The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-18

electoneer against him. "Qut sobblng, my dear"
responded the sturdy Dutchman; 81 will go too,
about O'Clock, and If he abuses me will lick hm
Having entered into the political strfes Of the
period, he rose rapidly to prominence, but in 1923, on
retiring from the House, he was defeated as the
Whig candidate for the State Senate in his district
lie then entered the Gubernatorlal field, and was
twice defeated as candidate for the highest office
In the commonwealth before a split In the opposition
ranks presented the opportunity which resulted In
his election At this period the State so hope
leshy Democratic that the agitation Of the old issues
gave no prospect TO their opponents of hurting them
from power. In this dilemma the anti-Masonlc
movement was originated, Thaddeus Stevens be-
coming ts Inspiration, while Ritner was its ostensl-
bic leader Some OF the most intimate friends OF the
latter were connected with the Masonic organiza-
tion, and he always claimed that he entertained
no personal animOslty against the members
OF the order, being simply opposed to Masonry as a
system, because he believed It's machinery to be
liable TO abuse in the hands OF ambitious and de-
signing men, and in this way danger to the free
institutions OF the country His connection with the
anti-hasonic movement was the source OF much
hostility to him during each OF his candidates., and
ultimately led to his defeat in 1888, when he was
candidate for reelection. But It served to rally
around him formidable party In the State at time
when II was morally impossible to make a success
full stand against the overwhelming tide OF Demo-
cracy on the ordinary political Issues.
Ills lirst nomination for the Governorship was re-
ceived in 1899, with opposition to Masonry as the
most prominent plank In his platform Three years
before, Governor Schulze had been elected
by an almost unanimous vote snow
ing how complete was the demorall-
cation OF the opposition Rltner received nearly
fftytwo thousand votes, but George Wolf his Demo-
cratic opponent had majority of over twenty-siX
thousand. In 1882 he again became the anti Masonic
candidate for Governor, receiving 49, 165 votes while
Wolf who was candidate for reelection had OIL 335
votes, and majority of 3170 The strength Of the
anti-Masonlc movement at this time Is shown by the
fact that, while Andrew jackson the same year re-
ceived almost many votes Wolf, his three COM
petitors for the Presidency were able to rally but
sixty-six thousand of the voters Of Pennsylvania
around them. The Democracy, however, failed to
profit 10y the lesson which the Coseness Of the vote on
the GOvernOrship should have taught them, and in
1885 there was a split in their ranks. Wolf had
already held the office for six years, and aspred to
third term. The patronage at the disposal of the
Chief Magistrate Of the State was much greater
than under the present Constitution, nearly all
the county officers bel ing subject to his appointment
All the Democratic politicians who had failed to
secure the cor OF Governor Wolf therefore arrayed
themselves against him and camored for change
A strong opposition to his reelection
also sprung from his devotion to the
cause of popular education, OF which
he was one OF the earliest and most steadast advo
Gates, and virtually the father OF our present ad-
mirsble public school system The opposition to
VOLTS reelection in the Democratic ranks was CEN
tired upon F. A. Muhenberg a member OF one of
the most arstocratic families in the State, and,
aside from his enmity to the cause of popular edu-
cation, OF liberal views Ritner for the third
time received the anti-Masonic nomination, and the
vote STOOD for Ritner, 94023; for Wolf g. SOL and
for Muhlenberg, 40,596. Although Ritners vote was
over twelve thousand less than the combined vote
of his two opponents, he became Governor by virtue
OF his plurality OF twenty-eight thousand
Among the first of the noticeable actiOng which
distinguished his administration was the noble stand
taken by him the slavery question. At that time
the slave oligarchy Of the South welded supreme
power throughout the country, and 1t was quite as
unsafe to avow sentiments in opposition to Che pc
cular institution" in the free State of Pennsylvania
as in any of the slave marts of the South But the
sturdy Dutch Governor Of the State was beyond the
reach Of fear aud in his message to the Legislature
in 1886, aVowed his purpose to "bend the knee no
longer to Baal." Whittier commemorated this first
Official protest against the inquity OF slavery In
of the most earnest of his anti-slavery pOems COM
mencng with the following stanza:-
THANK G cd for the token!-one lip is still free
One spirit untranmelled-unbendins one knee
Eree Free ss %hen U the multitude bends to the storm
o@ed ttSGI % to do SSa With God
When the recreant North has forgotten her trust,
Thank God that one from the shacEio has BROKEN
Thank God, that one man, freeman, has spoken"
Thaddeus Stevens was universally regarded as the
keeper of the Gubernatoral conscience of Ritner,
and doubtless inspired, even if he did not write, the
MESSAGE but it required no small amount of courage
and conviction to assume the responsibility for these
noble words and to that merit at least, Ritner has
unquestionable claim.
The great United States Bank question also
figured prominently during his term of Office Presi-
dent Jackson having vetoed the bill extending the
charter of this institution the Legislature OF Penn
sylvania, in 1886, granted charter under which the
bank continued its operations until its final suspen
sion in october, $780, When Governor Rtner signed
the charter granted by the Legislature his political
opponents united in charging him with having
cepted bribe for so doing His earnest devotion to
the cause Of popular education was the occasion
enjoyed none of the benefits OF a liberal
education, he became thoroughly con-
vinced of its utility, and contributed as much
as any other man TO the final success of the school
system of the State. When the bill recharerng the
bank was presented to him for approval he professed
to be opposed to the policy OF the measure but finally
consented to afllX his signature on condition that
"Nek Bidde's Bank" should pay large bonus to
the State, to be appropriated TO the erection OF
school houses under the then new school law. The
bonus was pald and the bill signed, but whether
the Governor actually accepted bribe must ain
in doubt, although 1t is known that an attempt TO
influence him in this manner was contemplated.
Ritners term of offce would have expired In
December, 1885, but the new constitution extended
il to January 1885, At the election OF 1888, he was
for the fourth time, the ant-MasOnic candidate for
Governor, but his opposition to Masonry insured his
defeat by David r. Porter, whose majority, however,
was but $780, The contest was very bitter and from
Philadelphia county two sets of candidates claimed
election to the lower house OF the Legislature. Gov
ala fn ha1t hot Nv 10