Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-09-30
ABOLITION TESTIMONY AGAINST
GOV CURTIN

against OuuNe iNWN ~ We lltfNmN iNN
editor Of That sheet will not object II we
produce the saying Of the Gua7i ms
authority In showing up thc iuiquitous
transactions Of Governor Curtin,
The Gascat Is the leading Abolition
journal in Western Pennsylvania, and Of
course must be good authority when
speaking Of its own porlimn leaders, In
its issue Of the Goth Of July last it thus
spoaks Of "parly morality and party sue
cess" and of the "foldicr's frond"-Gov.
Curtin
Party Maaily and Party Success.
"Wo hear m occasional complaint from
other parts Of the State, Of the freedom
with which wo have been dealing with
the Governor. The objection is no: that
facts stated by us are not true, but that Il
is highly impolitic TO state them .frM
because he Is q Republican iuncliopmy !;
and Scc0adiy, because il is at least q p0sSI
Bile case, that the Convention about 10 as
semble here, might present him as a can
diIate for reelection.
swer, that although elected ~ the party,
we are by no means sure that, looking TO
his tastes and surroundings, that if we are
in some sort responsible for his election,
it only imposes upon us the duty Of ma
king amends by an honest confession, and
endeayoring to prevent the recurrence Of
a like injury to the party hereafter.
To the second, we reply that we do not
regard his nomination ms q possible CON
tingency, in the face of such a record as
we have furnished In the absence OF
these statements it might nave happened.
As the case stands now, it could not with
out supposing in the Convention an absc-
lutte want OF conscience, and an utter
recklessness Of results.
There are politicians, we know, who
would laugh at our simplicity in taking it
for granted that moral considerations
would be allowed to have any weight in
an assemblage of that kind, instructed,
perhaps, in advance, in favor of a particu-
lar individual, or engaged 10y the private
interests of lis members, to favor his pre-
tensions under all circumstances.
We are agreed that the tone ofpolitical
morality Is not always ms elevated as it
ought to be in such assemblages, and that
they are but too often made up, to a large
extent, of men whose perceptions of right
and wrong are as painfully obtuse as those
of the untortunates Of the .teeJlcr sex, who
live by prostitution.
We take it Tor granted, however, that
they will desire success, and to insure
that, ,endeavor, as far as possible, to deserve
it. To accomplish that, howevere, it is to
be remembered that they have TO deal
with n constituency whose moral sense Is
OF higher grade, and cannot be safely
either outraged or ignored-however 1t
may be with their own. 1t is a great mis-
take to suppose that the people are ns in
different as the politicians, 10 the character
of their public servants. A reputation,
at least for honesty, is always AN essential
element Of success. No party is strong
enough 10 disregard il with impunity.-
Republican Government will be confessed
ly failure, when this shall come TO be
considered as immaterial. Look at your
own Governor and Legislature" was the
bitter taunt Of a Southern Senator TO a
Pennsylvania gentleman, month or two
after the repeal of the Tonnage Tax, land
tell me what is TO be the end OF your free
IinstutioGs, and universal suffrage !"
We hope TO succeed at the next cleo
ton, and rU with the exercise cf even
tolerable prudence in the selection ot
candidates. 1t is not so much a question
whom we shall take, as whom we shall no
take. We can elect almost anybody but
the present incumbent. Upon the record
we have shown, it would he tempting fate
and courting defeat, to take any risks on
him. 1t is not necessary that we should
so long as there are men enough of great.
ly superior capacity, who, in point Of per
sonal character, are above exception, nor
do We intend that it shall be done, if we
can help it. We will not be compelled
TO make an issue upon bis Record We
I must decline the battle upon his integrity
as n Public Administrator. We want the
decks cleared for a fair fight, upon the
great question of the day, in which we
cannot afford 10 be defeated. With any
other candidate, we can 60 into il full of
heart and hope. With him, we should
only have an assured defeat, in the way
of com pensation for a violated conscience.
We have, as already remarked, no partial
titles to indulge. no resentments to crafty
and no candidate to serve. We are con-
tent to leave the choice TO Others, with
the single reservation that they shall have
some respect for our moral convictions,
and not ask US to dishonor ourselves 10y
advocating the election of man who has
already so far abused our confidence. Nc
party obligations can compelus to support
a candidate whom we believe TO he dis
, honest, and no valuable service can be
rendered to any party by doing it. Sue
cess itself would be the surest way to ruin
f Another term of such a man as CURTIN
like that which is just ending would
leave US no party to quarrel about"
The following is an extract from al
article that appeared in the same paper oi
25th July last;
" 1t may be, and perhaps is, tie fault o
complexion and temperament. WEAB
AND NERVOUS, TlMID AND VAC
IILLATlNG, as he has ever been, it would
be Impossible TO FIND 4 MAN WIG
Is CONSTlrUTIONALLY MORE UN
. FITTED for a crisis like this, which really
/ a.. 3. a.. IL. =.