The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-08-04

ters Of Attorney General Nash and
Gov. Foster, and a short account of
Gen. Hurst's speech at the Loveland
camp-meeting, were prepared for last
weeks paper, but they were crowded
out:
ATTORNEY GENERAL NAsH's LETTER.
Columbus, o., July Is, 1881
Rev. A. C. Hirst, Columbus, O.:
MY DEAR SIR-Your very courteous
letter of yesterday has been received.
In it you say that "the temperance
people, as voters, greatly desire to
know your (my) personal views con-
cerning the full meaning and purpose
of the plank in the Republican plat
form on that (the temperance sub
ject."
My understanding in regard to the
causes which led to the adoption by
the Cleveland Convention of the reso-
luton referred to by you, and its
meaning and purposes, is as follows:
During the last session of the Gen
eral Assembly very many citizens of
the State asked the enactment of what
is known as local option law"
This measure was assailed as being in
conflict with the Constitution Of Ohio.
It's defeat was, in part, due to the
doubt entertained as to the validity of
the proposed legislation by some
members Of the Legislature. Other
citizens were of the opinion that the
General Assembly should, by law,
impose special tax upon those deal
ing in intoxicating liquors. Such
measure was proposed and defeated,
largely because many members believ-
ed that "a special tax" would be to all
intents and purposes license" and
therefore in violation of the Constitu-
tion. When these difficulties were
met, public sentiment arose in favor
of so amending the Constitution as to
remove them and unite the hands of
the General Assembly. Recognizing
this feeling and believing it to be just
and right, the Republican party
pledged itself to remove these consti-
tutional and vexatious doubts by sub
mitting to the people such amend
ments to the Constitution as would, if
approved, enable the General Assem-
bly, to deal with the liquor question in
such manner as the public welfare de-
mands.
You also ask whether | indorse the
fourth resolution adopted by tFe
Peoples Temperance Reform Conven-
ton, held in Columbus May Is, 1881.
This resolution contemplates politi-
cal action outside of the Republican
party, and makes it the duty of its
indorsers, in a certain contingency, to
vote against regularly nominated can
didates Of the party. While the pres
ent political divisions of the people
continue, all needed and proper re-
forms will be most speedily and GER
tainly effected by maintaining the
integrity and organization of the Re
publican party. AS member Of that
party I can not agree to vote against
its candidates, and for this reason can
not indorse the resolution.
[ believe most earnestly, too, that
the welfare of our State and Nation
requires the continuance OF the Re
publican party in power. This can be
secured by the united support of its
adherents. | have not the time, and
perhaps this is not the place, to state
fully nv reasons for this belief. l
do desire to call attention to the fact
that the next General Assembly will
have the power to change the political
complexion of the next National
House of Representatives. With that
House in the hands Democrats our
good President may be confronted
with hostile Congress. We recog-
nize the fact that he is purifying the
public service and in his zeal wrongs
have been unearthed that even Dem
ocratic Committee of Congress did not
have the skill or courrge to grapple
with. While engaged in this work
Garfield was stricken down by the
bullet Of a crazed assassin, and has
the sympathy Of all the people. The
most cruel blow that could be given
to the man whom we love would be tc
throw his own State into the hands OF
the Democracy and deprive him OF the
f support Of Congress.
We should hesitate long, and con
E slider carefully, before consentlng t.
give this blow.
+ With very high regard, | remall
i n,oCt oordia11v vourS