The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-05-15
THE RATTLE. THE BATTLEFIELD
AND THE CANDID ATE


/ flict is, shall the Government created
by the Constitution be perpetuated, or
shall it be supplanted by centralized
organism? Subordinate to this and
| connected Herewith are the questions
of reconstruction, of negro supremacy
and of national finance. Radical lead
er> see in these the means to the at
tainment of their great end. States
are cOerced into the support of this pro-
ject; negro votes are valueless but for
this object, and patronage and place,
banks, treasury and financial agencies
are made to lend their powerful infiu-
ence to the preservation Of Radical
rule, to the centraliZation Of the Gov
ernment and the overthrow of the
Constitution. The battle to be waged
involves the vitality of our institu-
tions.
The battlefield in this great strug-
gle, is Pennsylvania. In Presiden-
tial contests for seventy years, the
Keystone has invariably voted with
the majority. Her vote in October
has always been the certain precursor
of her verdict in November. Success
in October is invariably followed by
success in November; defeat in Octo-
Der is the herald of defeat in Novem-
ber. Her voice in October is poten-
tial with other Commonwealth, Ter
-~~cW York an New jersey usually
follow her lead, and always show sym
pathetic action. Our victory in Oc-
tober, 1867, swelled the majority in
New York in November. To lose
the October election, is to lose Penn
sylvania. The loss Of Pennsylvania
is the loss of the battle. The loss of
this battle is the destruction Of the
Government. Here is our ThermOpy-
lac; the "ides'' of October determine
our destiny. To win this contest eve
ry energy should be bent to insure
success every eXtraneous aid should
be yielded us; to compel this victory
our brethren ereyylchere should aid us.
The action of the New York Con-
ventiOn in its selection of candidate,
will be potent init bearings for good
or evil upon our cause, in October,
and that great party tribunal of the
last resort" should heed the voices of
our counseiOrs, and attentiveIy ponder
the views of the leading men Of our
delegation. Pennsylvania is uncOm-
mitted to a candidate. She will sac
rifice to success everything but prin-
ciple We believe that her delegation
will esteem success here in October
vital to success throughout the Union
in November; that they will insist
upon the choice of that candidate who
will most essentially aid Us in carry
ing our State, and that they will re-
sist, with all honorable means, the
nomination Of any one whose ante
cedents or present position will tend
to make that result in any degree
problematical. We believe that they
will regard the prestige Of great
name, or the most faultless party
record, as OF no weight, if it be rem
dered clear that success is IjeOpardized
by the selection Of their possessOr
The hour is inopportune for the re-
quital Of party services or the eIeva-
ton Of party idols. oar first duty is
to save the Government; and we mis-
take the character Of those great men
who are now prominent for the nomi-
nation at New York, if in the spirit
of self-sacriice, they, too, do not say
''eVerything for the cause, nothing for
men," The choice of candidate is
not difficult, when an invincib!e will
for the preservation of the Govern
ment, Il spirit of cordial cooperation
for success and a determination to
sacrifice our personal preferences to
the common good, are brought to the
task. The mass of our Democracy
are deeply imbued with these senti-
ments but they regard success here
as vital prerequisite to final victory,
and therefore they insist upon the
nomination Of one who can assuredly
carry Pennsylvania. There are such
men, both soldiers and civilians, men
OF large minds, thoroughly trained in
the logic of our governmental system
and in the traditions of our party, of
spOtless reputation, of unblemished
party record, and surrounded with
the pristige of success. Give US one
of these, and our march to victory
will be an easy and a triumphant one.
C2edyfeld Republican.