The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-23
FRIDAY. MARCH 20, 1866.
The Political Prospect.

October next. The party leaders will be
marshalling their forces, and their ranks will
be gradually filling with the good citizens OF
the Commonwealth. There can be no half
way measures, no compromise. Each must
be either with us or against us; and now, at
the very outset of the contest 1t is well that
the doctrines for which each fight should be
distinctly, enUncated. We know that our
opponents have no desire to show their hands.
We know full well that the dubious position
in which they stand is such as would be
strengthened by doubt. But what the peo-
pie want is not idle manifestoes or wild decla.
rations, but PRINCIPLES, and principles they shall
have. The rules of the Republican party
ere clearly enunciated in prolix and specific
series of resolutions. There can be no mis-
taking them. The opposition have also given
us a clear sight of their avowed doctrines,
but the past has record which needs exa-
mining. Let us look at their platform and their
history. They declare admiration for, and
faith in, ''that patriot at the head of our Gov
ment." They fatter, tawn, and cringe before
the executive feet, hoping TO get some of the
crumbs which fall from the rich mans table.
But ANDREW JOHNSON cannot forget the
past. His mind reverts with, to them, most
unwelcome clearness to the declarations of
HESTER CLYMER made in 1858. He re-
members well the title OF " dirty demagogue,"
Ecoarse and grovelling b ute" and the "man
whose course in Tennessee is blot on Ame-
rican civilization" His memory is TOO good to
pass over the accusation then made of the
man whose honesty they now laud, that
''he was bought with power or love of pelf"
Who can wonder, when such were CLYMER's
words, and when his vote and that of his coll
leagues spurned ANDRaw JOHNSON from the
State CaplGol, that this same ANDREW JOHN
SON should to day spurn with conGempt the
sycophants who came to tell him OF CLY-
DIER's nomination, and advise them to go
home and change their man. What wild in
tatuation ever induced the Convention
seeking the Presidents sympathy to nomi-
nate a man who had thus spoken of the Presi-
dent, is to us unknown. 1t would indeed,
seem shat whom the gods wish to destroy
they first make mad"
On the other hand, against General GEARY
no breath oil aspersion can be cast. True it
is that the Democratic organs are casting inu-
endoes and darkly M stsrious hints, that
he once did something in some obscure
skirmish which they could, if they would,
give to the world. But the cause which must
base its claims for support upon vague accu-
sations, with possibly a grain Of truth, and the
root mass OF talsity, must be most weak and
tottering. Let the people remember that
,n ia he tru ia he OF
That lie which is all lie, can be met and Tough
Du' lie which rs artly the truth is harder maj.
ter to tight"
What we want are facts, and we defy the
bitterest political enemy of the General to
adduce single instance in which he has so
acted as to bring blush to his cheek if pub
lished abroad. 1t is the contrast of the re-
cords OF the two men which shows so fear
fully the faults OF the Democratic candidate.
One has been since the first trump Of war in
the foremost of the fight, winning honors
which no one doubts, and risking his life IN
the cause of his State and country. The
olher has remained at home, occupying
seat in the State Senate, and using his official
influence to secure the defeat of all supplies
1Of our SOlulerS III Jn6 uelu. One pFONeu LuaL
he adored and loved the life and deeds of a
soldier by placing himself among the first in
the foremost part of the contest. The other
cast ignominy and shame upon the defenders
of our land by voting to deny them the right
of suffrage when on the field OF battle. One
has long record of patriotic deeds; the
other has a compendium OF semi-secession
votes, and these actions and these votes are
the index of the hearts of the two claimants
for the political honors.
The Chicago Republican pretty well puts
the case, and utters a prophesy in an article
on the "Signs in Pennsylvania" when itsays:-
aBut the great difficulty is with the people.
They have no personal anmosity against the
placabe antagonism to his principles. Tue
SIGNS of this are already 80 conclusive that, as
we have said his withdrawal by his friends is
Justly regarded as almost Indispensable. They
will naturally pretend that the step is taken in
Older to please the President, but in fact 1t is
imperatively dictated by the public sentiment
of PENNSYLVANIA To run him is not only TO
encounter q crushing and mcurable overthrow
in October but to dem0rallze the party and
break it down before the first month of the cam
paign is ended. Therefore he VIII be got out OF
the way If possible, and some one who Is not so
odious TO the people Will be put IN his place."
We hope that the statement of the Rep1lbR-
can is an error. At the time Of the selection
of Mr.. CLYMER we said that his choice gave
4 rT-s "a