The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-12-22
TO the People Of the State Of Ohio.

FELLOW CITIZENS: Before this you
have doubtless heard of the scenes which
have taken place within the walls of the
capitol. We deplore them for the State,
but believe we can safely say that the
sin does not lie at our own door. That
you may know the whole truth and not
be mised by false statements, that are
purposely sent abroad, to misead the
public mind. we have thought it duty
to state to you the facts ust as they oc-
Cured. five had reason to believe on
leaving home, from sources Conformation
common to all, that serious difficulties
were likely to arise in the organization
of the House of Representatives during
the present session, on our arrival here,
from evidences not to be mistaken, it was
clear that it would be almost impossible
to avoid them. How serious they might
he no one pretended to know, yet all a
greed that come they would in some
shape or other.
Most, ifnot all the Wing Representa-
tives being present, and strongly impress
ed that the occasion required great pru-
dence, deIiberaton and irmness, a mee-
ting was held by them as early as the I'd
of December, when it was resolved and
adopted as rule of action, that nothing
would be done on their part which was
not right in principle, and that everything
should be avoided that would be likely to
produce violence or disorder; and we say
to you, and pledge whatever character we
may have among you for its truth, that an
unyeldng adherance to this resolution,
amidst insults and indignities, has alone
saved the capital of the State from being
the scene of violence and bloodshed.
But at the same time we resolved to
forbear and to do no wrong; we also re-
solved that we would not suffer wrong at
the hands of others. To this resolution
we have also adhered, and shall continue
to do SO as long as the rights of the peo-
pie are thought worthy being preserv-
ed. 1t is thought that difficulties would
likely arise in the first instance in the or
ganization of the House, and all agreed
that the best way to avoid them would be
to strickly adhere to long established
usages in such cases. Established GUS
toms, especially in troublous times, are
sacred as law,and the party which violates
them means to do wrong. On the first
Monday of December, of each year, it has
been the custom for the members elect oI
the House of Representatives, since the
adoption of the Constitution, to meet al
the State House, at the hour ofl0 O'Clock
A. NJ, at the ringing ofthe bell, and ther
and there organize. To this custom we
resolved to adhere, and only to enter the
House at the usual time and at the usua
signal. But about eight o'clock in The
morning, and before most of the Whg
Representatives had been to breakfast, i
was made known by our friends that ou
opponents had taken possession of the
Hall, and were in the act of organizing
AS matter Of mere accident, some sew
en- or eight of our number happened t.
be present in the Hall at the moment
These private advices were the first init
nation most of us had of the meeting, fo
the bell, which was sounded in an unusua
way, as many of US learned afterwards
was the work of friend, who wished I,
alarm the Wing members, and put then
upon the alert. 1t was evident, from th
manner in which the Democratic mem
bers convened, and the haste with whic
the proceedings were conducted, that tn
Wings were to have no part in the in
cipient stages of the rganization-tha