The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-04-19

Ever since its creation the Republic
an organization has been designated as
the "God and morality party" by its
leaders, who claimed that it possessed
all the virtues in the calendar. With
out discussing the morality of our gift
enterprise and horse jockey President,
or the defal cations and swindles perpe-
trated by his appointees, we would al
lude to the recent State Convention
which it was presumed would represent
the brains and intelligence of the party.
From all we can learn, however, 1T was
an undiscipined mob, controlled by
office-holders and roughs, and on every
occasion the respectable minority were
stified, and their protests treated with
derision. The notorious Bill Ovens
was made Sergeant at Arms. He held
that position in the House of Repres.
entatives "a reward for having killed
the gallant Col. Riddle. The inside
management was controlled by Col.
Mann, who has engineered more ras-
cality in Philadelphia than any other
man, and he had for aide-dc camp the
notorious Bum who got a seat in the
Legislature through the oaths Of repeat
ers, who have since been proven
perjurers. VIM. Elliott, late speaker OF
the House, lent hand, and again sue
cessfully used his favorite weapon OF
squelching debatethat was unpalatable
OF course r. w. Mackey, State Treas
urer, aud one of the "Ring" was pres
ent as delegate. He must have Hart
rauft nominated, to cover their Joint
transactions, and especially the Evans
swindle, in which both were concerned.
Another leader present was General
Joshua T. Owens, his speciality lying in
the fact that he was court tmartialed and
sentenced to be dismissed the army on
the charges of being found drunk in
the streets of Harper's Ferry, and of
using insulting language to the daugh-
ter of his Lieut.. Col.
Under such management, what chance
had Ketchum, or any other honest man?
1t is proper to add that one third Of the
delegates at least stood firm, and pro-
tested to the last. Not content with
packing the Convention, the "Ring"
also nominated delegates to the Nation
al Convention. The people Of each dis
trict were not left free to choose fol
themselves, but had to swallow the
nominations of corrupt majority.
One earnest protest at least was uttered
by Col. Frick of Montour, as we learn
by the Press, viz:
"THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.
At this point Mr.. r. NJ. Frick, OF
Montour, said: i desire to enter my
protest against the convention appoint.
ing delegates TO the National Conven
tion at Philadelphia. do not think
this convention is competent to take
from the Republicans of the different
Congressional districts the power to
appoint.
Here he was choked off by the Hon.
VIM. Elliott, of Philadelphia, shouting
"Question! question:
The President. The Chair, is now
making out the list of committees.
Mr., Elliott. Theu / raise the point
that the gentleman is out of order.
The President. The gentleman is out
of order, if the point is raised. He has
right to file his protest with the clerk.
MR.. TRICKS PROTEST.
Mr.. Frick did not file his protest with
the clerk OF the convention, but he did
with the reporter Of the Press, and it is
as follows:
1, r.. M. Frick, Of Montour county
protest against the appointment of del
egates to the National Republican Con-
vention at Philadelphia by this conven
tion, for the reason that it is not compe'
tent for this convention to assume du.
lies not delegated to it by the people. "
We do not believe the masses OF the
Republican party will endorse the ac'
ton of the Convention. They are al
ready speaking out, and, unless mere
p,rty tools, cannot be driven into the
support of obnoxious men.