The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-03-17
ssTIac Successor ofColGsx.-'

ssTnc Successor ofGO1Gsx."
The radical camp is in a constant tur-
-noil concerning their next candidate
for congress. According to custom, the
Hon. JAP. PACKARD is entitled to a
second nomination; but it is given out
in breathings not loud but deep, that he
is to be unceremoniOusly laid upon the
shelf We rather regret this, as he has
probably done the country less harm
than the more talented members, be-
cause of his weakness five must have
radical congressman. give Us the school
book poetry kind, whose mediocre abll-
tiles will not enable them to do any
great amount of injury to the country.
The last issue Of the Laportc Herald
snuffs out the last spark of hope which
remained for the gallant JAP, and it
Will in future be proper to consider the
"successor Of Schuyler. Colfax" as much
a relict of antiquity as the Cardiff Gil
ant. The following is the Heralds ar
tic.e, under the head Of the Congress
sional Candidacy"
Elsewhere in this issue appears q COM
munication discussing somewhat the sit
uation in this congressional district, aud
stating shat the writer believes to be
the "opinion OF the party as regards our
present representative. The author,
we may say. is all esteemed and leading
citizen; gentleman, who, though new
er filing or seeking Office himself,
takes deep and intelligent interest in
public affairs, and close ebseryant note
OF public men. And re thinl; he has
expressed with admirable terseness and
precision, the formed and settled judg-
ment of the great mass of Repu' licans,
respecting the successor Of Schuyler
Colfax" Delicate, and even painful,
as it may be, candor, as well as sense of
duty. compels US to say that General
Packard has signally failed in his high
station, disappointing the just expecta-
tions of his friends and constituents
and in WHITING this We sincerely believe
we are simply recording and publishing
the ye4dict of an overw helming major
ity Of the unionists in this county and
throughout the district. We 10 not
propose here to 20 into details or give
rcasons-if' needful they will be forth
c0mine in time But We can say, n0W,
that even if the general had shown a
capacity equal to his exalted trust, his
indiscretioas have been so manifold and
unfortunate, a. u seriously mar his
availability, and make his candidacy Il
peril to the party. In view CT these
facts and considerations. W. cannot in
loyalty to The good old cause (dearer TO
Us than any mere nGa1 favor the re-
nomination OF General Jasper Packard
and 7-iU not. On the contrary, we
shall oppose him. Thisproclamation Of
our convictions and purposes, We
make without ausLt Of malice toward
any one, and in no spirit % defiance or
dictation. To us it seems well that our
position should be clearly defined and
understood. And the liberty we nave
taken we gladly accord to all-that of
fsvorinc or opposing whomsoever each
one wishes.
The HeraH concludes its article by
pronouncing in favor of c. ". CATH
CART, of I.aporte county, or Hon. JOHN
REYNOLDS, Of St. Joseph county. The
following is taken from the correspond
ence alluded to at the beginning of the
above article:
And this devolyes upon some one the
unpleasant task Of declaring in print,
what is well understood to be the opin-
ion Of the pGrty rs regards our present
representative. Candor compels even
his best friends to acknowledge that,
politically, he is not success. If asked
the reason why, different answers would
be given by different persons, but the
fact is denied by few, if any 1t is not
necessary 20 institute discussion on
this point, for it could oHly result in
wounding the feelings of .cme whose
allegiance to the party and its princi-
pies are unquestioned, and might stir
up strife in the family which it would
be difficult to allay.
/ am aware that the mere mention OF
the subject Will be regarded by some as
offensive, but It should be so approached
and treated as to cause the least posi-
bic irritation.
With this disclaimer, then, it is
proper to cay that General Packard il
not supported BY single newspaper ii
his district Now these ELEVEN
newspapers are only representatives o.
public opinion, and the unanimity witt
which they decline to favor his re-nom
nation, attcsts very clearly his unpopu
hrity among the people. His failure t.
harmonic conflicting clements; to allaJ
personal antagonisms t. retain ever
the strength ia his own town and coun
~ with which he entered congress t.
properly fill the position which awaited
the successor Of Colfax; to secure til,
favor and influence of at least portion
If the Republican press Of the district
s,ould all be considered as indlcatin:
that the general, in en- posing politics a
his profession, has mistaken his calling
The knowledge o. dis fact, if fact It be
Is of more Importance to him than t
am other person, and it would be do
inc him no Kindness to keep him IN
field in which he could only reap discs
ter for himself and the party with whlc'
10 is connected.