The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-10-21
Cambria Freeman.
THE RESULT.

AS general rule 1t may be regarded as
work of folly, to attempt an explanation Of a
political defeat. 1t may neverthel less truly
be said, in reference to John w Geary's
meagre majority for Governor, as Mercutio,
in one of Shakspeare's plays. said Of tri-
fling wound he had received in one Of his
arms in a sword duel, ''Although it is not
as deep as well, nor yet as wide as barn
door. still it is enough ~
We had hoped for different result. but
we bow with becoming grace to the voice of
the people. 1t has been said that the voice
Of the people is the voice of God, but we
think there are notable exceptions to the
rule, and that the election of Geary sup
plies prominent instance. That a vain
creature like him. without any capacity for
proper and intelligent discharge Of the du-
ties of the office, and whoee honesty, unlike
the chastity of Cae 5ar's wife, is not above
suspicion, should again be entrusted with the
executive duties of great State, does not re-
fleet much credit on the wisdom and intelIi-
gehce of the people.
election in this State cannot be regarded as
a triumph for the general administration
The same may be said with equal truth of
the result in Ohio. In Pennsylvania Grants
majority was % .898-Geary's majority over
Packer does not foot up One-sirth Of that
mum! er, as is indicated by the official returns
Just published. In Ohio Gen. Grants major
ity was 40 ,6l7, and now Hayes, radical, is
reelected Governor by only about 8.000.-
These figures do not prove that the demo
cratic party is either dead OF dying, but, on
the contrary, that it possesses indomitable
energy and q determined will. A party
which in one year after defeat, shows such
elasticity may indulge in reasonable pride
in its strength, and fec! certain confidence
in It's ultimate success. Like the immortal
Old Guard" Of Napoleon, it will never sur
render.
That many Of the leading radical organs
do not regard the result of the election in
this State as triumph, but as a virtual de-
feat. is quite apparent from :heir comments
thereon. The Philadelphia Telegraph speaks
in the following hopeless strain in regard to
the result:
1T is discouraging fact, too, that in near
ly every county in the State, outside of Pkila-
dslphia, the vote for Geary falls far behind
that pollsd for Hartranft in 1868. a drenry
succession of Republican losses is reported,
aid the preliminary returns indicate that Gea-
ry's whole majority in the State will not ex
ceed the Republican gain effected in Philadel-
phia alone, over the vote polled in October
ls6S. We may we'll exclaim with the ancient
General, One more such victory and we are
undene y Si1ce Grants majority cf % ,o9S in
1868 IS cut down to 4 900 or ) 900, the mdnag-
ing politicians cannot be too deeply impressed
with the necessity of popular nominations here
after"
The same paper pays its respects to the
successful candidate in the following pointed
but none the less truthful criticism:
at was sheer madness to risk unnecessary
dangers in the campaign which has just closed.
Gearv's unftness for the Governorship was as
painfully evident as his unaYailability a can
didate and while the Commonwealth abound
ed with men endowed with capacities infinitely
superior to those which he possesses, scarcely
any man could have been nominated who would
have polled a smaller vote The only cause
we have for regret in conn ecton with our course
III reference to his nomination is that our oppo-
siton Intellectual and while we earnestly
rejoice in the triumph OF the Republican party,
we sorry that its hOnors have not fallen up
on a more able as well more popular Exec
HIiYe."
The Philadelphia HQuirer observes on the
election statistics
Judging from the signs indicated by the cleo
ton, the only doubt that could be maintained
in reference TO the matter, might be us to the
feelings and opinions of the Ia 100 persons who
refused, on the present occasion, to go to the
polls. They were either negligent or dissltis-
ned. II the former was the case, no prognos-
Iication can be made as to what the may do
hereafter.