The Portland daily press., 1879-12-23
frequent enough to put the minority into pow

err.
1t is acknowledged that there are technical
objections to the returns, but permission is
asked to correct returns as the law allows
But the junta of conSpiratorS promptly say the
law is unconstitutional and no corrections can
be allowed. Charges have been made that the
returns OF the minority are correct in spite OF
their large percentage of errors in previous
years, simply because there has been criml-
nal connivance by which errors have been cor
rected To this definite charge made by a re-
sponsible gentleman the Returning Board
made no reply, but clustered about insulting
insinuations of dishonesty. Is there person
in the state daft enough to believe that these
high-minded men, if they had been in the ma a,
iority and if they had found their records full
of errors, would have in Spartan justice count
ed themselves out and their opponents in.
From the elaborate plan, its dramatic devel-
opment and vital connection with purposes
seen in dim outline, yet only waiting tlttlng
opportunity every intelligent observer VINO
can rid himself of craftsmanship is convinced
that we have seen the completion OF the 1lrst
act in tragedy entitled, death to the IN
ion" If permitted to reach its final conclus,,
ion, the curtain will fall upon dismembered
republic; we shall be no longer nation, but q
mass of struggling and antagonistic communl-
ties given over to bloodshed and anarchy.
At the close of the last Congress | felt that 81
purpose was fully formed in certain minds to
crafty their own ambition, although they fad
to stand upon the PROSTATE form OF our repuD-
lie to do it. ] remarked to several friends VINO
are here tonight that there was not the slight
est use to hold a national election in 1880. The
candidate selected by the convention of the
party in control of Congress will be inaugur-
ated in spite of law, precedent or majority.
The continual pressure upon the vital point III
the controversy between the parties revealed
the objective point of the coming campaign.
By vote upon vote the majority recorded their
protest against Federal supervision OF elections
as unconstitutional. | felt then, and daily
events only strengthen my convictions, that all
this was the preliminary to winning by chlca-
merry what they failed to twin by rebellion. by
protesting against Federal supervision of cleo
tions as unconstitutional they paved tie way
to the rejection of the Electoral and Congress
sional vote OF as many states as would give
them control. Possessing the authority to
count and the opportunity to reject they were
as secure, and are today, as if they We're al
ready installed in office. The willy minds that
have dug this pitfall are now engaged in pre-
pairing the people for the coming catastrophe
Their attention will be engaged by fraudulent
encroachmentS upon the safeguards of our lib
erty like the one which is now agitating this
state. You will observe that the same general
plan is outlined here. which will be fully de-
veloped in the national campaign. TECHNICAL
ties will outweigh the right, land all laws which
stand in the way will be declared unconstitu-
tional and set aside or repudiated. The gov
eminent thus won by technicality in spite OF
law and right will be held by force. The only
remedy then is revolution. The same methods
which can win power can perpetuate 1t. once
let it become established as possible that law
can thus be overridden and law is at an end
We are now face to with the opening move Of
the plot How shall we meet it, is the one
question before which all others pale into lnsig-
nifcance. Let every city, town ana hamlet III
mass meeting assembled denounce this crime
and create such storm of indignation about
the ears of the criminals that they will cry for
the mountains to hide them from the wrath OF
an outraged people. He who uses high office
for unworthy ends is doubiy criminal. He is
guilty of treachery as well as dishonesty.
OF him who has permitted if not connlVed
in this fraud, we have little to say. 1t is Gus
tomary to speak lightly of the errors OF those
who have passed away. We would not be dis
courteous. He is dead.
The most fitting action that the city govern
ment could take would be to hoist the flag at
half-mast, drape the City Hall in mourning
and hold memorial service The city has
lost q respected and honored citizen. nat
adds pognancy to our grief is he has died the
second death, from which there is no resur-
rection Let us erect monument to his mem
ory We should do it speedily; if we wait we
will not waste tho material. We volunteer an
epitaph: "Here lies one who, honored by his
city and state, dshonored both. Governor
by accident, he succeeded in becoming only an
Instrument In an emergency the Common
wealth sought him as the best it could do; the
physician died; the patient survived. Friends
of the deDarted can view the remains at tne
Insane ASYLUM"
What shall we do with the thieves? Honor
them or hang them? Shall we honor them?
Yes, when we honor the sneak-thief, the bur
glar, the highway robber, the assassin. 10
nonor !nose VINO seo uisio 1iioa nd diShon9
est t.''''o
Shall we hang them? Not with rope, that
would immortallze them: Ihey are nov sEs
oou,. VI e. i,r,ortsIi2os baJ noen Who have
the courage of their convictions. 1t only drops
into oblivion with contempt the instruments 1t
mas USED. we are In favor nl nai s .ned'
Rnrr DAVIS and q host Of others. ONLY labe
them unknown" "They were willing to be
used; they were our tools; when through with
!eli mo 'it ~ ' sad ~ ic,i,t airaady he
Gins TO darken the skies and veil the earth.
what Of the night?" you ask. 1t may be
much in tears and blood. But the sun will