Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-12-27
- ---a---a-s %
PUBLIC OPINION.


PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC STATE
COMMITTEE TIE PERKS OF TIL
PRESENT POLITICAL CRISIS.
10 tile People Of Pennsylvania:
We address you in that spirit Of
patriotism which is in common to al
citizens Of this Commonwealth. The
political condition Of our country is
fraught with impending peril. The
expression by the people of their in
ten'lon to support those constitutional
means which will meet the issue made
on the question of the Presidency may
prevent what otherwise we will de.
plorc. Whatever violates either the
letter or spirit OF the Constitution
tenCo to weaken and may destroy our
government, There is not a question
or measure relating to the peace and
happiness of the whole people, excit
ing controversy and portending dis
cord, for which the Constitution fails
to provide. The election of Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
States is high and solemn duty of
the people OF the several s ties. An
attempt to cyade obedience to the
popular will by any effort to distort
the meaning Of the Constitution by
misrepresentation Of law, 20 seek to
set up barriers against the face of this
declared will, by substituting revolu-
tionary cXpedicnts Tor constitutions
methods. The Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States
have by the Constitution the sole and
exclusive power to settle all questions
which relate to the validity Of elector-
al votes OF the several states. In one
event the Constitution gives the
House Of Representatives the power
to elect the President. We therefore
earnestly invoke from you every effort
cognizable by law in the execution
and support Of the constitutional
methods by which is to be determined
who are lawfully elected President
and Nice-Presidcnt of the United
States. We invite those who feel
the present danger to aid in all lawful
means which may induce the Senator's
and Representatives of the states and
people in Congress assembled to obey
the plain intent and meaning of the
Constitution and laws, and not, in de-
fance thereto, to place III the high Of
fees Of the Government men whose
title is tainted with fraud. As free
citizens Of this Commonwealth. we
suggest that you consider those meas
ures which such a contingency may
invite or command. We believe
large number of cur citizens. who are
too patriotic 70 be bound bv the de-
signs OF the managers Of the present
Of the General Govern
nent, are prepared openly to condemn
the disposition they manifest to plunge
the country into sea of danger rather
than return to the people the trust
committed to them for specific pen.
cd OF Presidential term. The peo-
pie will, with courage and calmness
and tull faith in their sovereignty as
the source OF all political power, make
these declarations. Then their sel-
wants may listen and obey. Believing
that these opinions are entertained by
all honest and patriotic citizens, we
declare that Samuel J. Tilden and
Thomas A. Hendricks were, on the
9TH DAY of November last, elected
President and Nicp-Presidcnt of the
United States. Self qualification has
no part III this our solemn statement
of the fact, upon which we intend to
rest our future conduct. We call up
on the members OF both Houses of
Congress to adopt such lawful means
IS may lead to the official declaration
1f the tact that Mr.. Tiiden and Mr.. |
Hendricks has been elected, and we
lrge themFto resist with all their pow
n the proposal to settle the ascertain
ment Of 4 fact already accomplished |
'y reference Of it to any other tri-
'unal than that already appointed to
ieclde it by the Constitution of the
United States.