The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-10
States Rights--The Political
Revolution.

Editor of The Times Dispatch:
Slr.---The doctrine of States rights,
the palladium OF free institutions, is in
imminent danger. Tho Civil War be-
tween the States of this Union struck
States rights" cruel blow. "Salus
popull Supremaest lex" was tho motto
of the conqucrors, and constitutional
safeguards" were swept away like
leaves before the whirlwind. "1ntor
arma leges silent" was another motto.
Many presidents were established
which tore down the bulwarks of the
Federal Constitution. The Republican
party was born In passion; 1t has been
fertilized by the noblest and best
blood of the land; 1t has held wcll-nigh
undisturbed sway and possession OF
this government for almost fifty years,
and. step by step, It's aim has been to
build up a strong national government.
| The second and perhaps the most dead
| ly blow ever given to states rights"
| was tho ELECTORAL Commission" 1t
| Installed an usurper In the presidential
chair and that fatal hour, fear. mark
ed the commencement OF the downfall
| of the American republic Alas! alas!
| no longer from that time could we
| turn to the aegis OF the Constitution
| for protection. Then came another In
cidcntal, but formidable, blow to the
| doctrine of States rights" In the mani
| csion OF the Supreme Court of the
| United States in declaring the Income
tax" to be UNCONSTITUTIONAL This gave
wealth n vantage ground which, alas!
/ fear may prove impregnable. The
| change Of opinion of Mr.. Justice Shiras
made 'between two days" was fraught
with momentous consequences. The
State OF Pennsylvania has the uncnvi-
able distinction OF being the birthplace
OF the Judge who struck the most fatal
4, blow ever delivered against free In
ntitutions. It's effect has been we'll
nigh overwhelming. Tho wholesale
Immigration laws" permitting the IN
PRODUCTION Of the mentally and physi-
cally weak, tho ignorant, the diseased,
the anarchists, the communists, the
stun and refuse Of every cline and
every nation. is lowering the once
high standard Of the American people,
and Incidentally, in this manner, is q
great menace to States rights 1t u
an evil which Is rapidly growing, and
is destined, unless checked, to FIJI our
almshouses and our asylums In such
a manner as to impose grlevous bur-
| den upon our people. Tho power OF
wealth has hitherto been the bane OF
I'LL republics. Shall the inscription II
was but IT is not soon be placed upoI
. the tombstone of the American repub-
lie? This Is n momentous question
which comes home to the heart OF ever,
| lover OF liberty III our CoullIStH w I
had in the great life insurance inyes.
!. tigaton" recently made in New Yori
glance Mt the "Augean stables' o
, corruption In high places. 1T carried
, | wave OF horror to the bosom o
every honest man and woman In on
country, and was enough to we1l-nigl
stagger credulity. Its memory, like ;
t pail still hoyers over our people.
Then came the Beef Trust investiga
ton" the foul stencil of which still
: pervades the land. and, worse than a
n the trusts came out practically vic
torious in the contest With .ne people
. Next In order came tha disclosures G
? the Pennsylvania Railway and tn
sickening array of the details OF IN
action of corrupt railroad officials VIII
used their power and their olhces 10
their own personal gain. me pare re
citals OF their nefaricus acts brings I
" the reader the Involuntary blush
II shame. To all this must be added IN
o odious and infamous system or re
l. bates" on railway freight rates give
,e by the railways, by means OF VINE
al the public have been remorseiessl
A. plundered of sum so great that
is impossible to compute the enormoi
= amount, and 1t Is to me a source
- sorrow to have to state that In II
contest in Congress- the people wei
\ defeated. Our impulsive and wei
re meaning President, tho Honorab
= Theodore Roosevelt, engaged in u
battle with drums beating and colo
~ flying" stating both by pen and tong'
to that he would stand for the rights
70 the people against the corporation
a He met the enemy, and what was q
result? Mons parturit mos nascitul
In ! He was glad to steal away from &
e. field Of battle. leaving the enemy WI
rk the trophies of victory This is
truth of history. Some little good w
4. trs,. tif.
comparison with, his pretensions. I
attempt to make of Senator Chandl
vicamous sacrifice to condone his d
feat does not commend itself to the a
he probation of the public. The Repub
g- can party is in undisputed posscssi
as Of both branches Of the sovernme
lar and must bear the responsibility for
an defeat OF the people in their efforts
,re obtain their rights. The Speaker Of
ere lower house of Congress Is Justly {
~, titled to the encomiums nc has receiN
he from the wealthy corporations of
lon Hand for the obstructive tactics he US
GOT in defeating the will Of the peor
ac- How many "rebates' have been civ
eh,a the Standard OIL Company since
49, commencement of tho year 1907? w
knows? Who can tell? Senator !
drich, the recognized representative
corporations In the United States 81
ua- ate, Is n man of no mean ability
EXERCISES an cNOTIIlOub poWSI ioI Z
ND over tho Legislation of Congress. A
His alas! the great monster corporation,
liar Pennsylvania Railroad, has invaded
tes, domain OF Virginia. 1t has laid
We fearful clutch upon some OF our b
sed and most useful railroad property;
not holds our beautiful city of Richm'
and in u "cul de sac by having the C
his troll of the Richmond, Fredericksb
and and Potomac Railway. 1t can
- doubtless will at some future time
riously cripple it's resources If 1t
deemed necessary in the interest of
railroad. Our Governor has done
Will Is doing his best In the interest of
70 Virginia people. and he can be re
, ,ae on to continue his noble work In
,on- Tense of the rights of the people.
1am recent "Pyrrhus' victory. ! fear, d
not presage future success. Our
ernor is entitled to tho gratitude of
Virginia people and ought to be
VINO held In his efforts to protect our RIG
ro, 20 by every man, woman and child in
oson Commonwealth. TO show the ami