The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-10-21
Harrisburg Correspondence.

| 6arTlSpuTg SOTTeSpOuueuCes
EDITOR OF COLUMBIAN, Dear Sr:-
Thinking something from Harrisburg
might prove acceptable to you and your
readers, at once proceed to communi-
cate some facts connected with our late
election.
The prominent feature of our recent
city election, was the election of the
Democratic nominee for Mayor, WIN.
r. VERBECK, who overcame the over
whelming party vote of the Republicans
in this city, and was elected by ma
jority of 1862 votes over Colonel VIM.
JENNINGS, the regular candidate of
the Republican party.
Mr.. VERBEcK is an old inhabi tant OF
this city, highly distinguished for his
philanthrophy and his patriotism. In
the unstinted exercise of those virtues,
he materially impaired his pecuniary
means, which were ample. He also
expended great deal of money in his
efforts to improve his native city and
eventually became poor in consequence
VI
humanity and of his country. 1t was
under these adverse circumstances that
the Democrats ia this city nominated
him for Mayor, and the people at large
generally responded to that nomination
For, Notwithstanding the very imper-
feet organization of the Democrats, who
fought, in this campaign, morel like raw
militia than well drilled regulars; not
withstanding the vile and brutal abuse
which the ECening Telegraph daily
vomited from the cess pools of its filthy
Office upon an unoffending and defense.
less man; Notwithstanding the utter
poverty of the candidate WIN. X.
VERBECK was triumphantly elected,
at which the people greatly rejoice, be-
cause they feel they have achieved 6
great moral victory.
AS regards the ID EN- ocratic party here
and elsewhere, they may derive some
wholesome lessons from the result of
this election. They may here realize
the immense importanceo of nominating
to office, not only competent men, but
also men whose eirreproachabl character
will command public respect and conf
dence and give to their cause an earnest
of victory. For, whatever may bc said
|, to the contrary, private virtue will,
even in these degenerate days, extort
the admiration Of even those who have
not the courage to initiate it.
Another most useful lesson which tn,
Democracy may learn from the election
of VERBECK, is, that an honest man
without the corrupting appliance o
money This, in these times of relaxed
political morals, is great and import
ant fact, worthy of being submit tied t
the serious consideration of every Dem
ocrat and of every honest Republican
: in the country. Especially as, of lat
s years, certain individuals in our party
have preached with but too much sue
!. cess, the infamous doctrine, that non
but rich men ought TO be nominate t
office, because of their pecuniary abilit
! to purchase their election,
l That such monstrous doctrine shoul
for single moment, receive the cour
tenance of the Democratic party, is on
Q of those strange anomalies which froI
> time to time, come to confound til
stoutest believers in the infallible col
$ clusionS of sound logic, For, could
: be believed that the great body of tn
: Democracy, which consists of workn
: men, mechanics, farmers and men j
Z moderate pecuniary circumstance.
l would voluntarily exclude themselve
from Office and consent to sink to tn
n degrading occupation of hewers of woo
g aud drawers of water for the special b,
g hoof and benefit of few rich men VIII
d might condescend to assume their pa
l. ty name as the sb ortest and easiest roa
+ to power aud political distinctio n
Could 1t be supposed, that the Demo
cratic party would consent to sink itse
e into the cloaca Of those infamous an
/. corrupt practices at elections, for whic
It we sojustly denounce our political enc
s mics? And lastly, could it be believe
/. that the Democratic party (emphatica
>. ly the poor mans party, would be s
- stupid as to divest itself of its invulnel
8 able armor of principles founded upo
4 immutable truth and justice, to rus
:. naked in mortal combat, against fo,
If armed to the teeth with all the corrupt
II ing influences of aggregated and ind
q vidual wealth? AS we'll might poo
If man at an auction hope to enter int
successful competition with a million
aire, for the purchase of any article ul
on which the latter had set his hear
1t is to be hoped the Democracy will
- upon reflection, repudiate this abomiI
- able heresy, which practically exciud,
y from any important Office nine .tentl
y of the men composing our party, an
:" which was cunningly devised by fe
W political sharpers whose object was
20 line their own pockets by imposing {
lo the generous creduiity of the rich cal
didateS whom they had set up for Il
y sole object of skillful phlebotomy. III
" shortneSs of my paper admonishes II
to close Ia the midst of subject suf
70 ciently prolific to cover two or thr,
rs more sheets. Should this prove accep
r able, l may hereafter resume the su
" ject. "JUNIus. -