Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-04-16
THE SINGLE ISSUE.

~ "Nuit w Ntii wi tho DohiSNi"s'e
Congress now in session TO keep the
great Constitutional question, to settle
which they are assembled, pure
and simple, unmixed with baser mat
ter. 1t should not be lost sight OF,
nor bc cloudcd by oratory nor vexed
by side issues. The single question to
be disposed Of is this ais danger
Gus, despotic power tobe maintained
in the hands Of tho Executive after
both branches of Congress, the direct
expression Of the popular will, declare
that it must no longer remain there Z"
Upon this point the Democracy, how
ever they may differ among them
selves Upon other points, are absolutely
one. The moral effect of this magnif-
cent unanimity is very great. A per-
feet faith and sympathy, united pur-
pose, the enthusiasm OF grand idea
are more valuable even than party dis
cipline and ingenious party tactics. 1t
fires the hearts of the people. 1t gives
them something to look to--something
to lay hold to--a rock, steadfast amid
the welter of uncertainty. 1t makes
the hearts of the people strong and
light to feel that they are to fgh. on
the issue OF the Republic versns One
man-power. If Hayes and the Rcpub-
lican Committee have the right to send
troops to the polls, TO send armed
squads of Depoty Marshals to the
polls, to control the registrations, the
ballot-boxes and the counting-in with
Federal Supervisors, whose mere word
is more potent than the laws Of the
States, then elections become mere
forms and shams. They were worse
than forms and shams in Louisiana
South Carolina and Florida during the
last Presidential contest They were
open, palpable, shameless frauds
backed up by force. They will be SC
again in 1880 if the Democrats in Con
gress waver. The effect of this Is tC
a minority of selfsecking, ambitious
unscrupulous men pcrpetuity of pow
er to the great danger OF the Republic
of Constitutional and personal liberty
The people now say the laws by which
these wrongs can be wrought must be
repealed, and they must be repealed
right now.
This, as we said, is grand idea anC
one that has given new life, purpose
and energy to the Democracy. Il
ought to be obscured or confused, bu
kept in naked grandeur before thu
people. II, therefore, seems the plain
business Of the present session to pas
with as little delay as possible bills re
pealing the Objectionable laws, ant
send them to Mr.. Hayes for hi
signature. 1t is asserted by those whit
claim to know that Hayes will vet'
them. Then the Appropriation bill
should be passed with the repeating
sections put on again as riders and thei
the day of adjournment fixed and n,
other Legislation be attempted. lfMr
Hayes refuses to sign the Appropria
tion bills as passed by the House ant
Senate upon his head will rest the re
sponsbility of opposing the will of thu
people and blocking the wheels of th'
government Let him, however, dar,
to touch cent of money that has no
been appropriated by Congress to it
specific purpose and he will become
liable to impeachment. If Hayes re
fuses to sign the bills he will plac,
himself in the wrong and put hi
Fraudocracy in greater jeopardy thar
his hattcrcrs suppose. This, however
if it should all happen would make thu
victory of the Democrats in 1880 I
certainty, 1t would be the best lucl
which the Democrats could have TO
the issue to be the people against tn,
one-man-powcr and the man powci
: r. B. Hayes, who owes his scat to th
frauds perpetrated by the system
, which his veto would seek to perpetu
Baltimore Gazette.