The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-08-04


the United States. The Articles OF
Confederation were inadequate for
their purpose. The federated gov
eminent provided by them was not
much more than mere agency for
the legislature of the states and It's
powers were abridged and checked
to such an extent that It could de
clare everything, but do nothing"
Confusion in the administration OF
affairs resulted and external rela-
lions, then OF very significant and
important character, could not be
transacted with system and dispatch,
1t did not take American citizens
long to grasp fully the situation and
to realize the inefficacy OF the exist
ing government, and, finally, through
their representatives, they established
and ordained a constitution for the
United States OF America. State
rights, so far as the nationa' govern.
ment was concerned, was settled then
and there, as subsequent events
proved.
Later on when the slavery ques-
ton agitated the people OF the North
and the South, the question OF state
rights. or state sovereignty, was
again brought to the front, but 1t was
finally settled decisively by strife and
bloodshed in the awful war between
the states; and now we know that the
supreme authority and sovereignty
OF the nation is derived from the
constitution, to which its national
powers were delegated by the states
comprised in the union.
When the constitution was adopted
all rights of the states as independ-
emit nations were surrendered to the
United States. They are soverelgns
within their spheres, but their SOW
ereignty stops short of nationality"
The Articles of Confederation con-
tanned clause expressly stating that
each state retained its sovereignty,
Its freedom and its independence.
Article X of the Constitution says:
THE powers not delegated to the
United States by the constitution, nor
prohibited to 1t by the states, are re-
served to the states respectively, or
to the people,"
While 1t is true that, to superficial
observation, perhaps, this govern
ment is exceedingly complex in Its
federal and state Jurisdiction, yet this
twilight zone" the Democrats en-
deavor to create for campaign pur-
poses Is made out of nothing, is
nothing. In their own spheres the
federal and state laws are expressly
intended for their separate appllca-
lions. Supremacy OF state rights In
their proper spheres were not abro-
gated by the constitution and are not
now under laws made under the au-
thority of and conforming to the con-
stitutlon.
But what Is the position of the
Democracy now headed by Free Sill
yer Bryan upon this question 1t has
dragged out of the cobwebs again Z?
That party endeavors to straddle the
Constitution in order to manufacture
a political issue out of state rights,
and completely fails in the effort.
Even both the state and federal gov
ernments are recognized as possess
ing separate and distinct functions.
But where are the specific facts OF
encroachment upon states rights?
Are they to be found in the soclalis-
tic doctrines not long ago enucleated
by the party's present leader when
he advocated national government
ownership Of all the big properties
In the country that hands could be
laid upon?
The Democrats declare they are
opposed to the GENERALIZATION i'm
piled in these suggestions. now fire.
quently made, that the powers of the
general government should be extend
ed" because they believe that with
Jefferson. Now, If they are in &C
cord with Jefferson, they openly stand
insincere in their utterances. When
Jefferson was president the Demo
cratic party Git was then known as
the Republican party did not fail to
stretch to the utmost all the auhor-
ity the Constitution could be con-
strued 10 be allowed to the executive
and the federal government generally.
The boldest step that was ever taken
by a president of the United States
was by Mr.. Jefferson himself when he
purchased from France, the territory
Of Louisiana without the authority OF
the Congress.
If the Democrats believe in weaker
and less effectual measures for the
prevention of abuses and violations
of federal laws, they have tendency
to oppose a unified governmental
law. Instead of making this Ameri-
can nation stronger and bigger and
keeping 1t in its influential position
among the. nations Of the world so 1t
can extend the benefits OF modern,
civilized government to other peoples
thereby. the Democrats want to tear
it down, make 1t weaker. less power
full and finally have 1t truckle to 9TH
er nations more powerful in world
affairs. They shoY themselves blind
to the proper distinction OF federal