Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-04-16
ASSUME A VIRTUE IF YOU
HAVE IT NOT"

The Ppsf-InhAiemsr evidently sees
breakers ahead upon which the <. o. p.
IS sure to be wrecked in 1892. Suddenly
it has become the advocate Of Govern
,nent bv the people," at the same time
osesecing great calamity in the elec-
len of democrat to the office OF presi-
den, OF the United States:
THE New England idea OF popular cleo
TONS. as illustrated in the latest guber-
material contest in Connecticut, New
Hampshire and Rhode Island, is man
Testify fraught with grave danger in con-
tingencies that are very likely to arise.
IND the same or greater dangers, on n
broader field, are involved in the similar
rule governing our choice cf president of
the TInit.d states. =
Ii is clearly safer to adopt the rule which
controls in most the states, of seating
the candidate who receives the largest
support"
1t is clear The Pr sees no possibility Of
a candidate ii the republican party be-
ing the choice OF he next electoral col
leye, otherwise it certainly would not
have allowed itself to be worked into Il
passion Of indignation at the prospect Of
the highest office in the land being held
by one VINO was not the popular choice ::
that is the only objection makes to the
present mode OF choosing the president.
Rut in the meantime this righteous adj
vocate of popular government has forgot
ten that the popular voice has long since
condemned republican principles ana
methods; that in 1855 the defeated can
diiate for the presidency received an
overwhelming majority OF the peoples
votes, and according to its doctiae,
should now, rs the recipient OF the
Largest support" be discharging the
functions OF that high office; that the
democratic party is stronger today than
it ever was, and that the very innova-
ton suggested would be assented to by
all members OF that party, because it
would place the machinery of govern
ment firmly in their hands.
TIE democrats have an assured victory
in 1882. Besides having the choice de-
volve on an Overwhelmingly democratic
house, in event OF the electoral oolleg.
falling to elect, they have within their
means the power Of securing large
majority ii the electors under Article II,
section l. Of the constitution, p'ovid
ing ior the appointment OF presidential
electors:
Each state ShSll appoint Is, sssS ssa~n<v
is ~ l,ssa,e.A-s ssssssf rssr s:isses, number
OF electors equal To the whole number ci
senators and representatives TO which
tie state may be entitled in congress /:
but no senator or representative. or per
son holding an office Of trust or profit
under the United States, shall be az
Nsvsssssi an elec,or.
Thus the legislature Of the respective
states under the constitution o; the
United states. have the right Of direct
ing the appointment ri the electors. or
they may with ,Srf,ss consistency APP
point them. Ii the democrats choose 10
avail themselves OF this power. rs they
have perfect right 10 90. their susScss
is assured seyead pssa,isentare.
II requires no extraordinary powers of
perception 10 sec that there is ahsolutels
no hope for sao>ess ior the republicans
in lS9s. That party viii never recover
frcm the cyclone by which 1t was over
whelmei and rehukea las, TALL. The
leaders within the .arty's ranks fully
realize this, and As they peneive their
followers scattering Ike leaves before a
winters Wind, they are prone 10 raise
some howl similar TO tina, Of the Pl to
create the impression that the democrats
are suppressins poplar government.
when. in truth, they themselves are in
Office by persistent gerrymandering With
that end in view.
The F{will be viewed with suSpi-
csous eve in It's new role.