The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-24

1
depreciate the importance of the between the par
ties Not only this; the wing presses, home and at
distance, have directed their main abors to exhibit
their party friends exclusively in the right and the
democracy exclusively in the wrong We have deemed
correct understanding of the origin and character of the
difficulties of decided importance to the people of the
country large and, therefore, have taken some pains
to acquant ourselves with the facts which make up
history OF the contest
is well known that the members elected to compose
their legislature, meeting at Columbus on the 4th
instant, (he constitutional day for its meetng failed in
eectng organization. After several days of inefec
tua balotng for officers the Senate succeeded in an or
ganZation the House. at the latest dates was not only
not organized a legislative body, but there was no
reasonable prospect of such event There is seeming
ly the surface of this state of affairs aided with the
misrepresentation of the wing press including the Ma
tional LteigeHcsr, simply contest between the two
parties there which shall win and enjoy the offices and
patronage of the State We see beneath the surface,
however great principles and important rights at stake
and therefore only appreciate the manly stand as
sumed by the democracy, but think plain history of the
facts will lead readers 10 like sympahes and con-
illusions.
The legisatureof lsi7-Is was wing in both branches
r,
is not assurance that there will be wing legislature
the succeeding year so, the wings OF that body deter
mined to avail themselves of the power of their then
known majority concocted representative apporton-
ment scheme, framed their party future
pemanence in lis hold upon the legislative power-mon-
strous in 'gerrymandsrng frauds upon The rights OF the
democracy, and gross and unprecedented in its bold in
rngement OF the letter and spirit of the State constitution
This scheme, after being forced through branch Of
the legislature, in defiance of the opposition and
strances of the democrats the hoor and throughout
the State, for time successfully resisted by the dem
ocratc portion of the Senate; but, unscrupulous advisers
and abeters 10 the aid OF the whg majority, who,
wthoua quorum at their sittngswithout which, they
iacdpacitated the constitution from doing any egs-
ative act-proceeded in this unconstitutional manner to
supply the necessary forms of legislation and pass the bill
1t declared law and incorporated among the statutes
OF the State 1t legislaed upon in the absence of
quorum. Such legislation unconstitutional; il was
signed by the Speakers of the houses in the absence
OF all legal power TO do so it put into execution,
although involving in its intention, inception, and
summation grosser usurpaion of power, and holder
reckessness of law and justice, than had ever before
marked the conduct OF that INSCRIPTIONS party Ohio
! Why this' There must have been dependent upon the
passage of this scheme than the simple success of
the wing parisans in securing and dividing the little Of
fee spoils OF that State Truly, there was-a consoda-
ton OF mercenary corporations hedged around with
powerful immuntes and exclusive privileges and pro-
viied with an omnipoence that would gradually but
surely bring their contro in time the interests of the
whole political and financial power of the State To
tain Them the system had been changed and
modelled the agricultural and labor interests of the State
had been specially taxed the benches of the courts had
been hlled the Legislative branch Of government ras
yet to be ed beyond the reach Of political upheavngs
Ii was not enough that the whg portion of that body in
ls47-'4s should outrage beyond reasonable forbear-
ance, the rights OF mnorities in the framing Of their
appotoament schemedividng out the political power
of the State their for all time unless defeated
by some unusual revuIson of public feeling; but TO gain
power which even the widest "gerrymaader' could not
bring them, they resored crime upon the iunda-
mental law OF the State, which tolerated any resistance
they assaed the constitution, and attempted virtual
repeal Of its greatest eaurethe power and right of
representation. Here it high time for the uncom-
promising resistance of the democracy begin, that the
treasonous usurpation OF federalism should end.
What this CRIME upon the constitution That in
strument, in Ohio, specially provides that counties shall
constitute representative districts. Not parts OF coun-
es--no cities, towns, townships but counties In
framing that instrument it proposed that COUNTIES
or TOWNSHIPS should be representative districts but
that changed to its present reading in the spirit OF
which the legislature that Immediately followed the
adoption OF the constitution proceeded TO organize the
State into representative districts, and organized by
ties From that day down to the memorable session OF
47-'s, Ohio distrcted and represented This
then, was the point in the constitution against which
that assault was made and from that assault have pro-
ceeded all the difficulties that disturb Ohio and oc
cason the serious regrets of the people OF the Union
The apportonment bill, frauduenty legislated upon
by an unconstitutional body, and declared iaw without
the legal power 10 make it proposed that Hamilton
county in which Cincinnati is situated, should have two
senator's and FIVE representatives. "To the county Of
Hamilton" reads the bill This was right enough; bu
the bill went further and proceeded TO bride the county
making eight OF the ten wards of the city district
and the remaining city wards joined to the country
townships second district pointing out who should anc
who should not vote in said districts in a word, dis
franchsing the electors of the country in their right TO
choice in the representatives OF the county" For
pedency sake, however, the democracy of Hamilton
county, including the city, submitted to the bill lar
and proceeded to elect representatives, simply refusing tc
recognise the divson of the county, which it had mark
ed out The election was held and the five democratic
candidates received very large majority of the votes