Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-10-04

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by her regular force prevent the infraction
Of the constitution and the hostile invasion
of Michigan. lie essayed in vain thus TO
prevent the contemplated outrage. He
was left TO himself. TO act under the cir
cumstances according 10 his own convc-
tons Of duty. lis official oath was i'm.
pcrative. The provisions ofthe ordinance
equally SO, and after exhausing rcfnOn--
STRANGE. he felt bound to assemble 1.-The
freemen of Michigan, cost what it might, on
the banks of the Maumce, in defence other
territorial limits.
AND is 1T FOR THIS THAT HE is CALLED
: TRAITOR?
True it is that the militia of Ohio did not
appear, but, it is equally true. that after be-
ing mustered they were disbanded and
dismissed 10 their homes -on the timely
assurance given to their Governor, that
Mr.. Mason would be Immediately super
seeded as Secretary of the territory, and &C.
ting Governor Of Michigan. He had gone
TO Toledo as tho legal commander Of the
Michigan militia, a,dsr the 6anner Of The
United States and acith United States arms:
he left there private citizen--boiny dis
missed by the government OF the United
States. for being unwilling to surrender
or compromise Tie rights Of Michigan. G
received his dismissal at the Mauncc camp.
With what Justice, then, is he denounced
is such conduct an evidence of treason to
the poo lie Of Michigan
ss MIR. Mason, when acting governor of the
territory, was bound by his oath, to have
the laws of the United States and ordinan.
: ces of the territory faithfully executed with.
in his executive jurisdiction. The ordi.
nance of the territory, already alluded TO-
not being disapprovcd or repealed by Con.
gress, had all the force within the territory
of an United States law. The exercise Of
jurisdiction by the judiciary of Ohio, north
of the Maumee and within the territory,
would have been an infraction of the ordi-
nance, and when that infracton was open.
1y and officially threatened by the Ohio Ex-
ecutve to be maintained by force, and Ie-
gislative appropriations made to meet the
expenditure, the duty of the Executive OF
Michigan was clearly manifest. Had he
.cowardly refused at the time, TO have met
the exigency, and suffered without resis.
tancc,. the illegal possession by Ohio, with
great propriety might his personal and pc.
.liticai foes have accused him of surrender
ing the rights and honor of Michigan.
But Mr.. Mason is charged with VIC ating
the laws, in exercising his official influence,
and distributing money TO the voters at the
polls. The time, place and person, a.
composing the material Of this accusation
are already before tic public. 1t is a
charge, if true, of serious import. and should
render any man unworthy OF the public suf
sfrages What are the facts adIuced to
sustain it?
AT the late election for member of Con-
gress in this city, on the second day, while
Mr.. Mason was in front OF the National
Hotel, citizen applied TO him for the TEN
porary loan of dollar, which he mmedi.
ately gratiies. The occurrence was in
open day, and in the presence Of a number
of citizens. A stranger from New York
violently opposed 10 the republican party,
observing the transaction, and ready to
catch at an event, that might be turned to |
the disadvantage of his political opponents, |
designedy writes garblcd narrative of the
affair for publication in his paper at home /:
an extract of which is published in news
paper IN this city. The accusation as
there stated, is at once met by positive |
denial of its truih,-by the solemn affidavit
of the very individual to whom the sum |
was loaned sustained in all respects by the
oaths of two citizens of Detroit, warmly |
opposed to Mr.. Mason's election. On Its
face, it bore he stamp Of falsehool. Had |
such an offence occurred, it is to be sup
posed, that his vgIlant opponents at home,
would have awaited the laps Of weeks, be-
dore giving it in full colors to the public 2
Would they have needed the acrimonious
spur of political partizan abroad Or,
will our citizens for one moment credit, |
that their chief magistrate is so blind 10 his
duty, so reckless Of character, and so igno.
rant of the laws, Jas to bride, by the distrbu-
ton of money in open day, aud in presence
of his adversaries, the free electors of the
state 7 The charge is too ridiculous 10
call for serious refuia'ioa. Yet, it mauifcs;s
the deep malignty with which he is pcrsc.
cuted, and the Infamous length to which
party animosty and thirst for Office will
actuate, when honorable principle is aban-
doned. To every candid mind. prompted
in the formation of opinion by the rule Of
christian charity, circumstances Of mnch
stronger complexion, than adduced, would
have been required TO corroborate even the
suspicion of such charge being ,rue.-
Had Mr.. Mason been disposed, or designed
to have infracted the lawereguating cleo
tons, and 10 have corrupted the purity
of the franchise by bribery, numJsr
Of persons. and not one single elector, and
secrecy, would have distinguished the dis
tribution. But we devouly trust that the
day is far distant in this country, when the
common benevolence between man and
man is to be ostracised, and ccnsure direc.
ted at the honef exercise Of kindness 10
our fellows. In this instance, the indiyidu.
al to whom b,nevolence was extended, had
roted on The first day, and was not the OBJ
ject oithe corrupt purchase of his ballot
1t is not to be regretted, that the sirictest |
scrutiny. is employed in investigating the
public character and qualifications at can
didates for public Office. In a country
where public opinion is power, fair and
honorable efforts TO enlghten the public
mind, are salutary and should ever be Jus.
tilted. A public man is public property
lie especially belongs TO the people. All
that shows him unworthy of public conf.
dence, should be exhibited to thepubc eye.
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