Year: 1879

Mr. hayes mas maze OlreCG issue against
the doctrine of State rights, and in favor of
increasing and centralizing power in the
hands of the government at Washington.
The duty of subordinating the authority of
the States to that of the general government
is the burden of his second veto message,
and because the bill preventing the use of
troops at the polls proposed to restore to the
States the privilege they had exercised un-
questioned for three-quarters of century,
it met his disapproval. The issue is there
fore made between government of the peo-
pie and central despotism, constantly en-
croaching upon private and corporate rights.
The Democratic party can afford to accept
the issue, and to fight it out on that line if
it takes all eternity. They will stand upon
the constitution of the Union and the laws
passed in accordance with it, but will not
consent to accord to the executive the power
to dictate to the legislative branch on mat
ters of such grave concern.


Mr.. Hayes assumes it to be his duty to
vindicate the right of the general govern
ment to control elections for representatives
in Congress. In what article of the consti-
tuition does he find that power conferred?
We have been unable to find it, but in
stead find provision which declares
that "the powers not delegated to the United
States by the constitution, nor prohibited by
it to the States. are reserved to the States
respectively or to the people, AS the con-
stitution does not delegate this power to
hold and control elections to the general
government, the inference from the language
quoted is that that power is reserved to the
States.


We presume it makes little difference by
what authority elections are controlled, pro-
vided they are conducted honestly. But We
hold to the opinion that they cannot be hon
estly conducted by the general government.
The interests of whatever party may be in
power at Washington will inevitably over
balance the interests of the people, and all
manner of frauds will be committed and
sustained. The supervisors of elections law
affords means for the intimidation of
voters that will be seized upon by the party
in power, be it Democratic or Republican,
and used to defeat the will of the people.
The States, on the contrary, are competent
to conduct all elections fairly. There are
| always other officers than Congressman
chosen at the elections, and each man upon
the ticket has a direct personal interest in
keeping the ballot pure. If the control is
taken from the local authorities check upon
fraud is removed at once, aud premium
placed on rascality. In ante -bellum days the
elections we're all controlled by the States
but there was no complaint that they were
not conducted honestly. Certainly there il
no reason to suppose that if the same power
was exercised now there would be any change
in the manner of the elections, or that fraut
would be in any way stimulated or encour


aged.


The question of State rights is vital on


to the country. If the general governmen


shall continue to usurp the reserved right


of the several members of the union, it vii


soon be able to crush out all semblance o


free government. The policy of Mr.. Haye
and the Republican party is the policy tina


has been pursued by Bismarck for man
years, and resulted in the formation of


strong German despotism where the peopl


enjoy life and liberty only at the caprice Q


the governing power. 1t will not be long
if the system is continued here, till on
boasted liberty will be thing of traditio
only. State sovereignty over matters ths


concern the States Individually is absolutel
- potism that is now rearing it's head in Wash
= ington.