The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-09-18
PennsYIvnnia InsuIted.


Pennsylvania InsuIted.
FROM our knowledge of the class of men who
were to manage the Antietam celebration
yesterday, we did not expect much loyalty or
much courtesy, but even our estimate OF Mr.
johnson fell far short of its realization. BY
his conduct he heaped a deliberate insult
on the proud State of Pennsylvania; he did
so In a pointed and obtrusive manner, and
by so doing has indirectly insulted every oiH-
zen of our Commonwealth. We cannot calmly
lock at the conduct of the President yesterday.
We have too much State pride, we love Penn
sylvania too dearly we are too fond of her dig
nifty, and cherish too highly sense of what
is due to her honor, to tamely let her be
sighted even by a President. The ceremonies
were, taken altogether, what we antioi-
pated. Let our readers look at his con-
duct. The Grafton was concluded, and the
crowd called loudly for Governor John w.
Geary. The sympathies of the loyal masses, O.
the serried ranks that had stood on that ground
five years before, were not satisfied with the
address of Governor Bradford. They wanted
some declaration of those principles which hal
hallowed the site of the monument. But the
programme, arranged by Johnson clique, had
been intended to prevent the utterances of any
but those who were slaves to the Presidential
policy. The "gag' was strong one, but the
people threw the schemes of the politicians to the
winds, and loud and long calls for our Governor
filed the air. Finding it impossible to proceed
unless Geary made speech, the leaders of the
maneuvre called upon the Governor and re-
quested him, as favor, to quiet the tumult
of the multitude. He did so, by requesting,
as favor to himself, that the programme
might be carried out. Then, and not till then,
did the crowd consent to hear Mr.. Johnson.
The contrast between the reception meted out
to the two must have been painfully
apparent to the would-be aut0crat.
One the head of the nation, the other the
head of State; and the National Executive
thrown aside, while honor was heaped upon a
local officer. The lessons taught are not to be
mistaken-the highest officer, without prin-
ciple, is less respected than the lowest if he be
a sober, honest, and patriotic man. In return
for the courtesy of General Geary, how did
this elegant Chesterfield behave! He gave full
evidence of his early education. 1t needs no
maudlin humor to have him prove
that he was of the "poor white trash"
and that he spent his best years in
their society. The moment he had finished
his speech, and as Governor Geary rose
to address the crowd, the President with
his suite retired from the platform, and left the
vicinity. The Governor of Pennsylvania was
not worthy of their attention. What did they
care for him, even though he did represent our
great Commonwealth They had said all they
desired, and now was a chance to insult our
Executive in the presence of that crowd
which had been calling for him. And they
hastened to avail themselves of it. But the
attempt only rebounded on themselves, and
the wild enthusiasm which greeted Geary
testified that the throng did him the more
honor because of the attempted Executive
insult The truth of the matter is, that the
President visited Antietam to make political
harangue. He had the whole programme
arranged to use the occasion for political effect.
But the voice of the people prevented the
consummation of the scheme. His speech
was cut short by the evident preference fol
Geary, and, enraged, he endeavored to insult
our Governor, and through him the State. Ii
October Pennsylvania will show whether hel
proud spirit, which never yet brooked an in
suit, will tamely receive it from this ill-man
nered mailman of Tennessee.