The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-01-11

stance IN the Whole ElStOry OF cur gov
ernment was return counted against
the objection of either house. Never
once did the president of the senate in
the Joint convention say word as to
whether return to which objection was
made should be counted and never once
did he do an act except the mere manual
act of opening the packages, without
the order OF assent Of both houses of
congress.
The assumption that the president of
the Senate may count the vote and de-
clare the result without the assent of the
House Of Representatives has not shad-
ow OF support in the constitution or on
The precedents of former elections. It
were an usurpation as gross, open and
palpable as for the general Of the army
to name the president by pronuncia-
mento.
The ultra pro.slavery leaders plunged
into rebellion rather than submit to the
decision of the people and surrender
their long hold Of power. The ultra Re.
publican leaders, arrogating to them
selves all the merit Of crushing the rebel
lion and denouncing as traitors three
quarters Of million of Democratic SOL
ders who followed the flag, have for
twelve years. past made political mer-
chandise of the common sacrifices and
triumphs Of the war, and now threaten to
retain power by method not less danger
Gus than secession.
AN impious crew
OF men conspiring to uphold their state
By worse than hostile deeds violating
/ the ends
For which our country is name most
dear"
With 10000 salaried partisans; With
an obedient army and navy at command
with president who recognizes no duty
but to his party and no law but his own
will; they declare by their acts that they
mean to hold power in spite of the peo-
pie, by preventing lawful and regular
declaration of the result of the election.
If permitted to usurp the presidency now
why may they not seize control of the
house Representatives by administering
the Sheridan purge to it as they did to
the Louisiana legislature in 1874. and to
the South Carolina legislature last
month And if the people acquiesce in
that, why need the conspirators ever sur
render power? Will it not be as sweet
four, eight, twelve, sixteen years hence
as now? Will not the army be as strong
and as subservient? Will not the re.
turning boards be as ready and rascally?
Will not patriotic capitalists be as timid
of popular resistance, and monarchial
capitalists be as anxious as now for a
strong government which will exalt mon
ey and degrade manhood
The time to prevent the usurpation is
H0V. The 7Uay to prevent is not by
cries of peace, " submission" "busi-
ness, property" but BY manly re-.
solve to preserve at all hazards the es-
tablishcd order and methods of free
elections. The promoters of this scheme
be they the president incumbent or elect;
be they senators, governors or generals,
are conspiratorsl against law, order and
liberty. Opposition to them is not only
a right but duty. Resistance to usurpa-
ton is obedience to law (Cheers,)
Standing in the door ofthe second CEN
tury of the republican presence of a
danger greater than ever before threat
ened it-representing one half of the
people of Ohio, one half of the men who
fought for the. Union, men who love
peace, but liberty more than peace, let
us resolve to hand down unimpared to
our children the heritage of freedom be.
queathed by our fathers. Let us follow
the paths of peace while peaceful ways
are oper. Let us appeal to the conser-
vative masses, Press and statesmen of
the Republican party to join us in de-
claring that the result of the presidential
election shall be ascertained according
to the forms of law and the usages un.
broken since the foundation of the gov
ernment. and that no mans arbitrary
will and no conspirators trampling on the
law shall seat a usurper in the chair Of
Washington