The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-11-03


Hon. Stanley Woodward has just IS
sued an address to the Democrats Of
L,lzerne county, which we commend to
the consideration of the party every
where. Mr.. Woodward shows that 5000
Democratic votes were not polled at the
recent election in LuEerne county. Such
is the story in all the heavily Democrat
ic counties. The Democracy must or
ga1ai=e and thatspeedily. What is worth
doing at all. is worth doing well. If
we have faith in our principles, let that
faith show itself in our practice. There
is no use in complaining of the past, or
inspeculating gloomily upon the future.
Orr success depends upon ourselves. If
Democrats wouldres0lre tobesuccessful,
If they would be willing to make some
personal sacrifices, if they would, in
short, be in earnest, the administration
of governmental affairs would soon a.
gain be restored to Democratic hands.
But some say, "Oh! it's no use TO vote; !;
Wen be defeated any how" Others,
"Oh! our county ticket is safe without
ouEvotes!" Sowhen clection-day comes
around, these gentlemen stay ut home
and the result Is, their opponents carry
the State. For shame's sake. how long
shall this be the case" Read Mr.. Wood
wards suggestion TO the laSgards in
Luzerne:
To the Democratic Tot7s Of L1ta7me
County:
We have just emerged from a pOliti-
cal contest, the result of which is not
tlattering to our organization, and i'll
which we have suffered chiefly from
our own neglect.
1t is not to be doubted that Venality
and corruption will account for our los
ses in certain localities, when professcd
Democrats stood at the polls with false
tickets, and handed them to unsuspect-
ing voters, who were thus betrayed into
the support Of men whom they SuppUs-
ed themselves votingagainst. This kind
Of treachery should consign its abettOrs
to the contempt Of honest men of all
parties.
But we must reproach ourselves most
| for another reason. Ne did not bring
ola the r0te. Look at the figures. The
Democratic vote Of LuEernc county, at
| the gubernatorial election Of 1858, was
| 9.S0S, at the presidential election, last
| wear, it was 9,;J4l This year it is 6 ,9l3.
! Making due allowance for the inevita-
! bic variations in the vote of such acOun-
| ty, this falling off must be attributed to
sheer apathy. If this is not broken, and
| the Democracy aroused from its present
| lethargy, We may expect to see ourcOun-
/ ty Republican next year. Our prestige
| once gone, defeat will succeed defeat,
| until we shall find ourselves in per
t manent minority. To avert this disas-
| ter, suggest the following plan of or
! ganization, and do it publicly, because
/ we have nothing to fear from bold,
| straight forward action:
ist. Let the Democrats of each town.
ship be enrolled This can be done by
one or two men in the district, whOmay
write out a full list Of the names of thC
| voters known 10 be Democrats, and for.
! ward it to the chairman of the cOupty
| committee. Where there are seVcra
/ voting districts in township, the, en-
! rnlInaent should be by districts, ir4etcU,
/ of townships.
ID. When the list is completed, let {
meeting be called for each district t.
adopt such form of organization as shal
be deemed best, being careful to hav,
! one responsible, activeand reliable Dem
Ocrat rs its executive officer. As sOOr
rs chosen, the chairman Of the county
committee should be furnished with hi
name and post office address.
! feel assured that by adopting thf
very simple plan suggested, we shall N
able to place ourselves beyond the dan
ger of further defeat, and shall do mucl
10 purify our party Of the corrupt anC
worthless hangcrS-On. who never serve
the Democracy except when paid to dl
50. and WhO0tj trracherOus friendship i
far more dangerous than open enmity
Let Us arouse from our present indilfer
; ence, and be ready to meet the great is
sues which are before US. The future i
full of questions which concern Us. !
, we do our dutynoW, the old Democracy
will rally like giant out of sleep, anC
at the next election regain its anCien
: supremacy. II We fail now, with tht
lesson Of last week fresh before US, Ou
county and our Congressional distric
: will be added to the roll Of the part,
whose rule is ruin.
STANLEY WOODWARD,
Chairman OF the Democratic Standing Committee