The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-08
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1866.
Our standard Bearer.

sions in the ranks, and sets at rest all Demo
cratic falsehoods to the effect that the days of
the National Union party were numbered.
Although each member of that body had his
personal preferences for a certain candidate,
yet the moment that General JOHN W.
GEARY was nominated all differences of OPT
nion ceased, and the hearty cheers which
shook the Capitol to its base attested that the
choice of the Convention was the choice
the people. Nor is there any reason why
single dissenting voice should be heard, from
the highest to the lowest member OF the Union
party. The personal character and political
record of the gallant soldier who is to lead
our columns through the coming campaign,
and for whose head is reserved the laurel
crown of victory, is such as to win the ad-
miration of all who admire purity, courage,
and consistency in public life. There could
have been no man selected to whom there
could be less objection, and in whose praise
more could be said Among the first to repu-
date doctrine calculal ed to iorce human
slavery on a people desiring to be free, he
displayed while a member of the Demo-
cratic party that utter absence of sel1shness
and stern devotion to duty which has
ever characterized his course both as q SOL
der and a citizen. Undeterred by the GER
tain knowledge that, should he declare his
anti-Lecompton sentiments, his official posi-
tion would be forfeited, he boldly protested
against the policy that would outrage CON-
munity, and ceased to be an officer OF BU-
CHANAN's Administration on that account
Son his return" said the Hon. JOHN CovoDE,
in his speech before the Convention, she said
to me, we will have to fight for the cause Of
freedom, and will be among the first to arm
in its defense.'" And faithfully did he keep
his word. Throughout the whole struggle there
is no name on which there is less tarnish than
that of General GEARY. Ever with his
brigade, never among the loiterers whose
presence indicated the approach of battle, his
bitterest enemy cannot point to one instance
in which he shirked his duty, or failed in its
discharge. Courageous, manly, and uncom-
promising in his steadast adherence to princi-
pie, he has attested the fact that when once
JOHN w. GEARY gives his word, there need
be no necessity OF fearing aught but its rigid
performance. When, therefore, he said last
foIm, and declare my unequivocal belief that
equal justice and protection should be meted
out to ALL" we need have no dread lest the
Wies of the enemy will induce him to deviate
from his words.
The campaign which opens to-day has all
its issues fairly and squarely stated, all its
principles enunciated, and each party has
chosen a representative man. Hon. HESTER
CLYMER, OF Berks county, is as good a De-
mocrat as the party could have selected. With
him there has never been equivocation or de
ceit. He has boldly opposed every measure
tending to aid the suppression of the Rebellion
he has opposed appropriation after appropri-
alton for war purposes; he has consistently
opposed the extension Of suffrage to soldiers;
and it was he and Mr.. WALLACE who made
the bitterest speeches against ANDREW JOHN
SON in 1868. He has made his bed, and
does not fear to lie in it. General GEARY
is also brave and open declarer of bis views.
Too much engaged in conquering the foe
and asserting his doctrines by his acts to
pause and make known his principles by
well-rounded periods, he has, nevertheless
ever shown his hand when necessity de-
manded. The strongest argument that a
man could use on the side OF true loyalty is
to fight and risk his life for it; and we hail
the action OF General GEARY as o lar better
exponent of his sentiments than could have
been furnished in Ciceronian Grafton or a
cold, brilliant scintillaCion, which echoes the
hollow notes OF insincerity.
We, therefore, for every reason possible, en-
dorse the unanimous nomination of General
GEARY, and beneath his lead there can be no
question but that victory will be ours. The
soldiers-that vast body of $4,000 citizens
who exert an almost omnipotent influence
will come up solid under the lead of their
comrade and leader. What might have been
the prospects Of division OF their votes had
a less obnoxious Democrat have been selected,
we know not but the choice of Mr.. CIYMER
has placed our veterans in the position either
of opposing fellow-warrior and faVoring a
man who has ever maligned their motives
and traduced their deeds, or else Of lending
their votes and influence in favor Of friend
and leader, and in antagonism to their con-
sistent enemy. On which side all of them
will go, does not admit of argument. We,
therefore, calmly looking at the prospects
of the campaign, predict for the Union
party the most complete and glorious triumph
which has ever been achieved in our State.
Every county will swell the torrent, until the