The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-18

Convention. II Mr.. Robertson in his action was
influenced by q sense OF duty, II ne voted and
acted his honest conviction, IL is difficult 70 see
snch a great reward The action, of which an es-
timate Is thus invited, is this: Mr.. Robertson
and sixty-nine other men accepted rom the State
Convention certain trust They sought and ac-
cepted the position OF agents OF delegates to the
National Convention. The State Convention de-
clared that its plainly stated judgment and pol
BY those it commissioned. To this
declaration ali selected as delegates
gave implied consent. but several OF them in ad-
dition made most specific personal pledges and
engagements 10 exert themselves in good faith
throughout to secure the nomination OF General
Grant They made this pledge as means OF OBJ
tanning their own appointments as delegates, and
they did as we both personally know, obtain
their seats in the National Convention upon the
faith OF their personal statements OF their earnest
ness and fidelity. rhe obligation thus assumed
we understood TO involve the integrity as much
as the obligation of one who receives the proxy OF
a stOckhOlder In corporation upon pledge ana
promise to vote as his principal would vote.
Whether Mr.. Robertson was or was not him
self bound not only by honor and i'm
plication, but by expressly giving his
OF the claim made for him and ii is insisted that
he organized the bolt or as IL has been some
times stated. ''he was the leader of the bolt"
That is to say that he invited persuaded and in
duced Others whom he knew had given their
word, and had obtained their seats by doing so,
to violate their word aud betray not only the Re-
but the Republicans of their Districts rs well who
had trusted on their honor. Whoever counsels
and procGres another TO do a dishonest or dis
honorable act must share with that other the
guilt, and should share also, the odium justly
attaching to IL. We are, therefore, wholly unable
| ifcation ourselves that should become partie.
using public trusts which belong TO the people tC
require such service or such modes. But the ap
plances employed to effect the results set up new
standards OF responsibility, and invade, as we be
lieve the truths and principles on which separate
and coordinate branches of the Government
is amenable 10 his State and 70 the party of which
he Is member. He is bound by his oath 10 "ad
wise and consent on his conscience and judg
ment before God whatever or whoever else may
cOnstTain him. He is to be exempt from execu-
tive menace or disfavOr OH one hand. and eXecu'
tive inducement on the other. long standing
order of the House OF Commons has been the
declaration that a member shall suffer expulsion
| who even reports the wishes of the executive
| head of the Government to influence the votes oi
members
The British Constitution is not more jealous
than ours in this regard. To give advice, and
honest, independent advice, as to the appoint
ment proposed. is as much the right and duty OF
the Senator as ii Is the right and duty of the
President to propose. He has advice one way ol
/ the other. IL is more an act of disrespect OF
OF Jurors or a decision of Judge. The idea thai
the Senate is simply TO find out what is wanted
and then do it we can not believe is safe or ad
missable, ana thus far no party has dared oil
| descended TO set up such test OF party fidelity
/ or allegiance In this instance such prominence
/ has been given TO the subject, and such distrus
been expressed of the correctness of our position
that we thipk IL right and dutiful to submit the
matter to the power to which alone we are bound
/ and ever ready to bow. The Legislature is In
session. 1t is Republican in majority, and New
York abOunds In sons quite as able as OurSelve:
/ TO bear her message and commission in the
Senate of the United States with profound
sense of the obligation we owe; with devotion to
the Republican party and its creed, Liberty and
| right" with reverent attachment to the grea
| sr.ta-
we hold il respectful and If it be wrong, make
room for those who may correct all records We
have made and interpret Alright all duties We
/ have misconserved We therefore inclose oul
resignation but hold fast to the privilege. cit
zens ana Republicans, TO stand for the constitu
tional rights OF all men and OF all representatives
| whether of the States. the Nation, or the people
| We have the honor TO be, very respectfully you
/ Obedient servants, Roscoe CONKLIEG,
Ties c. PLATT.
1 To His Excellency Governor Cornell, Albany
| n. Y.