Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-06-29
The Y,ennsyIyania Opposition.

The Republicans OF other States have no
very extravagant admiration of the tactics of
the Opposition party in Pennsylvania. View
ing matters from distance, and somewhat
in the light Of principle, they fail to appreci
ate the beauties of the tortous policy which
seems to be peculiarly adapted 10 this latitude.
In no other State of the Union is the Oppo-
stion SO thoroughly party of expedients as
in Pennsylvania. Here they do not even
pretend show of uniformity or consistency.
Within a few years, they have been Ameri-
cans or Republicans or American Republicans
or the Peoples Party, or anything to suit the
necessities Of the hour. While the Republi-
cans of Massachusetts boldly declare Shat
naturahzed foreigner shall not exercise the
right of suffrage, and while the Republicans
of Ohio, with equal bolduess denounce this
proscriptive measure The Opposition OF
Pennsylvania, with characteristic and polite
cowardicc, say nothing at all about it Neu-
trality is their policy. The expression of
decided opinion would cause IN immediate
rupture, And this negative policy does not
proceed from the want of opinions or feelings
on the subject OF the Massachusetts, amend
nnent, but because there is no approach to
uniformity in their opinions. No doubt that
many members of the late Convention would
have beer willing to endorse the Massachu-
setts doctrine, and many others were eager
70 place themselves on record against it =
But an open expression of opinion dld not
suit the oh hush keep dark |! policy of the
Opposition. To say anything on this ques-
ton would have been to introduce a cause of
distraction, and 10 interrupt that delightful
harmony which is the main object Of the
Opposition managers TO promote. To secure
will Sl,
compounded of political fragments, that the
dexterity of the chief cooks can man ufacture
This infexibility of opinion is feature in
the character of Opposition politicians in this
State. Go to New York or Ohio or to any
of the Western States, and there is no diff
Guilty in determining whether politician
belongs to the American or Republican party
But in Pennsylvania there are few who stand
distinctly upon one side or the other The
county politicians are Republicans Or Ameri-
cans. just as occasion requires. At one mo-
ment they lean to this side, at the next to
that In 1854 and '55 they were staunch
Americans to man. In 1916 they were
nearly .all Republicans In 1857 and '5S
they occupied medium position, ready to
embrace the party most likely to win, and in
the year 1889, their doubts are not yet dis
PEELED, nor their minds entirely clear, which
would be the better course-to become thor
ough Seward Republicans, or to try tie new
expedient of National Peoples Party
The wavcring, negative Opposition party
are rejoiced if they can keep together from
year to year, even at the expense of the con-
cealment or compromise of important princi-
pies. We have much rejoicing at this time
from the Opposition press, because the fac
tions of their party agree to adhere for one
more year upon the platform adopted at this
place, Before the Convention assembled,
there was mach apprehension, least the frag
ments would fall to pieces. But much to
their relief, the disaster did not happen, 1t
is somewhat ludricrous to see the Opposition
rejoicing because the question of their differ
ences has been put of to the year of the Pres
iden,ial election. Do the Opposition mana
gers. suppose that they avoid explicit
declarations respecting the great tories agisa-
ting the public mind as easily next year as
they do this? They will be compelled to
abandon their negative, do-nothing policy
They will be forced to say directly whether
they are for or against Congressional inter-
veution in the affairs of the Territories
whether they for or against the principle
of popular sovereignty they are for
or against the Massachusetts, amendment
whether they are for or agaius: the fugitive
slave law-whetber they for a National
Peoples party candidate for President, and
against Seward, or for Seward and against
the National organization. These are among
be settled some time, and we certainly have
no reason to regret that their settlement has
been deferred until next year.-Patriot and