Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1885-12-04
nov. i. r. mosHER,s REPLr.

"a Democrat" seems very much surprised
that lifelong Democrat should be at rati-
fication meeting with Republican Office hold
ers upon the occasion the election of Mitch
ell TO the United States Senate and quite as
much SO that you should give 1t your endorse
ment. He closes by saying that whatever
you and the Judge may think upon this sub
ject, he is opposed to such policy. You,
Mr.. Editor, have given and-'are still able to
give the reasons for your course, but as the
article seems to call for an explanation from
the Judge. he will take this opportunity o
giving one.
The writer of the article evidently belongs
to that class of Bourbon Democrats who are
disposed to pose as martyrs for their principles
with view to future favors from the people or
the present administration and who imagine the
principles consist in following The usages in
stead of the tenets of the Democratic fathers.
| am not able to see that any principle was
involved either in the Democratic members
voting or abstaining from voting for the Re-
publican candidates, ii was simply a matter of
policy and as such l was compelled to ap
prove the course of those Democrats who
voted for Mr.. Mitchell / understand that
this was also the view of the question taken
by those Democrats, in caucus who did not
vote in that direction.
The Legislature was largely Republican in
both branches. AT the regular session, Mr..
Hirsch, a gentleman Of ability and untarnished
reputation received majority of the republi-
can votes but could not be elected either be-
cause he was honest or because he was He
brew. The Democrats took no part in the
election and the legislature adjourned with
out choice. Here was an opportunity for
Ring" management which was not neglected.
A thorough canvass was made, old difficulties
were harmonized and when it was deemed
certain by the Portland ring that their candi-
date would be elected, the special session was
determined upon. Gov. Moody whose chief
ability consists in obeyiug the orders Of the
ring and the corporations they represent, with
all haste issued the proclamation. But one
greater outrage has ever been perpretrated
upon the people of Oregon. The Legislature
at Its regular session having failed TO elect a
senator, common honesty demanded that the
question be submitted to the people at the
next general election, they being the only ar
biters in such cases.
The special session met and it was soon
apparent that the Democrats would not be
able 10 prevent an election as they had done
as the regular session, that the election of
George II. Williams was the purpose of the
session and a foregone conclusion. There
were many reasons why this candidate was
peculiarly obnoxious to the Democrats of Ore
gon. He was renegade, who transferred his
allegiance to the Republican party for the
patronage Of those great corporations who are
al present controlling not only the commerce
but the labor OF the people of the Pacific
coast. By his election we surrendered our
selves without benefit of clergy to those cor
porations of which Senator Dolph is now the
able representative There was still stronger
reason why both Democrats and Republicans
desired TO prevent his election, and that was
because his reputation was smi rched.
1t is not necessary to prefer specific charges
il is sufficient TO say that the Senate OF the
United States with twelve Republican major
ity refused to confirm his nomination for Chief
Justice OF the Supreae Court. although it was
made by President Grant. IF he was unfit
to be member Of the Supreme Bench he was
certainly unfit for senator tits also within
my recollection that Williams whilst once a
pro slavery Democrat in Oregon, and who
oat Hcroded Herod on this subject, since
his apostasy and election to the United States
Senate argued that state could not get out
of the Union and after an honorable surrender
upon magnanimous terms, argued that no Sou
thern state could come into the Unionssave by
re-admission through the infamous re-construc-
ton laws whereof he claims the paternity.
In this emergency the name of John II.
Mitchell was presented by the Republicans.
He had been our senator and although Re-
publican he has never been guilty of the here
sy of Williams, but on the contrary has always
acknowledged the rights and dignity of the
states of the Union. Ii was also TO his credit
that he does not belong TO that class of Re-
publicans led Ex-senator Sherman, who desire
to keep alive the animosties of the late war
as meaSNx Of electing the next President
Your correspondent takes occasion to say
that Senator Mitchell will not keep his pledges.
think this reflection is unjust, as we'll as un-
called for and not worthy of Democrat
know Of no pledges having been made to
the Democrats, nor have / any reason TO be-
lievc that any were made by Senator Mitchell
10 secure his election. But I will say that
knowing that Mr.. Mitchell was in strict ac-
cord with the States-right Democrats upon
the fundamental questions that underlie our
government, the Democratic members of the
Legislature adopted wise policy in securing
his election. L. F. MosHER.