The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-06-05


tempts to corrupt it when extended. Not
believing the people fit for self govern
ment, they will not trust them with pow
or when they can avoid il; and whenev>
or the opportunity presents itself take
from them that which they possess. |
They do not scruple 10 compel their de.
pendants 10 Vole their will, at elections,
instead Of their own, and so as to man.
age their private affairs as to reward or
punIsh more humble men for the surren.
deror assertion OF the right of free suf-
frage. Upon the same principle, they
do pot hesitate to cheat in elections and
cheat in the returns. Recall few facts
ofEecent occurrence, and It will be seen
that ] do them no injustice.
10 1888, the leaders of the present
Harrison party had possession of the
Government of Pennsylvania, in all its
Legislative and executive branches. BY
false registries, and the introduction Of
thousands Of voters; from abroad, they
strove 10 elect Governor and majors
ityoft the House Of Representatives, but
wele defeated Instead Of submitting
to ihe decision ofthe people, they de-
termined TO disregard it and retain pos-
session of the Government Of the State
at every hazard. From the county Of
Philadelphia, two Democratic Senators
and eight Representatives had been e.
ected, and it was so certified by ma
Ijority ofthe judges of the election: yet,
though the Democratic majority was
several hundreds, minority ofthe judi
ges sent a certificate to the Office ofthe
Secretary Of State, falsely showing
that the Harrison candidates had ma
jority. The change of these eight mem-
bers from one side TO the other, would
give them a majority OF the House Of
Representatives, Fortified by this false
certificate, and supported by the Gov
ernor and a majority ofth Senate, the
Secretary of State publicly advised his
party to treat the election of Governor
as if it had never been held, although
the Democratic candidate had a major
ity ofthausands On the meeting Of
the Legislature, he sent in the false re-
turns, and Withheld the true ones. The
Senate Immediately admitted the usur-
| pers. When tho Democrats of the
House resisted their introductions into
that body, the Harrison party proceeded
+ separately, in conjunction with the u
, snlPers to organize House and choose
! their officers. The Democratic men,
: bers did the same thing, in conjunc lion
with the true Representatives from Phil
adelphia county. But as the Governor
and a majority ofthe Senate were OF the
Harrison party, all power was in their
} hands; and 1t became that they intended
to create, by arbitrary power, ma
J jority in The House, and set aside the
election, not only Of several Senators
and Representatives, but that Of Cover
nor also
This design, more bold, considering
the people and the age, than the mos
Daring usurpations of Caesar, Cromwell
! or Napoleon, reused the spirit of '16
+ indignant multliudes poured into lbt
I capital; they organized a Committee o
, SAFETY, and prepared 10 assert thu
rights of the people. The affrightet
, Governor and his guilty councillors, in
stead Of receding from their foul design
! denounced the people as rebels and de-
. termined to carry out the usurpation b,
force of arms! Troops were called gu
provided with "bucbshot and ball cart
9 ridges The capital of the State resoun
ded with the din Of arms; and the peace
of the Commonwealth seemed 10 b.
T suspended upon hair. Lest the mi
D Iitia OF the State might show some re-
luclance to shoot down their own frlend
J and subvert their own rights, the Gov
6 ISrnor bad the audacity to request the ali
of a body of United States reguIars,th
: in the vicinity, and to ,demsnd of th'
: President the aid Of the army of th'
+ Union.
h What in this case, cid The people ask
!, \ Nothing but the installation Of their pul
r lie officers, duly and cOnstitutionally e
ected by large mejoriries. And VIII
N did dot the Harrison party proceed il
O their monstrous design to deprive then
ofthis dearest right of freemen, to hea
@ the election as lift had not been held
!, and retain the possession Of power q
e the point Of the bayonetl Not becaus
they were not ready for blood and car
J, mage, to put down the rights Of the pso
), pie; but because two Of their number
j. and twO only, refused to act out tn
1t scene, and recediDg from the usurPin
=. House Of Representatives, left it with
out a quorum. As bold, uuprincipled
d and unscrupulOus es they were, the
o dared not proceed when they could n
ir longer shield their usurpation unde
=