The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-07
HON. VIM. d. KELLEY.

From the MinersuiHe Journal.
AS the time approaches for the Congress
sional nominating conventions to assemble to
present candidates at the ensuing fall cleo
ton, it becomes more apparent that in many
districts of the State efforts will be made to
name new men as representatives. This de-
sire for change is often based upon good
and substantial reasons, particularly where
members have proved derelict in their duties
to the people, but sometimes it arises from
no higher or better motive than the ambition
of aspiring politicians anxious for the place,
assisted by disappointed ofice-hunters who
hope in a new deal to further their own inte-
rests.
When a Representative against whom op-
position is made is one whose reputation and
usefulness are confined to the limits and
wants of his own district, it is only a matter
of local interest with which outsiders have
little or no right to NEEDLE; but when the
man attempted to be stricken down is one
whose political record is the property of the
whole country, whose labors, talents, and
craftsmanship are appreciated and valuable
to great interests, not confined by the narrow
limits Of district or even State lines it be-
comes not only the right but the duty of
independent men and journals to speak out
in his defense, and labor to uphold him.
This is not only duty that generosity
owes for valuable services rendered in the
past, but is a duty that the future demands
for important and vital interests that tower
above mere personal or individual considera-
tions.
We are led to make these observations in
view of rumored attempt being made to
prevent the denomination of Judge Kelley,
representing at present the Fourth district of
this State.
1t is very much to be doubted whether the
md 10 oil foro q ~,
view of the arduous labors and anxieties of
his position 1t cannot, however, be doubted
for one moment that it would be very
grave error in his constituents, and a very
serious loss to the State and country at large,
if he should not be returned to the Forty
second Congress.
Although Judge Kelley has done as much
and perhaps more for his immediate constitu-
ents than any other of the Congressman from
Pennsylvania, yet his labors are not confined
| within SO narrow limit. He stands to-day
the most thoroughly posted, vigilant, able
and.ready defender of our great industrial in
| terests that this State has at Washington, and,
indeed, it is to be doubted if any Representa-
tive from any State in the lower House is
more able to cope in general or detail with
the paid defenders of British free trade,
whose ability and bribery are the great stun
bling blocks at present in the way of the
| nations prosperity. Judge Kelley has not
only been a consistent advocate and defender
of our Republican faith, but has been an ac-
knowledged leader of the party since its
organization. He has sometimes been far in
advance, ard doubtful councils feared to fol
| low him and the lamented Stevens, but in
the end the course they marked out has been
adopted, and their principles and views are
the foundation stones upon which the party
rests in triumph to-day.
His labors, talents, and fame are the CON-
mon property of the Republican party. To
strike him down in the very height of his
usefulness would not only be great folly,
but an objectionable crime.
If we narrow the question down to the
limits of his own district, who can the Re-
publieans therein select to represent them
who will combine SO much experience, ability,
and power to promote their best interests as
this gentleman, whose name is household
word in every section of our country?
We have too much faith in the good sense
of the Republicans of the Fourth district to
doubt the result.
1t cannot be that disappointed place hunt
ers will have power enough to withdraw from
the National Councils one whose acknow.
lodged ability, long experience, and laborious
| devotion to duty are SO valuable at the pre-
sent juncture on the side of the languishine
| interests and industries of the country