Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-01-11

' -, Lenn), Little (Dcn.,
s.-4sn itep., Pa, Cowherd
e. -. 81, Sulloway (Rep., N. H.,
Low Rep, n. ". In defense of the
law-Messrs. Mccall rep, Mass. and
l..-itfr Rep, y. j..
elected as Republican, who this week
first casts his vote against Mr.. Hanna
(if there be one) will have the distinc-
tion Of making the first example of such
perfidy in his party's and, as we believe,
in his country's history. The infamy
of such breach of trust, should it oc-
cur, would thus first stain the fair name
of our beloved state.
1--WE feel justified in appealing to all
the people and to all in public authority,
without regard to past or presenAparty
affiliations or sympathies, to stay this
threatened blow. 1t would be the Sc
verest ever administered i'll civil affairs
against our governmental system.
sit would constitute plain violation
of the spirit if not the letter of the
Ohio. constitution, which members OF
the general assembly and state officials
have taken solemn oath TO support.
"The bill Of rights constitution,
article 1, section 81 provides:
The people have a right to assemble
together in a peaceable manner to con-
suit for their common good and ito in
struct their representatives. The people
of Ohio sending Republican representa-
tiyes tel the general assembly have in
structed them to vote for Senator Hanna,
not only in the state convention, but in
district and county conventions, by COM
mon understanding, and III every form
instructions are ever given. vote
against, or to induce a violation Of such
instructions is a crime against our lnstl-
tutions, and subject to constitutional
limitations, should be made a felony
under our statutes We are 1oath to be-
heye that personal hate, actual or fan
cied grievances, or other motive can
thus induce members to violate the fun
damental law.
cit is not alone for Senator Hanna,
nor for or against any other individual
that we make this appeal to the Repub-
hcan members of the general assembly.
1t is not a question Of persons. 1t is
not even a question of parties 1t rises
high above both and involves the con
servation of our republican system Of
government. The simple question is:
Shall the people rule as the founders of
our government intended? When the
peoples agents cannot be trusted to ex-
ecute their expressed will, that moment
marks the decadence and fall of the
republic.
I'VE appeal to Governor Bushnell to
exert his influence now to stay this
threatened assault upon constitutional
g3yernment. 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 obligations of good citizenship and
good government, all representations TO
the contrary Notwithstanding and that
he will draw the line of his opposition
to Mr. Hanna, by us all deeply regretted
and unforeseen, at this threatened
breach of high public trust. Our faith
in his Repubiicanism and integrity Of
purpose hithertofore entertained and
not now abandoned, is such as to justify
the hope that he will in unmistakable
terms advise and use his influence in
every proper form against violating the
instructions given by the people to their
representatives. 1t is true he has no
vote in the election of senator. He has
no vote on any other matter subject to
legislative cognizance. Because of that
are we to be told that he cannot properly
express his Judgment on so vital mat
ter as is now involved?
1--WE must reject the reports that any
supposed or actual personal grievances
or other considerations will swerve him
from this manifest path of duty, there
fore,
Resolved first That we condemn,
without reserve or qualification, this
most unholy conspiracy, and protest, in
the name of the people Of the state of
Ohio, against its further progress and
further success.
Resolved further, That we call upon
every Republican member of the gem
eral assembly to be present in his seat
on next Tuesday and by voice, by act
and by vote to carry into execution the
fulfllment of the obligation assumed by
him when elected as such member, and
Resolved finally, That we will well
come most cordially to full cooperation
with us the Republican members of said
general assembly, however, they may
have voted Or acted thus far in relation
to the subject matter of this declara-
ton.