Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-05-20
The Approaching Republican
State Convention.
THE DUTY OF THE HOUR.

THE OF
THE time has arrived when a solemn
obligation again devolves upon the Re-
publican party of Ohio, and in the
faithful discharge of which rests in
large degree, the success of the party
not only in the State, but the nation.
Ohio today is the keystone of the
Republican arch; the result of the COM
ing election, will tell, we belle se, large
" for the veal or woe of the whole
country.
In few days a Convention will as
semble in Columbus, to nominate a
State ticket and enunciate a platform
on which one of the most important
campaigns ever held in the State will
be fought. The Democratic party at
present in the ascendancy in the State,
has ayailed itself of the occasion, in
more ways than one, to pander to the
worst passions of the people. Hun
cry for spoils, it scruples not to lend its
support to any measure which will in
sure for it success i'm the future. AT the
last election very considerable num-
Der of Democrats, actuated by honest
motives, disproving of the drift and
utterances of their party, voted with
the Republicans-while the Prohihi-
tionists maintained their party organi-
zation, and drew their strength main-
ly from the Republican party, which
had taken advanced ground on the
Temperance question. The result is
known. A vice of hideous mien eve
rywhere, scotched under municipal
rule, if so desired, had thrown on its
neck the reins of unrestrained license,
as one of the first fruits of Democratic
rule. Drunkenness and riot are unbri-
died in thousands of places over the
State, where formerly local law secur-
ed peace. 1t may not be generally
known by our readers that the last
Democratic Legislature actually FORBID
by legal enactment, municipal author
tiles from prohibiting the sale of ale,
beer and wine. How well this liberty
has been improved, let the police re-
ports of the State answer.
Then, great moral question grow
ing out of another feature of this de-
lectable Democratic rule, the passage
of the Geghan law, for the promotion
OF the cause of Roman Catholicism,
,,,;ll da,blop, ascur,,a from, rrosonf a N
pearances, considerable proportions,
and will form an important feature in
the coming canvass; let the people not
forget where the responsibility for these
insiduous encroachments upon their
liberties, lies.
Our Prohibition friends surely in the
light of events, cannot afford to fritteI
away their strength on hopeless or.
ganization, while events such as these
are crowding themselves before theiI
eyes. We appeal to them thus early
to see where duty-efficient duty-lies
in the coming campaign.
We earnestly hope, therefore, in
view of the past, in trusting faith of the
future, that there will be full and en-
thusiastic Conveation at Columbus. O
men having alone the interests of the
people, rather than the personal ad
vancement of any man or set of men
at heart. Let but one common senti
ment pervade the Convention. How
can we best advance the great manu-
featuring, mining, agricultural and 9th
er interests of the State; in brief, wha
can we do towards solving the labo
question, in which the masses are in
terested. Corporations are able, ant
will take care of themselves.
These are the living issues of th
hour, and they must be met, and tn
party that unheeds them will assured
Iy be disregarded by the people, who's
prosperity and happiness are the out
growth of these instrumentalities.
We repeat, let there be no endorse
ment Of anybody or anything, excep
what is worthy of the sincerest conf
dence of the people, and calculated t
bring success to the ticket, and sub
stantisl benefits to all of the citizen
OF the glorious old commonwealth
Tie utterance of the immortal Lin
coin, 'This is government of the pee
pie, byth people and of the peol l.,
should be the watchward of the Con
vention. This sentiment has met wit
q thousand resounding 'amens,' al
over the country during the last year
and if the real questions of The hou
are disregarded, we may expect tn
people in the coming elections to dem
onstrste again their prerogative of SOW
ereignty.
Upto Columbus, then, in our might
and may an.earnest desire for the publi
veal characterize our proceedings! II
essentials unity, in non-essentials char
ity, but as Lincoln said, "with a firm
reliance on the right as God gives us t.
zee it." let us avoid Scylla and Charyb
dis and all entangling alliances-girt
on our armor, plant ourselves on &
square, honest platform, looking to the
advancement of the interests of thu
aohote people, and victory will as Ger
tainly await Cur banner In October, al
1t did In Gays of yOre. Will we i'm
prove the opportunity?