The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-03-01
The Detroit Tribune and the Republican
Legislature.


on the Soldiers Voting Law, the Detroit
TrtJune has been strenuous advocate
for that decision-for rs righIulness, le-
gality, and enforcement genel ally and for
ifs adoption by both Houses Of tie Legisla-
ture az standard By which al the contes-
ted seats should be decided. Tie T,-iJuue
has sustained its opinions with great perse-
verance and industry, producing. daily col
umn after column Of labored editorials for
this purpose, though apparently With little
or no effect upon the dissenting members
Of the Legislature.
Ia making and continuing this discus
sion. we do not regard the Trijuge a. hay-
ing exceeded is proper boundaries Of in
quiry as a public journal, or as having CIV
en- any just ground Of offence 10 any MEM
Der Of the Legislature. Tie editor Of that
paper was bound, on 80 important 4 mat
ter, 10 speak earnestly and plainly; and
when he saw, or thought he saw that the
party was being led 20 destruction, he
would have been faithless 10 his duty If he
had not demonstrated firmly against it.
We claim for ourselves, and are willing to
concede to the Trijune. as to others, the
lagest liberty Of thought, opinion and ex-
preston on every legitimate subject OF dis
cussion; nor do w hold mat because
another does not talk or write as we be-
lleve, he should not therefore talk or write
at all.
But the Tribune writer has gone much
further than this. He has not merely pro-
tested and demonstrated. but he has as
sumed an attitude Of permanent hostility to
all the Legislators who may vote differently
from the course he has prescribed. He en-
deavors TO lessen them before the people
tie assails them not only as infatuated multi
fiers, but as wanting in integrity Of charac-
ter. As a specimen Of the style of remarks
now usual with that paper, we make one or
two extracts:
1T has been intimated TO us, that Ger
tain members of the Legislature are much
lncensed that the press should have as
sumed 10 discuss this question, and have
spoken in a contemplate strain of the
members OF the press. These small attOr-
neyS contend that the press should main
tain respectful silence until the Legisla-
ture has bluutcred into nuhlic disgrace and
mental inanity, and take the fatal plunge
after them. They will find it much easier
10 maintain these ideas. than 10 enforce
them, although we are not surprised that
men who think that n nod OF theirs can
make the Supreme Court tremble and cry
for quarter. should think that a similar per
Torrance of their nOdding noodles will
crush the press. We care nothing for the
abuse of these men. They can pursue their
course, aud we will ours. They will find il
labor enough 10 answer our arguments
without expending useless energies in de-
nunciatiOn."
We suppose. however, that the time for
argument and appeal are both passed, and
that lax morals and reckless partisan lead
ership have placed the Legislature. even
while we now write. in an irretrevablv false
position. II so, IL is a matter Of proud con
seiOusness that the Republican masses are
still uncOntaminated. They will submit to
the decision of the highest court of the
State, and repudiate the men who defy il.
Every member of the Legislature who votes
TO defy the decisions of the Supreme Court.
thereby digs his political grave and sets up
his tombstone. He may take a long fare
well OF all his ambitions. The people could
forgive his error and infatuation. were il
not that so iniirm a judgment and feeble
moral sense must ever render his elevation
public danger. We make no menace or
forge no maledlctiOn. but claim TO speak in
the voice OF prophecy, that which is newt
able"
We submit that these are not the words
Of a friend lamenting the errors Of one
whom he loves. and who has been led IN.
Willingly astray. They are rather the Ian
guage OF an avOwed adversary who has de-
clared war, and who means to drive the de- |
Tending party to the WALL and hold him
there until he is utterly crushed or cries for
quarter. These, and other articles having
the same spirit. il seems 10 US. coincide ex-
actly, in feeling and object, with the daily
editorials Of the Free Press on the same
subject; and We have been led 10 INQUIRE /
whether a new hand has not taken control /
OF the Tribune who thought that dictation .
and denunciatiOn would add 10 the large
influence which that paper has gained by
ability, diligence and moderation. We
have seen this marked change with regret.
because this course followed uu will ulti
mately bring no advantage to itself while
its tendency is to beget a temporary alien
alton among Republicans.
Fifteen Republican Senators. teing two
thirds Of the whole number in the Senate
and forty-three Republican Representa-
tives, being about three-ffhs Of the whole
number in the House. are not only held I'D
as nulhiers Of the Constitution. but they
are aSsailed in their moral character. and in
their Intellectual ability. Are they ALL
81 small attorneys" ? Are all their heads
90 noaaing nodGlsS~s Are all character
led by mental iaansy" and an IN
frm judgmsHt"' Have all such "1,-
morals " and so ''fssils a moral Ssuss ~
that their elevation in the community
would become a ''puJic danger
AspeTsions like these upon majority Of
The Republican members az the Legislature
md followed every day. can have but one
object in view: that Of driving up the
members to pursue a prescribed course OF
action or OF making them feel that. if they
refuse they are to be crushed before the
people The object is tomake them appear
In the eyes Of the public ridiculous. imbe .
Gle, narrow in intellect, unsafe in morals
persons who are therefore to be distrusted. ,
dishonored, degraded despised. ii
such a course on the part Of the Tribune
necessarily creates beteween the majority !
VI hepuohcan members and that paper an
issue OF open hostility. which those men,
oers VIII be compelled to make in selede- I
renee. Iheir only resource is to appeal TO
their constituents and to the public eener-
ally for the rectitude OF their intentions /.