The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-07


ployed the language quoted below
"uRicpsE-Sor a prxocRAuc CONVENTION
''The state Convention which assembled Syracuse on
vedne sday and continued it, proceedings and adjourned
without day vest riay ani which WAS generally
pscted to be AMI WAS considered Democratic con,en
ton appears a. Us undeservns OF that honorrd name
The most alarming violation Of the Constitution that
has taken place since the foundation Of the Govern
ment was the change by the mere action OF the legsa
tive department OF the Government OF the constitutional
provisions Tor the election OF President and Vice Pres
dent the United States This was done by creating
what called Electoral Commission perform Ger
tam functions which, under the Constitution devoved
the two Houses OF Congress Yet the state Convention
tsyracuse had not opinion 10 express this sub
jset-not One word Of condemnation tor this uneonstu
LonAl measure.
The Convention resolved that by an Infamous con.
spiracy Of force fraud the high officials and unrepu.
dated leaders Of ue Republican party annued and re-.
Nersed the nations choice Tor the Presidency and put
defeated candidate IN the chair of wAsuiSGtoN. Ac.
wow, the fraud aud force in the Presidential election
would nave been lnoprrau'e n Tor The violation OF the
Constitution IN creating an Electoral Commission, be
cause the votes obtained by fraud and force would
otherwise have been counted.
Fraud and force are specific individual crimes which
ean be punished AMI prevented. They are temporary
wrongs But an established precedent the overthrow
OIL the Constitution Is the permanent destruction u
free institutions Of the right ot the people To elect their
own rulers which lasts Tor all time Gould there be
more nasitous recreancy 70 duty than the failure to
denim In clear strong, and unnisakahle terms such
iniraeuon VI the fundamental law OF the landf
The platform Is like resolution cen.urins TwEED
but cautiously abstaining from any condemnation Of
stealing.
"ItsA faint fatering nspins resolution breathing IN
uncertain sound when the voice Of the Convention
should have been arucuate and clear aud Its
thunder
- thimbleful to the ocean was the proportion Of
Democracy among the ruling spirits OF the Conviction
The Constitution is the priceless heritage alike of the
rich aud the poor The cowardy failure stand by its
sacred provisions at syracuse must greatly impair aud
may Justly destroy confidence In the fitness the
men who controlled the Convention tor public places of
honor and trust It's the rights OF the people, not
mere names. talAt desire To cherish and protect
Those VINO forget the Constitution forgotten
Syracuse deserve In turn be forgotten by free self
respecting. spirited. and patriotic people
was not. IN a true. exalted, and comprehensive
sense, Democratic Convention
Those who betrayed the Democratic cause
at Syracuse by n tacit abandonment OF the
Constitution, have now experienced the
crushing defeat their trcNchery to constitu-
tonal principles richly meritcd. The horse
and rider are thrown. The King and his
Clown have tumbled in the ditch.
The mistake was made Of supposing that
what Mr. CALHOUN characterized as the
cohesive power Of public plumber" was
sufficient OF itself, TO hold together great
political party and give II victory, and that
all political and constitutional principles
might safely be abolished. Principle mp
peared to the man who ruled the hour of
minor Importance Offices and money bags
were his gods.
The people have corrected this mistake,
They have shown how far exalted in politi-
cal sentiment they are above the pigmies
who assumed 10 be their chieftains
The defeat was deserved.