Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-01-08

more than the number OF votes, when the
fact was that four persons cast the whole
ballot, but cut out the names of candidates
| for Representatives. The sullivan district
was deprived OF the Republican Represen-
tstlve. on the preteyt that one of the re-
turns gave wrong initial. when the re-
turn Is correct and ''P'' was read as .'B''
In pialn disregard OF the fact. Republican
Newburgh and Corinth arc rejected be-
cause the name of the town was written
only on the envelope, but Fusion Buck6eld
and Brownfeld were counted In spite OF
the same defects.
Now, in the face of such facts as
| these, facts which show the deliberate
reversal n the Will OF the people by plain
usnrpatloo of power-it will not answer
for Governor Garcelon 10 set up the plea
OF strict obedience 10 law. and good inten-
tions. The cases OF plain defiance of law,
To VIII lch have refcrred.-some Of which
even Mr. Gould. one Of the attorneys of
the Governor aud Council, admit were H.
legally decided. and one OF which ash
land) even the Governor himself declares
to have been decided wrongfully, show
the utter groundlessness OF the Governors
defence. What legal justification can
there be for the deliberate nnlllficaiion OF a
law which provides for the lawful correc-
iApi W Az Ast ftItf- on which ttle VIII OF
the people has been overthrow.
AT every step the Governor has refused
TO take the opinion OF the Supreme Court,
which under our system IL the legal Inter
prefer OF laws. Even now. II the Cover
nor believes he has acted legally, he can
show his good faith by asking the opinion
OF the Court on all the points involved.
This the Republicans are asking him to do.
and they will abide by whatever decision
may be reached II the Governor contin-
ucs 10 refuse, his best friends mus. confess
that he Is conscious he has acted Illegally.
The suggestion OF Gov. Garcelon that
the counted out Republicans msy appeal
to tribunal which had been constituted
by deliberate theft. Is too ridiculous to
be pnl forth BY sober men-cspecially In
vies Of the fact that the programme, a.
slready announced by Mr.. Pillsbury. Is
for his legislature 10 lrst elect the Govern
or and State officers, and then take up con-
tested seats and spend the winter invrstl-
gaiing before deciding them. when ju-
rors who have had part OF the stolen
pork iind the thief guilty, then. Mr.. pils-
bury'- legislature II Il is entrenched ln
power. vii! admit Republicans to the seat,
sRatCLed from them.
What shall De done In case the Governor
refuses 10 ask the opinion OF the Court. Il
u not for me 10 suggest. Certain Il IA that
the usurpaiiOn will be resisted al every step
BY every lawful aud appropriate means
wlthn our power. An aroused and over
powcring public sentiment will aid matcri-
ally "a the recovery OF our rights and at
present the duty ot every citizen lies 10
this direction. | firmly believe that the
conspiracy - not 70 finally succeed.
Every patriot sees. or ought 10 see, that
If this usuTpAiion succeeds !; viii become
precedent which msy be invoked here
after by any party 10 power, not only in
Maine but In other States. 10 maintain
their supremacy ~ spite OF any popular
vote. such precedcn, would be fatal
stab a, free Institutions; for when "elec-
lions cease 10 elect" when men In power
may Illegally count out legal votes 10 re-
tain their positions. then we shall have en-
tered upon the fatal road which leads eth
er 20 anarchy or despoti,m
Whatever may happen, rest assured that
the people Of this State, the people ot ihl.
country have not yet sunk 10 the Mexican
lerc'; and when they come 10 fully under
stand what has been done they viii unite
in such a voice OF condemnation "A, will
bury beyond resurrection the men who
have planned this usurpatiou, and the par
ties which approve II.