The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-12-29
Meeting Of the Democratic State Committee
AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.


HARRISBURG, PA, Dec. 2l.-The Demo !
ratio State Committee met to-day in tho
room of the Bureau of Statistics to consult
regarding the Presidential election. In ad J.
dition to the members of the State Commit
tee. number Of representative Democrat,
If the State were in attendance. Chairman.
McCleland presided He made short ad-
dress setting forth the objects of the meet
ing.
A resolution was adopted that the invited
guests be permitted to participate in the.
proceedings.
George w. Biddlc Of Philadelphiha, Of
fered resolution authorizing the Chair
man of the State Committee to appoint
committee Of five to draw up a proper
expression of the sentiments of the meeting.
On motion of Lieutenant Governor Latta,
the committee was increased to thirteen,
the Chairman of the State Central Commit
tee to act as its Chairman.
The following gentlemen we're selected as
the committee: George w. Biddle, William
Bigler, James p. Barr, Richard Vaux, B. f.
Myers, w. II. II. Davis, John Latta, j.
Cummings, p. NJ. Pierce, A, j. Steinman,
S. A. Bridges, John Il. Reed and William
McClelland.
General Davis, of Doylestown, stated that
while the committee were celebrating a re-
port prepared by Governor Biger covering
the action of the Louisiana Returning Board
would be read to the meeting. The report,
which occupied quarter of an hour in
reading, gave full history of the action of
the Board and the experience of the Com
mission of which General Bigler was mem-
Der.
The meeting then took recess until half
past one o'clock.
The following address was unanimously
adopted at the afternoon session:
To the people OF Pennsylvania We ad-
dress you in that spirit of patriotism which
is common to al! citizens OF this Common
wealth. The political condition of our
country is traught with impending peril.
The expra assion by the people of their in
tention to support those Constitutional
means which will meet the issue made on
the question of the Presidency may prevent
what otherwise we will dcplorc. Whatever
violates either the letter or spirit of the Con-
stitution tends to weaken and may destroy
our Government.
There is not question or a measure re-
latug to the peace and happiness of the
whole people, exciting controversy and por-
tending discord, for which the CONSTITUTE IN
fails TO provide.
The election of President and Vice Presi-
dent Of the United States is Il high and sol
emn duty Of the people Of the several states.
An attempt to- evade obedience to the popu-
lar will, by any effort to distort the meauine
of the Constitution, by misinte. pretation o
law to seek to set up barriers against the
force OF their declared will, is substituting
| revolutionary eXpedients for Constitutions
| methods.
The Senate and House of Representative
of the United States have, by the COnstltu
ton, the sole and exclusive power to settle
all questions which relate to the validity o
| the Electoral votes of the several States Ii
one event, the Constitution gives the Hous'
of Representatives the power to elect tn
| President.
We, therefore, earnestly invoke from yol
every effort cognizable by law in the eXecu
ton and support Of the Constitutional meth
DDS by which 1t Is To be determined WI Wh
are the lawfully elected President ana vac
| President of the Unit, d States.
We invite those VINO ieel the present dnn
ger to aid in all lawful means whlch ma.
induce the Senators and Representatives
the States and people IN Congress as'em
bled, to obey the PLAIN intent ana meaning
of the Constitution and laws, ana nor, II
defiance thereof to place IN the hlgh once
of the Government men whose tue Is 'aiht
ed with raud. As free citizens OF TINS com
monweaIth, we suggest that you cohside
those measures which such contingenc
may invite Or command. we belleVe
large number Of our cihZens VINO are to