The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-04-01

him, on account OF the peculiar condition
of the country he accepted a second
term, and on the expiration Of that term
terminated his connection with the Gov
enment. That example has been pur
sued and followed ever since, and has
been looked upon as u part of the Const'-
tu,ion of the country; but II is almost out
of order to refer to such man as Wash
ington in these times. When he was ac-
cepting the Office what did he say in refer
ence TO the morals softhe country What
did he say interference TO expenditures
in his message to CongressY lie ex-
horted them in making provision Tor the
Executive Department to make no FUR
ther provision than was Absolutely neces-
sary to defray the legitimate expenses
We find that Washington was opposed to
third term, and set an example by
serving but two. find another thing in
regard to Washington's character in sus-
tanning the morals of the country, in set
ting the example in practice and srecept
Washington received no more while he
was serving the country, even in the
army, than barely sutliced to defray his
expenses. We find provision con-
tained in the Constitution which declares
that no title of nobility shall be granted
to any officer of the United States, nor
shall any officer receive any present or
gift from any prince. potentate, or foreign
power What fortunate thing it would
have been if, in the formation of the
Constitution, when our mind was directed
A. a, az, ia, ,Nft ln "a
templating what was likely to come from
that direction, we had added IN the last
clause or two, "0r any citizen OF the
United States" for there is as much dan
ger in gifts and presents and gratuities
from citizens of the United States to pub
lie officers as there is from princes and
potentates of foreign powers.
NOW ENGLAND PUNISHED A GIFT TAKER'
In 1895 a resolution was adopted in the
House of Commons in reference to the
Speaker of that body, Sir John Trevol,
who rose from obscurity to be Speaker OF
the British House of Commons, attracted
public attention and occupied large
space in the public mind, and on the
death ofQueen Mary, who seemed to be
one of those queens who were beloved
and respected by the populace, he occu-
pied front rank in the funeral process
sion, bedecked and adorned in all the
paraphernalia suitable to the occasion.
In less than two weeks afterward the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted in the
body over which he presided: Resolved,
That Sir John TreVol, Speaker of the
House of Commons, for receiving gra-
tuity of one thousand guineas from the
city of London, sguilty of a high crime"
This was the resolution, and this was the
language they used in 1895. Notwith-
standing there has been so much refer
ence to the corruptiOns of England and
the English Government, such was their
view, and such was their action in refer
ence to their Speaker, who had received
thousand guineas as gratulty for his
influence and assistance in passing a bill
through the House for the benefit of the
city Of London IA thousand guineas, only
five thousand dollars, Look around and
contemplate for one moment, can we not
find where the principle could be APP
piled? And perhaps it would be as Ie-
Ultimate to have a resolution of the char
aCter under consideration for an express
sion of opinion on that subject as the one
we have had. This resolution was adopt
ed on the 9th Of March, l695-now $50
years ago-and still it lives in history,
and Notwithstanding the British Gov
ernment is called corrupt, that was tHelr
view of gratuities. They carried this
proposition so far that he was made to
read the resolution and did read 1t, and
felt to the fullest, deepest extent hls own
degradation and when the resolution
was adopted he was made to get up and
read the resolution which condemned
him. Now this would be just as legitl-
mate subject to consider here to-day as
the subject we have now under consld--
Grafton. We could consider just as well
Il resolution expressing an opinion with
reference to officers of the United States
receiving gifts from citizens of the United
States. Why not consider subject like
that? Let the popular heart understand
it, and let it respond. 1t is time we turned
our attention to things like this. |
merely read this resolution for the pur-
pose of making general application to
any body who is guilty of like conduct.
THE PRESIDENTS ACTION IN LOUISIANA.
Referring to the Presidents action in
regard to Louisiana, he said:
The President assumed to take com
mand of the State and give these people
a government. What does he say him
self on that point? He says in his mes.
age. at has been generally conceded
that Kellogg was not elected. Whether
he was or not is not altogether certain,
nor is it any more certain that his COM
petitor, McEnery was chose!. The cleo
ton was a gigantic fraud, and there are
no reliable returns. Kellogg obtained
the office, and McEnery has no more
right to it than he has" Here are two
men competing for the gubernatorial
chair of the STATE, neither entitled to it,
and if there have been gigantic frauds IN
the election, the proceedings should be
looked over; but the President comes
along, finds the usurper in power, and
takes it upon himselfto make the Gov
ernment of the United States party to
this usurpation. Is not this monstrous?
Why. the time has been in this country,
and since my recollection, too, that if an
act like this, if an usurpation like this
had been attempted, it would have pro-
duced shock throughout the nation.
The nation would have been indignant
from one extreme to another, and would
have been ready to hurl from power the
perpetrator of such an act.
sHERIDAN's SOUTHERN TOUR.
Mr.. johnson then quoted from the let
ters aud orders sending Gen. Sheridan on
his Southern tour The Secretary OF
War in his letter of instructions said he
considered it tour of pleasure to look
after the condition of the country. The
President said, 81 think the trip will be
agreeable to you, and you can obtain a
good deal of information which we might
desire to learn" Mr.. johnson continued
1t might be agreeable to him with a
staff of officers travelling over the couu-
try displaying themselves before the peo'