Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-05-17

scat Dy OOluX So U NlOA6e0 sAcA wOAu sSuu
betray not only Republicans assembled. in
state convention, but Republicans Of their
districts . we'll, who had trusted in their
honor. Whoever cOunsels and prOcures
another to do dishonest or dishonorable
act, must share with that other the guilt,
and should share the odium justly attach
ing to it. We are therefore, wholly un-
able, upon whatever ground We put it, to
see justification for ourselves, should We
become parties 10 using the public trusts
which belong to- the people, to requite
such services in such modes. But
the appliances employed to effect results,
set up new standards Of responsibility and
invade, as We believe, the truths and prin-
ciples ON which the separate and CO.
ordinate branches Of the government
stand. A senator has his own respOn-
sibility. He is amenable to his state
and to the body of which he is a member.
He is bound by his oath to "adviSc and
consent on his conscience and judgment
before God, whatever or whoever
else may restrain them. He is to be ex-
empt from executive menace or disfavOr
on the one hand and executive inducement
on the other. Long standing ON the
orders Of the House OF Commons has been
declaration that member shall suffer
expulsion who even reports the wishes of
the executive head Of the government to
influence the votes oil members. The
British constitution is not more jealous
than ours in this regard.
To give advice, and honest, independen!
advice, as to an appointment proposed is as
much the right and duty of q senator as
it is the right and duty of the president to
propose the name. Be his advice one way
or the other, it is no more an act Of
disrespect or treason to the nominating
power than the verdict Of juror or the
decision Of judge. The idea that the
Senate is simply to find out what is
| wanted and then do it we cannot believe
safe or admissible, and thus far no party
has dared or descended to set up such a
test OF party fidelity or allegiance. In
this instance such prominence has >bcen
given to the subject and such distrust has
been expressed of the correctness OF our
positions that We think it right and duti
full to submit the matter to the power to
which alone We are bound and ever ready
to bow. The Legislature is in session, it is
Republican in majority, and New York
abOunds in sons quite Us able as We to bear
her message and commission in the Sen.
ate Of the United States. With q
profound sense of the obligations We
owe, with devotion to the Republi.
can party and its creed of liberty and
| right, with reverent attachment to the
great state whose interests and honor are
dear to us, we hold it rerespectful
and becoming to make room for those
who may correct all errors We have
made, interpret Alright all duties we have
misconceived. We therefore, enclose our
designations, but hold fast the privileg, as
citizens and Republicans to stand for the
constitutional rights Of all men and OF all
representatives, whether of the states, the
nation or the people.
We have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your Obedient servants,
ROSCOE CONKLING.
THOMAS &. PLATT.
To his Excellency Governor Cornell.