The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-09

charmed by the beauty and grandeur of Its
scenery, am led to wonder that so many Phila-
delphians turn their backs upon "thelr own rich
possessions" and go wandering over other sec
tions of our country in a vain search for that
which lies in profuson at ''their own doors"
In our journeyings we have passed through
the Southern, Eastern, Middle, and Western
States far beyond the Rocky Mountains; and as
a result of our observations, we have no hesita-
| ton in saying that, in climate variety, and pro-
ductiveness of sOil-beauty and grandeur of
scenery-happiness, comfort, prosperity, and in
! telligence of the people-in railroad facilities,
and in mineral and other material wealth
| Pennsylvania stands second to no other sister
State, and would richly repay a closer inspection
than many of our people arc disposed to accord
her.
The luxurant loveliness of this valley of the
| Cumberland that so astonished and cOnfounded
the Confederate soldiery few short years ago,
| rests undisturbed by Rebel raiders. Nearly the
last trace of their devastating work has passed
away. The graves Of brothers that fell by each
others hands are green with grass and bright
with flowers, and peace rests calmly upon ALL
as if past generation instead of our own had
been engaged in this fratrcidal strife, The
farmers, undsturbed in their peaceful labors,
have gathered ipto their huge barns, that among
other things distinguish this county, the most
abundant harvest that has been producedlormany
years Wheat, rye, barley, and oats have been
safely housed, and the prospect for a splendid
yield of corn was never better; indeed, the over
flowing abundance of the harvest has closed even
the mouths of constitutional grumblers, who,
with anxious faces, are looking about in vain
for some excuse to abuse q generous Providence.
The harvest has not only been immense but the
'haryest weather most propitious, so that it
has all been gathered in perfect condition. The
heart of the husbandman therefore reioiccs,
and the poor can well rejoice with him. for in
his plenty they find profit in an abundance of
labor, and in being able to procure cheap
the necessities of life. Rich and poor of city
and country can unite in Thanksgiving over the
fruitfulness of the year.
find here, as in other sections OF our cOun-
try, an earnest desire on the part of the people
to elevate and purify the primary springs of
political action. Last year a bitter contest was
waged between a well-llnown journalist of this
county and a political ''carpet-bagger' for the
Congressional nomination. After a warmly
contested struggle, evolving the btterest per-
sonal feeling, the prize was carried off by the
aforesaid sc. B. whose nomination was de-
clared by his opponents to have been effected
by plentiful supply and liberal use Of green
backs.
All this, should have promised, took place in
the eyer-peaccful fold of the Democracy as a
Congressional nomination in this district is not
of much value to any one in the Republican
ranks. After the nomination had been made,
several leading members of the defeated and
disgusted' candidate had the county committee
submit to the Democratic voters the adoption or
rejection of the Crawford county system, so
called claiming that under its workings green
backs would not be so effective in their opera
tion. The vote polled was very small, but the
''system" was pronounced approved, and the
party started out with high hopes on this new
road to political hOnOrs and power This year
is the first that it has come into operation, and
although the election of candidates under it has
not yet taken place, / think all parties
concerned are heartily disgusted with the new
plan. If the contest for nominations could be
narrowed down to two men, the matter would
be very simple, and possibly an improvement on
the old delegate plan; but unfortunately this is
not the case. The Crawford system" seems to
have stimulated the latent ambition of a vast
army of patriotic citizens, who are willing, and
indeed anxious, to serve their distressed country
in the fat offices in the bestowal of the ''dear
people, and these candidates, one and all, have
so exalted an opinion of their own merits and
popularity as to suppose that with direct vote,
they will surely be the fortunate recipients of
popular favor. For the Legislature there is one
man to be named and there are seven or eight
candidates for the nomination. For County
Treasurer there are from fourteen to twenty as
pirants, and so on down the whole list of county
Offices
When there are so many "Richmonds in the
iield,' it is quite confusing, if not confounding,
to the voters. 1t may happen, as you can readily
perceive, that by plurality of votes a candi-
date may be designated who, if placed in direct
contest with any one of those defeated, would be
far in the minority. The candidates complain
because it takes so much time and money to
canvass a whole county, when you are compelled
to see and talk with every voter. The "dear
people" complain first, because money is
still used to corrupt not delegates but
voters; second, because they have no peace,
night or day, from the opportunities of the in
Vulnerable candidates, all anxious and all deter
mined to secure their votes; and, lastly, because
if they do not promise to support every candi-
date that calls, they give Offense; and if they do
promise all, as some here do, why then they are
likely to disgust all. So as q result of all their
tribuations, there is almost u universal cry for
return to the 'old delegate plan of our fathers"
To a 'lOoler-on in Vienna" it is q very amusing,
but to those interested it is far otherwise. Heart
burnings, bitterness, and all attendant evils are
daily manifested.
In witnessing the trial of this system. for
which so much has been claimed and from
which so much has been hoped, am led to
doubt its practical efficiency for the work in
tended and anXiousy inquire if there can be
VI,