The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-05-06
Political Treason.

The present national administration has
proved itself to be so lamentably weak and
Inefficient, that evidences not only of a want
of confidence in, but openly avowed con-
tempt for it, have Manifested themselves IN
various parts of the country in the house
of its original friends. The resnlt could not
well be otherw ise. So completely has it
failed to realize the expectations of those
who invested it with power, that even or
dinary reliance In its wisdom has given place
to feeling of alarm at its dictatoral purpose
1t is not the entertainment to which they
were invited. 1t has been such rickety,
such nondescript affair. that OF the six
cabinet ministers originally nominated to
the Senate by Grant. when he assumed office
little over two years ago. only one fthe
Post Master GeneraD now remains. In its
brief aud inglorious career, it has done those
things which it ought not to have done. and
has omitted to do the things which it should
have done. In all it's workings and sur
rouudings it is essentially q military estao-
iishment, and the daily routine Of business
at the White house recalls more the head
quarters of commanding general, with all
the pride, pomp and circumstances OF war,
than the quiet residence of the highest CIVIL
officer of the government. This want OF
confidence in Grant and his administration
among leading Republicans has assumed
definite shape and bids fair to become
power in the next Presidential election. A
few weeks ago some of the leading and most
Influential Radicals Of Ohio met in Cinciu
natl for the purpose of consultation in refer
ence to the alarming assumption of despotic
power by Grant and his servile Congress
! This schsm in the Republican rauks of that
State is headed by such men as Gen. Cox.
late Secretary of the Interior, Judge Matth-
ews and other prominent and active mem-
bers of that party. An address to the peo-
pie was published and resolutions adopted
in favor of universal amnesty to the South
opposition TO the San Domingo scheme and
to a protective tariff-in favor of reform in
the civil service and speedy return to the
basis of gold and silver currency. This
meeting was net the mere spasmodic effort
Of few disappointed politicians, but the
calm and deliberate action Of some Of the
wissst and most prudent men in the Repub-
wedge that, when driven home. it assur>
edly will be, will split the Radical party
into fragments.
This Ohio movement has been lately fol-
lowed up by a number Of prominent Repub-
licans Of st. Louis, styling themselves THE
Liberal Republican Executive Committee of
St. Louis" At a recent meeting Of the
members of this committee the following
resolutions were adopted as their platform.
1t will be seen that they amount to an open
| ly declared and irrepressibls conflict with
the high-handed and unconstitutional meas
ures Of Congress. 1t is the beginning Of tho
| end.
First-A Democratic ballot box. Equality
of citizenship established by the constitu
tional amendments, and amnesty for all past
political offences.
Second-Supremacy of constitutional gov
eminent. that the Executive shall not invade
the legislative, nor that either of the two shall
usurp the province of the judiciary.
Third-We condemn President Grants
course i'll committing acts of war upon a neigh
boring republic as violatve of the constitution
which vests the making power in Con
gress.
Fourth We are opposed to all enaotmen:s
whereby it is put within the discretion of the
President to declare martial law or suspend
the writ of personal liberty except in an actual
condition of war, vioiative of the Constitu-
ton in substituting the will Of the President
in place of the law of the land.
Fifth-We are opposed to any tariff which
is intended to foster any one or another class
of industry. and thus tax one man or class for
the benefit OF another, and maintain that all
taxes should be levied with the sole intent to
secure needed revenue With the least possible
burden to the people as q whole.
Sixth-Bseving that the time has como
when the condition of our country warrants
resumption Of specie payment, we favor
speedy return to the basis of gold and silver
currency; and we depreciate any effort to COM
pei the present generation to pay the principal
of the debt incurred for the preservation of
our Union, believing that, as future genera
tions well as the present. derive the bens
fit thsrefrom, they shouli bear a proportion
ate share of the same.
Seyenth-Reform in appointments to the
civil service, that personal qualifications and
intrinsic merit shall bo the standard, and not
executive fayoritism.