Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-08-16
j lVtggc ItasRGJey.

There are some things exceedingly diff
6cult to comprehend. Among these un-
s,lved problems is the conduct of public
men.
R. P. Ranney, the Democratic candi-
date for Governor, is admitted, by all can
did mer, to be man Of ability; and that
he has stood fair, as an upright, moral citi-
zen, we believe is also admitted; and yet
his position in the Democratic party at
this time, is an anomaly not to be explained
on any known principles Of ethics. We
would like to believe him an honest man,
and hope he will be able to "detine his po-
sition" in manner to justify such an
opinion. And for this purpose, as he is
to address our citizens soon, we publish a
letter written by him, when he was can
didate for Congress, and ask all our rea-
ders to give 1t careful and thoughtful Pc
rusal.
This letter either was the EonCs!, ma
luled judgement of Judge Ranney, or it
was not. But that letter goes to the very
verge of the Republican platform. Not a
word, not a sentiment in it which is not en-
tertained by every Republican In the Union.
If you Lave not read the letter, turn to it and
read it now. If you have read il, read it
again. And when you have so read it, then
answer to yourselves these quesIlons; Ii
Judge Ranney uttered the sentiments of
that letter, under the solemn responsible
ties of his position, merely 10 get the votes
Of the people without intending, in good
faith, to carry them out, then ras he not
playing he demrgogue in the basest man,
ner, and is he not too dishonest tC
be trusted with any Office by the peo-
ple? And if those are still his real sentl.
m9nts, and he now suppresses them, and
processes the exact opposite, for the sake
of getting the nomination and votes OF the
Democratic party, is he not now playing
the demagogue, and proving himself toe
d dshonest 10 be trusted?
We believe nothing but party neces
sty could induce man Of Judge Ranney's
abilities to so stultify himself Wher
that letter was written, the Democratic
party in Ohio professed to believe that i
was the duty Of Congress to prohibit sla
very in the Territories. Judge Ranney
says he has no doubt Of their power to d.
so, and pledges himself, if elected, to Sc
vote. But he South have, since then, OBJ
tained absolute CT ntrcl Of the party, anc
the same men in Ohio, or those of then
who still follow the Southern leaders, now
profess TO believe that Congress cannot dC
what they then said was their clearest righ
and duty to do; thus keeping pace with thu
most fanatical ultraisAS of the Southerr
dsunionists.
Trust such men with power, and wha
reliance can be placed in their pledges
! If Judge Ranney. for the sake of votes, wa'
willing, in 1913, to pledge himself to com
nit perjury and violate the Constitution
as he says Republicans will do if they vot'
as he said he would vote, is he a safe re
positorv of power: And ifhe still secret.
holds the same opinions, but is willing Il
sacrifice the interests Of his country b,
supporting the opposite opinions and pol
ICY, for the sake of office now, does it no
become the people to think well before the.
t:ust their destinlts to the keeping of him
and the party whose subjeclou to tn
slave power, has compelled him to take th
humlliating position he now occupies?
Neither the Judge nor his friends viii
dare to deny the genuineness of the letter