest over this vast country that
uniform policy prescribed by the cen
trail government must be fatal to In
welfare of different localities, TO avoi,
which no recourse but secession tron
the Union would be left to the op
pressed communities''
We are as set young nation bu
not too young TO have made our test
and 10 have established some thing
which are good, We know that GU
original form of government is the hes
for this republic. 1t has served us /
all emergencies, and II viii continu
TO serve US so long as We preserve
in Its integrity State rights NEAR
local government, and local governmer
is the very essence and genius
democracy
The modern doctrinarea may SEQ
but the true friends OF the republic
the nation If you prefer are those wi
arc jealous for the reserved rights
8 tiae States and who resist ali uncpnst
tutional encoachments / Is In tn
spirit thar the Southern States are r
sisting The injunctions OF the FEEDER
courts in the railroad cases They
not mean to defy the Constitutionith
mean 10 uphold II, And in 80 dol
they are performing patriotic servic,
--a=-s-1=sS@--g-a.-SS=-..==.
Mn. nockEFELLEWs NEW NM
Mr John =. Rockefeller appears
be worrying less Than some OF I
newspapers over the big fine impos
nn Tie Standard oil Company /,
Rockefeller quit worrying fourlc
I. years ages when he quit business a
B turned his attention 10 his heal