The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-05-19

York Tribune 10 declare that his nomination was
a reward for action as delegate 10 the National
Republican Convention" II Mr. Robertson In
his action was influenced by a sense Of duty, II
he voted and acted his honest convictions, 1t iH
difficult to see what claim he has for any reward,
not 10 speak OF such great reward The action
OF which an estimate is thus invite is understood
10 be this: Mr. Robertson aud Iixty. mine other
men accepted from the state Convention q Ger.
tain trust. They sought and accepted the position
OF agents or delegates to the National COnven'
tiOn The State Convention declared that It's
plainly stateo judgment and policy was to be OBJ.
served and supported by those 1t commissioned,
To this declaration all selected as delegates gave
an implied consent, But some OF them in addit'
ion made the 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 a means Of OBJ.
tanning their appointment 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 earnestness
and fidelity, The obligation thus assumed we
understood 10 involve integrity, as much as the
obligation Of one who receives the proxy OF
stoCkhOlder in corporation upon q pledge and
promise to vote as his principal would vote.
Whether Mr. Robertson was or was not himself
found, not ouly by honor and implication, but by
expressly giving his word, became quite imma'
terial In view Of the claim made for him 1t is
insisted that he organized the bolt" or as 1t has
sometimes been stated "he was the leader Of the
bolt" This is 10 say that he invited persuaded,
and induced others whom he knew mad given
their word and had obtained their seats BY doing
SO, to violate their word and betray, not only the
Republicans assembled In the State Convention,
but the Republican, Of their districts as well, who
had trusted in their honor. Whoever counsels
and proCures another to do dishonest or dishOn.
oraDle action must share with that other the
guilt, and should share also the Odium Justly at.
tached to it.
We are, therefore, wholly unable upon whatey.
er ground we put 1t, to see justification for QUIZ
selves should we become parties to using public
trusts which belong TO the people to requite such
service In such modes. But the appliance EN-.
pl0yed to feet the results set up new standards
Of responsibility and invade, as we believe, the
truths and principles on which the separate and
coordinate branches Of the Government stand
A Senator has hie own responsibility. He 10
am emo able to his State and to the body Of which
he Is member. He is bound by his oath to "ad.
wise and consent" on his conscience and udg.
ment before God Whatever or whoever else may
oonslain him, he is TO be exempt from executive
menace or dlsfayor on one hand, and executive
Induce ment on the other. A long Etanding order
OF the House Of Commons has been the declRra.
ton that q member shall suffer expulsion who
even reports the wishes Of the executive head OF
the Government to influence the votes OF mem.
bers. The British Constitution is not more jeRl-
GUS 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
Senator as 1t Is the right or duty Of the Presl-
or the Other II is no more an act Of disrespec or
treason to the nominating power than the verdict
Of Juror or the decision the Judge The idea
that the senate is simply to find out what is want.
ed and then do 1t, we cannot believe safe or ad-
misssble, and thus far no party has dared, or de
scended to set up such test Of party fidelity or
allegiance.
In this instance such prominence has been CIV
ell TO the subject and such distrust been express
ed Of the correctness Of our positions, that we
think 1t right and dutiul to submit the natter 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 we 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 It's creed Of Liberty and right" with reVer.
ent attachment to the great State whose interest
and honor are dear to us, we hold 1t respectful
and becoming to make room for those who may
correct all errors we have made and interpret
Alright duties we have misconCeived We there
fore enclose our designations, but hold fast our
privileges as citizens and Republicans to stand
for the constitutional rights Of all men and all
representatives, whether Of the State, the Nation,
or the People, We have the honor to be very re-
specially your obedieRt servants.
ROSCOE CoNBLIEd,
THOMAS q. PLATT.
To His Excellenoy, Governor Cornell.