Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-03-19
CANDoR.
A word Il Legislators.

selfinterest and rejection are his only law
lie acknowledges no allegiance to any earthly
~ioower, and the only limit to the qualification Of
his desires, is his power TO indulge them
These are the rights that pertain to his hu-
mainly. with which bis creator has endowed
him, and are ~perpetuN 81 and unconditional. As
population increases, the natural rights Of man
conflicting with each other creates a necessity
Tor his REIMBURSEMENT some o. those rights tOr
The protection and good Of the mass forming
an artificial state Of society called government,
the Democratic or Republican principle Of
which is. that the people while delegatng GER
tain powers to agents or officers, are still lhe
source Of that power and by the magic of the
ballot can afa rm or reject unWise, unsafe or
corrupt laws, aud place the ban of their dis
pleasure upon those who. presuming upon the
brief authority to which the Partially Of the
people. have elevated them, prove ~recIeant to
trust. and barter rights Of the people for per
sonal aggraudizement. Any assumption Of
power by Legislators or incorporated bodies,
which is inimical to the well being Of The mass,
is at war with the great Magma Charter Of Hu.
man Rights. 1t well becomes the Republican
legislator to remember the source from which
be derives his authority. to recur 10 frst prin-
ciples ard enquire for what purpose he became
the servant Of the sovereign people. Hit was
simply for the purpose of subscribing his own
individual interests, his election is nothing but
a mockery. If for the purpose of perPelualing
systems Of stupendous %viIliany, enlrenched be-
hind legal forms and technicalities, strength
sning the hooks and chains that capital has
bound upon the limbs of honest productive IA
Dor, then his election is worse than q farce,
alike unfortunate for his betrayed constituten.
cy, and dishonOrable to himself; but if ANNA
ted by the sterling purpose of honesty and
m~anfally legislating for the greatest good OF
the greatest number, then his election is no
less a lofty tribute to his own integrity than to
the sagacity and discriminating of those whose
Representative he IS.
History shows all the way down its stream
that no public man under a Republican form
Of governmQni, Who has cut himselfloos from
the sympath;es Of The people and refused to ex-
EFT himself for their benefit, could long retain
his hold upon the popular mind, There is a
mighty power in the whirlwind and in the pent
up %vaIcano; but in the still and silent ballot Of
an outraged people, there is an irresistible and
majestic force compared with Which all other
is a SPIDERS web,
Representatives ald Senators of Ohio, when
you convened at the Capitol. one year ago,
while yet fresh from the people, you might
fairly have been supposed TO have rejected
their sentiments. You were indignant at the
bare suspicion OF The frauds which had been
practiced BY the hitherto dominant party: you
at once withheld appropriations for work al
ready completed, and appointed committees to
investigate the alleged fraudulent contracts
with a unanimity and honesty OF purpose,
which was above the suspicion of insinceIity.
How stands the matter to-day A change
has come over the spirit Of your dream; and
Notwithstanding your suspicious are more than
confirmed by the report of your Committee,
you are sitting Supinely by, apparently frighten-
ed by The ghost Of reputation, which is CONT
red up By a treacherous and subsidized press,
sustained by fraudulent contractors or their
agents, who are moving heaven and earth to
manufacture public opinion at the capitol, and
bring a pressure to bear upon your elaboration
which is not less insulting to you than libel
lious upon a republican form Of Government
The least that can be expected Of you in this
crisis is, TO vindicate your own honor and in
dependence. if you have no regard for the in
of the people, Your labors are draw
ing to a close; your overwhelming majority has
far denied The opportunity OF testing the
ring of your metal in contests where every
thing might be lost or won by q single arm;
that time is now approaching. You are
not only to meet foes without, but traitors with
in; let the last browning acts OF your official
life be such as will never cause the blush of
shame to linger upon your check, when you
once more mingle with your constituents at
home.
viii you 90 back, and tell them that you
had not principle enough 10 resist the appliap.
ces that were brought to hear upon your hon.
esiy Will YOU tell them you had not firm. {
ness enough to Withstand the persuasion Of Gun.
ming and ~speciOus arguments directed to your
svmpa,biss rather than your understanding Z I
or, will you vindicate your title to the name Of
coward ny telling them that you had not the !
cours re to Withstand the threats and b~ullyings 5
of hired a~ssassins 10 the shape of corrupt and
venal presses, whose very life-blOod you knew /
was drawn from the pockets of contractors p
VIII rnn say To them. TINT when The whin md