The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-09-30

umnleS of his enemies. But it can be I
demonstrated from official documents, |
The authenticity Of the statements Of
which it is impossible to question, that |
these pardons were clearly entitled to
them-who were included in the class |
for the relief Of which this enormous
power was placed in the hands of the
Executive"
Our contemporary isentirely correct |
in its figures; it is entirely correct when
it says that these pardons were granted
for good and sufficient reasons"-to |
Governor Geary, of course, although
we may be permitted to doubt whether
the honest law-abiding portion of the
community wouldbe exactly of the
same way of thinking, if they knew
all the circumstances connected loith the
granting Of some Of these Dardo1S. The
article objected to by the Bulletin con-
tanned no political illusions whatever,
it was plain statement of state of
affairs which ought to receive the can.
did attention of every patriotic citi-
zen. We endeavored to lay portion
of the blame where we believe that it
justly belongs. In spite Of the ButIe-
tins figures, we still remain of the
same opinion as before, and our opin-
ion is based upon exactly the same Of
fetal record that our contemporary
quotes so confidently. The question is
not whether Governor Geary has par
dOned less or greater number of GRIM
inals than his predecessors, but 1obeth-
er he has used IL for the good Of tie COM
nl1uaity and not from selfish D1OtiUes and
to gratjg certain Intriguing politicians
whether his use of the pardoning
power has not been such as to demand
that it shall be taken from the hands
of the executive in the future and en-
trusted to properly organized court.
We believe that this is matter of vi
tai Importance to the people of this
city and State, and we know of no
good reason why we should refrain
from alluding 10 it now or at any other
time. To substantiate our position,
we will quote a few cases from the par
don report for the edifcation of the
Bulletin and all others Interested
Here follow quotations from Gov.
Geary's Pardon Report.
We have here quoted but a
small number of the pardons granted,
but they will be sufficient to show the
frivilous character of the reasons assign
ed, and the class of men upon whose
application the Governor was induced
to interfere. Throughout the acltoIe par
don list zoe find tendRaes Of a0eA-knotCn
local and State politicians, each one Of
achona has his title are TO grind, each
one Of l0jiom expects to obtain influence
at primary elections, conventions, and
the polls 6y using his influence in matters
Of this kind, and the GoUer7aor is ready
to obJi9e them because they may do him
q good or eUiI turn, as he l0inS Htei, .fd-
rOT or eJaniity. We have here laid bare
one of the secret wires by which the
politics of the State are regulated; and
the spectacle.is is edifying, if not alto
gather agreeable.
We know that the loyalty ofour ami
able contemporary is of very severe
and antique type, which we can scarcely
| expect to emulate, and as election day
approaches it invariably mounts
very high and patriotic horse, that we
find it difficult to keep pace with. Our
opinion of Governor Geary is tolerably
well known; we do not think any bet
| ter of him since his denomination than
we did before, but if the republicans of
this State choose to vote for him a
gain, that is their business and not
ours. We venture, however, upon a
! piece Of disinterested advice to the
BuHetia-that is, if it really wishes to
see Geary reelected, the best thing it
can do is to discuss him as little as
possible.
We believe that our opinions on the
leading moral, political and social top
les are sufficiently pronounced and Suf-
| ficiently liberal to satisfy the most adj
vaned reformers of the day, if we ex-
cept the Wendell Phillips and Susan
B. Anthony class, and we have given
as sturdy support to the republican
party as has our contemporary
We belive, however, that if the
republican party is to retain the conf
dence of the country it must be con-
Quoted on pure principles, by pure
men. We hold firmly to republican
principles, because we believe that the
safety, honor and welfare of the coun-
try depend upon their. maintenance !;
but we will not support the corrupt
men who may manage to get upon the
| republican ticket for the sake of advan-
cling their own selfish ends and for the
purpose of plundering the public. The
time has nowscome when it is necessa-
ry for the patriotic men of the State
| and country to make decided stand
against corrupt practices like those of
the late State legislature, which bring
the party into disgrace and contempt.
If the party supports such men it
ought TO fail, for, whatever its preten-
ded principles may be, it has in reali-
ity fallen to the democratic level, and
party fealty represents mere scram-
BILE for the loaves and fishes. We
have taken our position on this SUBJ
ject, and we do not intend to be frigh-
tened or silenced by the noise of the
big war drums that are being sounded