The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-12-30
United States Senator.

THURSDAY morning, OecemDcr CUs 1900
United States Senator.
While we have felt that one of the
most important acts of the approaching
session of the Legislature, will be the
election of a successor to Charles E.
Stuart, in the Senate of the United
States, still we have not thought it
necessary to make any remarks upon
the question, preferring TO have left
the subject entirely to the Legislature,
who are presumed to know the feelings
and wishes of their constituents. But
we notice that many of our contem-
poraries are urging the claims of their
respective candidates not only to the
disparagement of other parties, but
also to the abuse Of some of the most
efficient Republicans in the State. We
cannot perceive what motive there is
for entering thus zealously into the
discussion of this question, or what
need there should be of drumming up
supporters to any particular candidate,
as has been resorted to by many of our
contemporaries, unless it be to forestall
public opinion. We do not conceive
that any good is to result to any one
from this method of warfare, but on
the other hand alterations will be pro-
duced which will affect materially the
harmony of the party in its future ac-
tion. ..r 80
We believe, with the Port Huron
Press, that the Republican party has a
greater work and nobler destiny to ac-
complishsthan the onessact of electing a
Senator to sit in the National Councils
for the ensuing six years. 1t has in its
keeping the great principles of human
freedom, and its missionsis to maintain
and advance these until the oppressor
shall be routed from his last strong
hold, and be driven from his most secret
lurking place, and the government shall
be brought back to the fulfillment of its
original purpose, as indicted by the
Declaration of Independence, and the
well-known sentiments of the founders
of the Republic and trainers of the
Constitution. So long as this great
work remains to be done, we have
neither time or energies to fritter away
upon questions of mere personal ag-
grandizement OF local preference.
The only tests, we think, to be made
in the selection of United States Sen
ator are: "Is he honest? is he capable,
and we care not in what portion of the
State man may have lived, if he be
but firm and consistent advocate OF
the principles of the Republican party,
and the people have confidence in his
integrity and capability. The western
portion Of our State never has faltered
in its adhesion to the Republican party,
and we trust it never will. 1t is from
this section that our large majorities
are rolled up, Notwithstanding we are
defrauded out of the emoluments of
Office. We counsel, only, strict adj
hesion to the Republican principle and
the Republican party and shall insist
that every western Senator, and every
western Representative, abide sby the
caucus nomination for u. S. Senator,
be his location what it may.
The fact that man claims the office,
and is forcing his claims in every direc-
ton, so far from influencing votes in
his favor, constitutes very good reas-
on why he should be passed over. We
hear constant talk about the claims
of this man and the other. Whoever
gave these men any cloinas upon the
Republican party of Michigan to all or
any of the Offices in the gift of the peo-
pie? We agree with the Press that
no man has any claim upon the Repub-
lican party, but such "as patriotic and
disinterested services give; and Of all
the men who have earned such a claim,
we think the people should be left to
their own free choice. 1t matters not
whether man has held places of trust
and distinction and been constantly
receiving at the hands of the party OF
not, if he has the qualifications, and
the people want him, he is the man for
the post"
AN OPINION AS is AN OPINION