Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-05
a Renaissance of states Rights

THERE are growing evidences OF the re-
l nascence OF the doctrine OF States
rights in sections OF the country where in
the years OF the past the doctrine. us in
tcrpreted and contended for almost ex-
ciusively in the South. was secuted as far
fetched theory which interfered with the
closer union OF the States requisite to the
investment OF the general government with
full power to function efficiently in behalf
o: the general welfare Under the grow
ing assaults upon the doctrine the South
has weakened in it's support of the faith Of
the fathers and. pursuing the ignis fatuus
Of some imagined good. has increasingly
consented to the Entertainments OF the gem
eral government intent upon limiting the
authority OF the states in the control of
their own domestic concerns to the exercise
OF Il minimum OF powers.
But. while this has been true OF the gen
eral attitude OF the South in recent years.
there have remained IA faithful few who
have not yieldca- one iota in their conten-
tinn for the maintenance of all OF the rights
OF the States in their full vigor as reserved
to them. respectively, in the original com
pact Of the Union. They have fought the
enemy within the gates on every part of
the grounds with admirable courage and de-
votion. While the citadel once so strongly
defended. has witnessed Il gradual diminu
ton of its strength by assertions into the
opposing camp. they have manned it 10 the
best of their ability and the flag never has
been hauled down. The scriptural admoni-
ton is: Cast thy bread upon the waters for
thou shalt find ii after many days En-
couraged by this promise. they have
preached the faith Of the fathers through all
the years when 1t was steadily losing ground
in its own stronghold. The evils which have
followed the outreaching of the central
government for more power at the expense
OF the States have awakened the conscious
ness OF thoughtful students of government
all over the country to the gathering dan
gers of centralized power at Washington. and
there is manifest tendency TO study anew
the fundamental principles upon which our
government is based. These students of the
times are beginning TO inquire, Whittier are
We drifting? They are alarmed at the d-
rection we are taking. The voice of those
who have steadily upheld the doctrine Of
States rights is being listened to. After
many days the defenders OF the ancient
faith are beginning TO find the bread they
cast upon the waters.
Among numerous others, some of them
more or less conscious in public life in
sections OF the country where the theory
of States rights was little countenanced
Senator Borah, OF Idaho and Governor Mil
Ter. OF New York, both Republicans, recent
~ have made public appeal warning the coun-
Try OF the dangers we are inviting by the
steady innovations we are permitting the
general government 10 make upon the rc-
served rights OF the States They are call
Ing for halt 10 these inroads upon right
inl State authority and warning OF the seri-
Gus consequences that may be expected if
INVASION c
OF respect for the doctrine OF States rights
mas even extended TO the United States Su-
preme Court, as some recent decision. OF that
Tribunal attest. The leavcn is working