The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-01-14
Geary,s Boasts and Blunders.

In his late annual message, which we fur
nish our readers in the for M of an extra to
day, Gov. Geary, after speaking of the re-
suits OF the late civil war at home, thus al
ludes to its wonderful effects abroad:
Hardly less magical has been the effect up
on other nat tions. General Grants election has
confirmed the hopes of our nation s friends and
the fears of is foes in the Old World. 1t sup
plements and seals the verdict of arms and the
progress of republican principles. The down
fall of the Rebellion in the United States was
quickly followed by the great civil revolution
in England; the peaceful expulsion of the last
of the Bourbons in Spain; the unrest OF Cuba;
the concession of more liberal principles III Ger
many, and the necessary acquiscence of the
Emperor of the French in the republican sentl-
ments he fears even as he has betrayed them.
What are these but the echoes of the dire ca
tastrophe that has overwhelmed the aristocracy
of the United States?"
If Geary was ever suspected of being the
author of his own messages such far fetched
conclusions as the foregoing would not cause
any surprise. But that the man who does
write them could publish such nonsense and
twaddie is beyond comprehension. The re-
belion collapsed in April, 1s65-three years
and nine months ago. What "great cirI
recoLution in England" quickly followed that
event, as he declares, is not very apparent.
Under the late Reform bill. passed only a
few months ago, some men now vote in Eng
land who never voted before. This is the
extent Of the "great civil revolution" in that
country, and no more, save that one set Of
politicians went out of office and another set
in Rnf
anything like it. There lUas revolution in
Spain in September last-about three years
and FIVE months after the close Of our rebel
lion. But there the effect was too remote
from the cause. Besides, he who does not
know that the revolution in Spain was the
logical result OF long existing grievances is
not very familiar with the history of that
country for the last fifteen years. Although
Queen Isabella was expelled from the throne
the indications now are that the monarchy
will be re-established with some military
chieftain at its head. That would not be
saying very much for the effect Of our late
"unpleasantness" on the democracy Of Spain.
Precisely what is meant by the "necessary
~ leqUtcSCcHCe " dtC G"pe|" " t1o 'CftC'' t'
republican sentiments'' is painfully obscure.
The French people have failed thus far to
"see it," although it is as clear as mud to
the active intellect of Pennsylvania's "Chev-
aier Bayard." Geary might. with as much
wisdom, attribute the recent magnificent
eruption of Mount Vesuvius, or the late ter
rible earthquakes in South America, to the
moral effects of the rebellion as to claim for
in for it in Europe results which originated
from other and entirely different causes.
The following extract from the same mes
sage, but on different subject, is worthy of
reflection. After urging the passage of an
other Registry law which the Supreme Court
cannot pronounce unconstitutional, the fol-
lowing tub is thrown out to the Radical
whale:
. Every proper facility for the naturalization
of citizens of foreign birth should be afforded;
but the Legislature, in its combined wisdom,
can surely enact some mode to prevent the DOS
sibiity of a single vote being cast upon spur-
Gus naturalization papers, and thus fully secure
the purity of the elective frrnchise."
When Geary read this passage iu the mes
sage prepared for him, and when bis thoughts
reverted back to an incident which occurred
at the election in Washington township, in
this county, in 1914, and in which he was a
prominent actor, we wondered whether he
did not feel as though he was unconsciously
passing judgment upon himself.