Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-19

'N"eo' NNt'f the Peupie VII De ieh hhhouA taN'
and must resort 10 "Hlisrior msaswes for the
preservation Of their just polilical rights"
Now, we assert, as a position beyond eayil,
that ''Ihs Wing apporlionmsnt scheme" is a
law, fairly enacted, and in full force, and that il
is the duty Of the people. as moral eiIizsns. TO
act in accordance with lis provisions, so long as
il may renal in upon our statutes; or, that it is no
law, and il would be wrong, radically wrong,
in any manner, TO oounlenanee its proyisions.-
Ii is as much in violation Of good order to act
without law, as TO commit the same act in yo-
laIion Of law. lf there is no law, there is no
authority TO act; no right to hold an election;
no delegation of power to enable trustees and
clerks to open the polls. II an election be held
who will ilsoficers bel and dwhaIlhequalifcaiion
Of voIersl The regularly installed trustees and
clerks cannot. for they have taken on oath to
support the Constitution and laws Of Ohio, as
they sristed prior 10 the assembling Of The ReUO.
luliOHary COnvsntiOn on the loh Of May. This,
probably, had some effect upon the delegates in
attendance, when, "wIh view 10 ulieriOr mea-
sHres," they postponed the dissolution of the
Slale Government until "atter the second Tues
day Of October next"
But what are to be the "ulteriOr measures"
called into action, to preserve the Constitution
and the political rights of the peoplel The first
recommended is "a refusal on the part of the
Democratic candidates who shall receive ma
jority of the votes cast in the several counties
and districts, 10 take upon themselves the ob-
cations Of Senators and Representative" Is
this right Is irin accordance with the princi.
cles Of Republican Government Is il consisten,
with that fundamental principle Of free Govern.
menl, "Ihe right of the majority to ruIe!" Is it
the course that an intelligent, moral and peace
loving citzen would recommend or sanction?-
By agreeing 10 take paninIhe election, the Con.
vention has, in substance, conceded the Const-
tutionalily, tse legal existence, the binding force
of The ApPorionment law. Yet, despite these
concessions, it recommends that, unless its parli.
zans obtain majority in the Legislature, they
shall, regardless of Constitutional requirements,
regardless of the laws that, as good citzens,
they are bound 10 support, refuse to take their
seats as Senators and Representatives, in order
that quorum of members may be prevented
from assembling at the meeting Of the next Le-
glslature, and thus the State Government be
brought to an untimely close.
Well, what is 10 be the second scene in the
drama? The election is 10 be regularly held,
the members of the Legislature duly elected,
their certificates of election made out in due
form, and those elected assemble at the Capitol
of the Stale, as Legislators, TO transact the busi
ness the people. What thenl Locofocoism
requires that its devctees-lhose who would not
be suspected of giving "aid and comfort" to the
enemy--shall not assemble in the capacity OF
legislators, but that the "Convenlion" shall ire.
assemble at Columbus, on the first Monday OF
December next, to devise the necessary meas
ures for securing the action Of The whole people
on ,he subject of new Constitution"
Thus we trace to a termination, or, rather a
halling place, the doings of the famous Conven-
tion of the 10Th of May, l848. And what do
they amount tol 1st. That 'the Wing appor-
tonment scheme" comes so near being law
that Locolocos should vote under it. Cd. That
they will not act aslegislators ,unleSSthey obtain
a majority in the Legislature. Sd. That unless
the people giVethempower they overthrow
the State Government. What patriotsml what
love for the people! what devoted admirers of
'the right of the majority to ruIe!" We want
the control of your legislation, and unless you
quietly give it up TO us, we will overthrow your
Government, is now the cry of Loco(ocoism,
uttered by the chandelier in sight of the State
House, and re-echoed by the sentry along the
whole line.
One other measure was recommended by the
Convention. 1t was resolved ''that in view OF
the mementous crisis now existing, we deem it
important that the people have the benefit of a
standing COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY" A
Committee OF Public Safety! Forwhat purpose!
With what designl If the safety of the public
is threatened, the threats come from Locofocos.
If the Constitution is threatened with violation,
and the laws set at defiance, it is Locofocos who
stand ready, nay pledged, to commit the act.
Yet they recommend, as measure of precau-
tion, the appointment of Committee Public
Safety As we'll might horde of robbers, uni
ted by the "cohesive ties of public plunder," ap-
point committee to protect society from their
insatiate stealings, as for Convention, whose
avowed object is to set at defiance the Consltu.
ton and laws of the State, appoint Commit
tee of Public Safety, 10 preserve the people