The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-09
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admopition to the Republican party that it
can maintain its supremacy only by promptly
correcting the evils it has too long cherished
within itself. While the issues Of the war
were undecided, patriotic men would close
their eyes to corruption, to incompetent or
otherwise unworthy candidates, and to the
madness of selfish leaders, and vote the Re-
publican ticket to save the country; but now
the war has g~arnered the fulness of it's har-
vest, and honest citizens will no longer be
made the supple tools Of corruptionists.
Every election held this year has been a
fresh notice to the Republican leaders that
the party must reform itself. Connecticut
opened the campaign of 1870 with disaster,
whereby a faithful and patriotic Governor was
displaced by 500 majority. Oregon followed,
and one of the ablest and most blameless of
our Republican Senators lost his place.
Washington city followed with an open aud
decisive rebuke to the political managers who
claimed to be the Republican party. New
York, hitherto a debatable State, gave nearly
10000 Democratic majority, when the politi-
cal complexion of her courts of last re-
sort was involved. Kentucky gave no
substantial Republican gains, even with
her large colored vote polled for the
first time. Tennessee has given over her
courts to the Conservatives, thus surrender
ing the last vestige of Republican power in
that State, and now comes North Carolina,
in the face of bayonets forced upon the peo-
pie by the ill-advised counsels of bad lead
with a Legislature two-thlrds Democratic, ana
but two Republicans in the entire Congress
sional delegation. A Senator is thus sacri-
feed, and a long stride taken toward making
the next Congress Democratic.
With all these ~admonitions the protested
Republican leaders close their ears to wis
lon. Instead of meeting the issue frankly,
and appealing to the intelligence of the
people, we are met with the startling propo-
sition that Georgia must not hold an election
because tile Republicans cannot carry tie
State! This reckless suggestion to nullify
the laws and defy the people is made this
morning by a Republican contemporary. If
not hold an election in Georgia, why hold one
in any other State ? 1t is conceded that the
Republicans canno gain Congressman, while
it is most likely that they must lose some
in most of the States. Why not,
therefore, decide that all the Legislatures,
and all the Congressman, and all
the Governors shall hold over until
matters can be arranged for Republican vic
tories? The only reason for not holding an
election is that the Republicans will be de-
feated; and the same rule will apply with
equal if not increased potency in all other
States, if mad leaders insist upon defying
popular opinion and insulting the intelligence
and patriotism of apeople peculiarly jealous
of popular rights.
North Carolina was last, as were most of
the other States sacrificed this year by selfish
and blind leadership. Governor Holden
allowed the honor and credit of his State to
be destroyed by irresponsible adventurers
with the hope of securing a seat in the Senate;
and, to make assurance doubly sure, he un-
dertook to force political results by armed
Jayhawkers, who defied the laws, ignored
Justice, and disregarded the courts. The
result was a change of $4,000 to 30, 900
against the Republicans, and the surrender
of the State to Democracy for years to come.
In Pennsylvania the same mad policy is
aimed at. The Republican party can sue
coed only by deserving the approval and con-
lucuCO u tlC lhtCIiBOh0 anu PdtiiOthO pCODlO
of the State. Its abuses, corruptions, and
subordination to shameless pretenders like
Cameron are justly appreciated by all Sec
tons, and unless the Republican organization,
as an organization, shall show an earnest, de-
termined purpose to reform itself, and restore
the State to faithful government, we shall
lose half a dozen or more Congressman, and
possibly the Legislature. Senators like Will
son and Cameron, who bowed to the Washing
ton lobby and continued the inquisitorial in
come tax to save corporations from tax on
gross receipts, may levy heavy tribute upon
starving clerks to defray election expenses,
but all the power Of money or patronage will
fail to give the Republicans victory if the
party does not earn it by deserving it.
Pennsylvania can be saved to the Republi-
cans, but not by defying the people and the
laws. Let the party, as a party, declare for
constitutional reform, and show the people
that the shameless cerruptions of Harrisburg
must be broken up and rendered impossible
henceforth. Let the true men of the party,
who want no Office and seek no place or profit
by political prostitution, come to the front
and lead the Republican organization to re-
form and victory. Let the Union League
speak. 1t is the consistent advocate of
reform, and it is a force that could not fail to
be respected. Let it call upon the people to
demand fundamental reform by instructing
Legislators to propose a convention, and the
sorely tried Republicans of the State will
take fresh courage and fall into the ranks
AGAIN to save the GRAND organization nv re-