The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-12
The Coming Campaign a Contest for
Principles, Not Men.

WHATEVER may be the faults of the Demo-
cratic party-and who, having read its record,
can deny them to be great and almost traitor
ousp--we certainly cannot put among them the
charge of stupidity in political manguvring.
The leaders who control its movements are not
ignorant men nor fanatics they are educated
schemers, and having to deal with throng of
followers having blind confidence in their
ability, have been enabled to keep the party
organization ahoat amid the most disastrous
storms. Their wisdom has never been better
exemplifed than in the manner in which they
are seeking to conduct the present campaign
in our State. Aware, as well as we, that the
record of the Democracy is such that, if it be
kept before the people, certain and utter
defeat must follow, they are seeking skill
fully to divert attention from the party itself,
and centre the eyes of the citizens on their
candidate. With great skill they have selected
very excellent gentleman for the standard
bearer and they now seek to make him
carry the platform, instead, as heretofore, of
making the platform bear up the candidate.
We have sketches of Judge Sharswoed pub
ished in all the journals incidents of his life
and eulogies on his character, but since the
day of the Convention not Democratic paper
in any portion of our State has laid the plat
form before the people. The scheme is trans
parent. 1t is the intention of the wire-pullers
to keep the platform in the background until
the popularity necessary is manufactured from
Judge Sharswood, by means of his personal
character, and then, when the time arrives, the
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safely laid on his shoulders. Certainly very
ingenious device, but one which will hardly
blind the people Of our Commonwealth
who have ever voted for principle, not for
personal favoritism.
A very few words will serve to show that
the design of the Democracy is utterly false
that the fight is not personal one, but one in
which the high issue of national policy is
involved. But whether Judge Sharswood or
Judge Williams is elected is really of no such
great moment to the Judiciary, but our oppo-
nents would seek to use legal victory as
means of gaining prestige in the political
contest of next year. They are urging that
we ought not to allow politics to corrupt our
Judiciary. Yet they know if through this cry
they be successful, the victory will be ascribed
to a change in the politics of the people, and
used as precursor of victory in the Presiden-
tial election. The present contest is as much
political one as the election of members of
Congress, and any Republican who would not
vote for a Democrat as his representative,
should not vote for Judge Sharswood in Octo-
Der next. One is as much question of the
success of principles as the other.
To show that the fight is really one of
national policy, and not of personal character,
it is only necessary to compare the two can
didates. Judge Sharswood is an honorable
gentleman SO is Judge Williams. Our candi-
date is just as learned, just as able, just as
excellently qualified as theirs. No one can
utter reproach against him. The partisan
press, never noted for sparing flaw in the
character of its opponents, has failed to find
a vulnerable point in which to attack his
character. They tell us that Judge Shars-
wood is good man, and that even the Repub-
lcans can find no fault with him personally.
We grant it willingly, but add that Judge
Williams is just as good, and that the Demo
cracy can detect no spot on which to make an
assault. So far as character is concerned one
candidate is just as good as the other. Both
are sound, upright, learned and experienced,
and either would doubtless, personally, be an
ornament to the Supreme Bench.
But in addition to personal merit in which
we certainly have an equality, our candidate
stands far ahead OF his opponent, in live
appreciation of the issues and wants of the
day, and firm and tried patriotism. in ,vbiol,
in our darkest hours he was never found
wanting. Our nominee is fully able to prasr
the great progress made within the past decade
and having heart full of sympathy with aa =.
vanoement and freedom, win not ignore the
decision of the war, and debate questions
settled by the sword. In Judge Sharswood',
ability to grasp such issue we have no conf
dence. He dates his logic in ante-war days
and stands by exploded theories long sine
cofined by the decision of the bayonet
Having thus an equality in personal merit
and superiority in sympathy with the lvin
present, the intelligent voter should look care
fully TO seek cause for supporting one and or
posing the other And what better guild
can be selected than the political principles
the party which places each forward as its repre-
sentativeG Let the platforms be compared
for in their relative merits the real ground fe
.sunDort must be found. Looking at them di
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