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Show A CONFLICT 0? AUTHORITY. A diapittch from Rhode Island gives ionic information in reference to a recent conflict between the state constabulary con-stabulary and ttr. United States marshal mar-shal in regard to the possession of omc liquor, which it uppoars was in the possession of the state officera and was claimed with a show or threat of force by the United S'atea marshal. The governor of the state being appealed to by the state officers, directed di-rected the liquor to be surrendered rather than to resist tho United States authority, and that the case be taken to the courti fur settlement. The importance im-portance of the case, however, led tho governor to appear before tho legislature ot the state in person and narrate tha f.iiMs in an address, the Hiibstanco of whii:h is, according to the telegram published elsewhere, that the Slate officers hail been illegally and violently interfered with by the federal othauls in the discharge of their duties, and that the per-jiui-.-ion of such interference with, state authority would virtually 'put an end to the atats government, und to its independent rights and powers guaranteed by the constitution constitu-tion of the country. The governor appear to bo quite excited in reference refer-ence to this invasion of state authority, autho-rity, aa he evidently has reason to be, for, if wo understand the question in dispute, the federal marshal has committed com-mitted a very grave offense against a niombcr of tho Union. But is this interlerence with state authority so novel an incident that the governor of Rhode Island should excite himself upon the subject, and ! call the attention of tho country to ;ho violation of the law of the land, is if there were no precedent for such in outrage? For year after year iimilar illegal acts have been committed com-mitted in nearly every southern state, acts enforced by the bayonet and applauded ap-plauded by the p'.uLy in power. We do nul reimjinUr to havo heard the voice of Rhode Inland, either through her guvernor or legislature in opposition oppo-sition to the federal outrages in Louisiana, Louisi-ana, Arkansas and other states.Rhode Island was silent when the president ' sustained Durrell'a midnight order, consigning the people of Louisiana into the hands of the party defeated in an election; it was silent when tho president reconstructed tho legislature legisla-ture of the same state with a regiment regi-ment of toIJers under De Trobriand. We have never heard the protest of her sovereignty uttered against any of the illegal acts committed, by the republican party, with which its record is crowded. Now the tune of little Rhody is changed. A little whisky is seized by u.leral officials,: and the state is in arms. The liberties of the country are in danger. Rhode Island standB erect. Her ox is gored this time! It mattered little what pains and penalties penal-ties were inflicted, or how olten the chains were fastened upon the southern south-ern people, or theirrightsinvadedjbut a New England state must not have her whisky seized with impunity! But this is no laughing matter. It shows that the rights of ene state cannot be trampled upon without affecting af-fecting the rights of every state, and that a government that defies the law in one section is likely to override over-ride it everywhere. Rhode Island is no more sacred than Louisiana, the spirit of lawlessness cannot be restrained by geographical lines, and we havo reached the end of free government, if the people give their sanction to the acts of lawless violence which have been dictitul by partisan motives and cuforeed by tho chief executive of the country during the past few months. Thus the cause oi Lousiana and the cause ol Rhode Island become the caude of the country and of every liberty-loving American. It is to b hoped that the senate ot the United States will call upon the president for a report and an explanation expla-nation in regard to these transactions in Rhode Island. |