The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-07-14
VOL. xII.-NO. SO.


Of the case. Brewster was not only defeated
at the polls like the rest; he was besides a
tederal oticeholder, aud the Constitution OK
pressly declares that no such person shall be
appointed an elector. But for the uuruose ~
electing Mr.. Hayes his vote vas worth as
much as all the others 10 get that vote for
their candidate they were required 10 20 firth
er than they went for any OF the rest ana "a
they held; l. That the certifeate of the RI.
turning Board was pYoprio rigore an appoint.
ment. 2. That II was due appointfnent.
though corrupt and dishonest B. phat this
was . vote provided for BY the Constitution,
though the Constitution IN plain words proyi.
ded against IT, iaa
After all, there was but one question before
the commission. Had the American people
q right TO elect their own Chief Magistrate
they had the right. Their ancestors strug.
giea ior It long, fought for il often, and won
u fairly. Being embedded In their Constitu
ton, it cannot be destroyed except bv a foree
strong enough to overthrow the organic struc.
ture Of the Government itself legislative
ennactments or judicial decisions are power.
less either 70 strengthen or impair il. The
legerdemain Of law-craft, the catches Of spe.
eiai pleading, the snapperadoes of practice, do
not help US 70 decide q matter Like this. A
great nation must not be lmpaled upon pin's
point. Precedents which might bind ! Court
OF Quarter Sessions determining the settle
ment OF pauper cannot tie up the hands Of
the Supreme legislature defending fuftda.
mental right OF the whole people. When
Grenyllle, in 1866, cited the authority az al.
vers cases TO show that America might be
taxed without representation, Pitt answered,
II come not here armed at all points. with
the statute book doubled down in dogs ears
70 defend the cause Of liberty. can ae.
knowledge no veneration for any procedure.
law, or ordinance, that is repngnanf 70 reason
and the first principles Of our Constitution.
rejoice that America has resisted SO spoke
the defiant friend OF our race in the presence
OF a hostile earlialaent ten years before the
Declaration OF Independence. And now, af.
ter this long interval of time, we behold onr
greatest right--the right on which an other
rights depend--saecessful assailed In onr
own Congress with the same small weapons
that Grenville used. II brute force had
crushed it out, we might have borne the ra.
lanity with fortitude; but 10 see il circunvent.
ed by knayery and pettifogged TO death, Is too
much tobe endured with any show Of patience
If the majority of that commission ooald
but have realized their responsibility 10 God
and man, Il they could OILY have understand
that in free country liberty and law are in.
separable, they would have been enrolled
among our greatest beneiactors, for thew
would have added strength and grandeur u
our institutions. But they could not come mn
to the height Of the great subject. Parry
passion SO benumed their iacukies that finn.
damental right seemed nothing to them when
it came in conflict with some argument sun.
ported by artificial reasoning, and drawn from
the supposed analogies Of technical proee.
dure The Constitution was, in their iade.
menti Outweighed by void statute and the
action Of a corrupt Returning Board.
Let these things be remembered by our
children; and II the friends Of free
government shall ever again have such a con.
test, let them take care how they leave the
decision Of it TO tribunal like that which be-.
trayed the nation BY enthroning the Great
Fraud of 1876.