The herald., 1898-01-11

further progress OF this baneful con-
spiracy and to prevent it's complete and
most important accomplishment. we ap-
peal to every Republican member of the
general assembly, to every Republican
of the state of Ohio and to every person
| interested in the fair name of the state
| of Ohio, to use their influence that fur
| ther progress may be checked and
| thwarted.
We recognize that there is distinc-
| ton between a member of the legisla-
| ture voting against his party nominee
on the organization of that body and
voting against his party's candidate for
| United States senator, which was made
!, by the people in their primary capacity
and ratified by them at the polls. The
one is violation of party duty, the other
breach of the highest trust and vio-
lation of the fundamental principles of
our government, such as has never in
the history of the Republican party oc-
Cured There have been bolts from
senatorial nominees made at caucuses,
but since the nomination of Abraham
Lincoln against Stephen A. Douglass,
more than forty years ago. by the peo-
pie of IllikJis. in state convention, to
that of Marcus A. Hanna by the Repub-
licans of the state of Ohio, in state con-
vention in 1897. there has absolutely not
been one member of the legislature, be
it said to the glory of our common coun-
try who has refused TO ratify nomina
tion so made by the people.
The member of the Ohio legislature,
elected as a Republican, who this week
first cast his vote against Mr.. Hanna uf
there be one) will have the distinction
of making the first example of such per-
fidy in his partys and. we believe. in his
country's history.
The infamy of such a breach of trust.
should it occur, would thus first stain
the fair name of our beloved state. We
feel justified in appealing 10 all the peo-
pie and to all in public authority with
out regard to past or present party affil-
iations or sympathies TO stay this
threatened blow. 1t would be the sever
est ever administered in civil affairs
against our governmental system; 1t
would consist of plain violation of the
spirit. if not the letter of the Ohio con-
stitution. which members of the general
assembly and state officials have taken
a solemn oath TO support
The bill of rights constitutional art!-
Gle l, section 81 provides; The people
have a right to assemble together in a
peaceable manner to consult for their
common good and TO instruct their rep
resentatives.
The people of Ohio. sending Republic
an representatives TO the general as
sembly, have instructed them to vote for
: A,,1I- i,1 ct q .
convention but in district and county
conventions. by common understanding
and in every form that instructions are
ever given. A vote against or to in
duce a violation of such instructions
is a crime against our institutions and
subject to constitutional limitations,
should be made a felony under our
statutes.
We are loath to believe that personal
hate, actual or fancied grievances or
other motives can thus induce members
to violate the fundamental law. 1t is
not alone for Senator Hanna nor for or
against any other individual that we
make this appeal to the Republican
members of the general assembly. 1t is
not a question of persons. 1t is not even
q question of parties. 1t arises high
above both and involves the conserva-
ton of our Republican system of gov
ernment. The simple question is, shall
the people rule. as the founders of our
government intended? When the peo-
ple's agents cannot be trusted to exc
cute their expressed will. that moment
marks the decadence and fall of the
republic.
We appeal to Gov. Bushnell to exert
his influence now to stay this threatened
assault upon constitutional government. |
We, as his constituents, cling to the
hope that he will not fail to heed the
voice of the party which twice elected
him governor, the voice of the mighty
people of the state of Ohio and the OBJ
legations of good citizenship and good
all representations to the
contrary Notwithstanding; and that he
will draw the line at opposition to Mr.. |
lead OF WAR DEPARTMENT |