The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-02-08

which ademocfatc government Is fairly required aud
expected to mete out to all its citizens. 3tstlf
Since Chic assumed the bold and decided stand upo
the broad platform of Individual Liability she has
cupied lofty position among the States of this Union
Having taken the lead in the cause OF REFORM andmain
tahed her station in the Yan she has attained eeva-
on in political and moral point ofview and is exer-
tsns influence over public opinion and the course of
legislation in other States whose ultimate effects cannot
fully be deveopements otme But by what Is already |
seen 10 be the effects OF this moral power of Ohio, we
may form some anticipatons what will follow.
Since Ohio assumed determhatgly her position her |
principles haveb been recognized ascoTectin every
tion Of the Union. Democratic presses Governors of
States public meetings Legislatures and State Conven
lions have acknowledged; endorsed and urged the
rectness and praccabty Of the doctrines and prnci
pies enforced by Ohio Legislation. Adhere firmly to
our position, and ere long we will see State after State
following our lead, Initiating our example, and enfor
cling our principes To turn back now, to recede from
our position, to abandon our cherished principles would
indeed be to undo all that we have done to throw a.
way all that we have gained to disappont the lovers Of
justice and equality everywhere, to roll back the tide of
democratic progress and render Ohio instead of the
leader and pioneer in the cause of REFORM heexample
to other States and the pride Of Union, she is
the weak deserer of her principles the recreant 10
her pghted faih the shame the rdicule and the warn
ing of her neghbors But the principle will not be a
bandoned Nothing that has been gained in the strug
gle of principle and reform will be yielded or surren-
dered All will be adhered to and maintained and by
this stern adherence, we will deserve and receive the
confidence ofthe people, will dsappoint the hopes of
our enemies and fulfil the just expectations Of the friends
ofdemocratic principles every where. s.'
DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE IN
| -.Fs l-a &a,m I842 f
There is one circumstance in the recent legislative
| history otthe State to which we cannot Justly withhold
passing reference characteristic as it is of the true spirit
genius ofederasm and illustrative oits utter rec
essness otlaw, constitution and consequences We re-
fer to the conduct of the Wings hdssoving the Legis
ature of the State in the summer Of 1872 by the resg
nation OF their membership sufficient number of
hem to deprive the Legislature of constitutional ques
um for the transaction of business. r..-..
By this unprecedented proceeding and the consequent
dissolution ofthe law making department ofgovernment
several important acts then demanded by the people
were defeated and prevented from being perfected into
laws Among these was an act for dividing the State
into Congressional districts in order to the holding of
the elections for members ofthe 28h Congress BY the
defeat of this measure the election was prevented from
taking place at the time appointed by law and did not
take place for the space OF year AFTER that if any
emergency had arisen in that time in the affairs Of the
nation demanding the consideration and action of Con-
gress and the President in the exercise Of his const.
utional power and duty, had convened that body in
extra ssson the great State of Ohio with all its impor
ant interests would necessarily have been without any
representation in the popular branch Of Of thatbody
Another act of far different kind from the last was
likewise defeated by the means; an act providing
for the payment of certain laborers on the State works
The wageso these laborers had been fairly and fully
earned they were Justly due by the Stale These claims
Of the Industrious poor constituted debt than which
one more sacred and more incumbent upon the State Il
pay honestly and promptly, cannot easily be conceived
This proceeding on the part of the wings is alone
sufficient refuaton Of their oft repeated assertions thai
they the only conservators of the government the
constitution andlhe laws the opponents of violence fac
ion notification revolution and every departure from
strict constitutional torms and that the democracy arc
ararans facttionsts, destructonsts and barn burn
e In this they developed their own true charac
ter and their uel disregard offons laws and constitu
tions whenthey stand in the way oftheirown potca
! Schemes and policy. What Is nullifcaonl The an
numen of laws and refusal to comply with their requi
sons. These wings not only annnlled legislative en-
acments and refused to comply with their requisitions
or to suffer them to be imposed but they destroyed th
I law-making power. What stacon? A combination
of minority to hwart and defeat the will Of the major
y buthey deprived the majority Of the peoples repre-
sentaves ofhe power ofaciing ata by destroying TIL
legislature. What is revolution? The refusal to ODE,
l. the existing government and the attempt without th
forms Of lave by violence to oveun the government
These wings refused to obey the existing government
and without and in violation ofthe forms oflaw and tn
acquisitions OF the constitution, they overturned the leg
on II these wings are not who can befactionsts, de
structionists, nullifers and revolutionists2
!. Such unjust niquitous and revolutionary conduct
cannot be too openly and too senlo ebuked by an in
I dignant people
. The course of the revolutioniss the resgning mem
+ bers has been sustained defended and justified by tn,
whole whig party They are therefore Justly andfairl,
responsible for the act amenabe TO the odum attached
to it, and answerable orhe destructive principles nvo
! we'd in it.
In regard to the condition OF the State we can iusly
say that the people never enjoyed more happiness sht
sound general prosperity than at the present time The
business ofhe several commecialand productiveclas
i ses was never more healthy The credit of the State
r. was never better and the wants of the community new
h less. The legitimate currency of the state is sount
and nothing Of our own is burdensome but taxation-
u This is in brief the contion Of the Sate after two
r. years of Democratic administration of its government
q In what condhion'was the State transmitted to the
q charge ofthe Democracy by the fedare party? The
Il State was disgraceu Its credit shonored in every
market Its bonds deprecated nearly so per cent The
whole State infested with rotten bankrupt banks con
verted into political engines sWel 10 rule politically
as to detraud pecuniariY Property deprecated and de
precating Trade rotting In our marts. Produce lum
bering our thoroughfares without market. Industry
/ and honest enterprise palied Daily labor unrewardec
of its toll The currency diseased, deprecated & banl
!, paper become very nuisance Taxation burdensomC
npropoion to the disorders of currency and the de
probation Of the value ofpoperty and labor with moth
ing prosperous bgtfraud speculation and nothing sue
cessul but speculation Of the designing and crafty
\ few upon the honest and nsustpecting many. Such
was the pecuniary and business aspect Of the State
when wresedby the people from the political control
Federalism and committed to the charge Of Democracy
= Democratic administration has retrieved the State
The only remnant Of the evils Of whg denomination
still sensbly felt among u.s. is which can only bt