Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-08-03

Allentown, Pa, July II, 1870.
To the Republicans of Pennsylvania:
In calling the attention of the Republi-
cans of Pennsylvania to the convention to
meet at the city of Reading on the 3l.t day
of August next, we desire to present the
following considerations concerning its pur-
poses:
The Republicans of Pennsylvania who live
in counties in which they are in the minori-
ty number one hundred and twenty five
thousand voters, more than one third of the
whole Republican vote. They own and con-
troll very large and varied and material in
terests, requiring the care and protection af
forded by wise and salutary laws.
That these people are wholly excluded from
participation in the management and control
of their respective county governments does
not in the least estrange their devotion to
Republican principles or cause them to abate
their efforts in behalf of the success of the
Republican party. They have just cause of
complaint, however, in the fact that, while
their political brethren are and for many
years have been in the ascendency in the
State Legislature, they are entirely unrep-
resented, and by an unjust rule established
by a Republican majority, they are continu-
ally subjected to unjust and oppressive laws,
while they are persistently denied such leg
islation as their material interests require.
That so large body of the people should
find themselves unrepresented in the law
making power is evidence of defective fun
damentsl organization. A republican OF
democratic form of government must of ne
cessity be representative, and TO fill the re-
qaifsments of . representative government
it should be so framed that all the people,
as nearly as practically can be, should have
a voice in the enactment of the laws which
govern them. If the government is so shap-
ed that a majority of the people only are to
be represented, then it cannot be free and
republican state, but mere despotism of
one portion of the people over the other.
Such government i. despotic in principle
as well as in practice, for it can be of very
little consequence to the minorities whether
the laws which govern them are made by a
particular class of men, or by single po
tentate, the minorities, who are excluded
from all voice or hearing in the law making
branch Of the government, bearing about
the same relation to the majorities as do sub
jects to an absolute monarchy.
According to the mode of representation,
az established by the constitution and laws
of Pennsylvania, more than one third of her
voting and tax-paying citizens are excluded
from any voice or power in the law-making
department of the State, and the same re-
mark will hold true as to the General Gov
ernment
Wemost respectfully and earnestly present
thi, subject to the candid and considerate at
tention of the voters of Pennsylvania, con-
fidently relying on their intelligence and
sense of justice for a reform in a matter SO
vital to the welfare and prosperity of the
whole people, and the safety and perpetuity
of the Government.
1t is gratifying to observe that this move
ment is not without precedent in our own
country /; for the people of Illinois have quite
amended the organic law of that
State SO that minoritIes will hereafter be
fairly represented, not only in the State Leg
islature, but also IN all corporations author
lied by law. In other States the question
has been favorably entertained, and even in
some of the European governments it is dis
cussed BY the people, and, in one instance,
partially adopted, while learned political wri-
ters everywhere have commended it to pub
lie attention.
In view of this subject, and because the
minorities have suffered long
and much for want of proper and equal
the members of the Repub
lican State Central Committee held meet
ing in the city of Philadelphia, on the 18th
inst, when it was resolved that State Con
vention of delegates from minority counties
be held at the city of Reading, on Wednes-
day, the 3lst day of August next, with the
view of concerting measures to seure repre-
for minorities in all matters where
in they are interested, and consider other
matters interesting to minority counties.
1t is firmly believed that if the people of
Pennsylvania we're more generally and equal
" represented in our State Legislature, that
the character of legislation would be vastly
while the danger of corruption
would be very materially lessened, if not al
together avaided.
The minority districts in Pennsylvania are
most earnestly enjoined to send able and in
auential representatives to the convention
which will meet at the city of Reading, while
all other counties in the State are also re-
quested to send delegates to assist in the OBJ
jects of the convention, in accordance with
the resolution passed at the meeting of the
Committee.
e. J. MoRx, Chairman.
Allentown. July II, 1870.