The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-02-01
JACKSON c. H. OHIO THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1, 1877

10 speak ior the people quite as au-
thoritatively as these gentlemen, and
more especially for the people" Of the
States in which there was a fair and free
Republican majority; and we say that
"the people" will insist upon the inau.
guration Of the man who shall be lawfully
declared President. Messrs. Julian and
Waterson went to Louisiana as members
Of q partisan committee and saw appa-
rently only what they wished TO see.
They have, so far as we are aware, shown
no disposition whatever to allay public
and party excitement, to look simply for
the facts. and to see Democratic as well
as Republican excesses and offenses.
Their object and that Of all the promoters
OF the meetings was the increase Of agita-
tation and disturbance. The purpose Of
these Democratic meetings was the pur-
pose of the Democratic Ku. Klux Klan
and the Democratic White League and
the Democratic bulldozers: IL was in
timidation and menace; il was TO fright
en- the timid and TO coerce Congress
The meetings we're another revelation Of
the spirit. the character, aud the methods
OF the Democratic party, and are another
evidence Of the immense misfortune for
the country, for liberty, and for orderly
government inevitably involved in the
success Of that party.
There is evidently q common under
standinging among some OF the managers
in regard 10 a mass meeting or national
convention Of Democrats in Washington
on the day that the votes are to be
counted. What would be the purpose
Of such q meeting1 Ostensibly TO petit
tion Congress to do its duty, but really
to overawe il to execute the will Of
few demagogues The meeting would
be called an assembly Of citizens laying
their own petition before Congress. The
pretense is familiar. Ii was known per
fectly well in Paris during the terror Of
80, and il has been tried in London
Such q meeting would be merely a mob
menacing Congress. IL would demand a
declaration Of Tilden's election. But
what would il do IL Congress should not
obey its instructions Would il peacea-
bly, disperse and go home7 IL so, why
should il assemble7 But IL Congress
should act under such intimidation,
what would have become OF free repre-
sentative government The meetings Of
the sth January were, politically, blum
ders. There are = great many Republi-
cans in the country who admit that
there are questions in connection with
the late election TO be carefully eonsid-
cred in a patriotic and unpartisan spirit
But such consideration implies an equal
aud corresponding disposition among
Democrats. Ii is manifestly impossible,
if one side truculently insists that there
is no question TO be considered, but that
under undisputed forms Of law, and 40.
cording to State and National statutes.
and strictly under the plain provisions
81 - A.. - -
elected. Such a proposition is absolutely
preposterous, but such is the general
Democratic proposition. IL holds that
the Democratic candidate was unques-
tionably elected, aud can be kept from
the Office only by fraud.
There are, we say, very many Republi-
cans who accept in their fullest sense the
few weighty words spoken by Senator
Conkling in presenting the New York
petition. But in the position and the
character Of such Republicans should not
be misunderstood. They are men who
represent. as we believe. both the convic-
tion and the courage from which the Re
publican party sprang. They are those
who maintained the long debate with
slavery, and with the same unshrinking
resolution sustained the war They are
men of reason. Of conscience, Of intelli-
gence Of industry, Of proved heroism and
endurance. representative OF the charac-
ter and qualities that have really made
and developed the country; men Of the
civilization Of the Northwest and Of New
England rather than that Of Mississippi
and Louisiana, and who cast at the polls
the great Republican majorities OF the
old Free States. They are open TO rea-
son, to fair discussion, and they are de
voted to the adjustment Of differences
under the forms of law. Rut they de-
spise bluster and swagger. and their
good sense at once pierces the fine pre-
lenses and sounding phrases under
which reckless demagogues mask their
selfshness and crime The Republicans
who are disposed to regard the situation
as patriots and not as partisans are the
very last people in the country TO be
frightened by threats, or COMMITTEES Of
Safety" or mass conventions TO overawe
Congress They have seen service in the
field, and they have the reticence Of
courage. The entire performance Of the
Sth of January, 80 far as they are con.
cerned, totally defeats its own purpose.
and makes q reasonable and just settle
ment more difficult, because IL confirms
the suspicion that the dominant desire
with many of the Democratic leaders is
not q lawful adjustment. but a partisan
advantage at all costs and by any means.
But we have still profound confidence in
the patriotism Of Congress.