The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1871-03-30
For the Democrat.
THE APPROACHING


With the published action of the pri-
mary meeting of the Republicans held in
this city on the 25th inst, in the nominal
ton of Mr.. Stanley as the Republican
candidate for Mayor of this city, commen-
ced in earnest the contest for that position
and trust; that the nomination after its
protracted season of labor, should have
disclosed this gentleman as the result of
its travail, Is both marvellous and surpris-
ing. That gracious charity, in utter dis
regard of the qualifications for the office,
should have thus mercilessly sacrificed his
opponents and placed him in nomination
is more than a wonder. This is not the
first essay Mr.. Stanley has made in the
political arena. Heretofore has he ven
tured his bank on a sea of glory, and
invariable defeat being his portion, we
were led to believe that he would bid a
final farewell to his short lived greatness,
bow gracefully and retire from the field
But not so, and that he did not so do, can
only inure to the disaster of his W par
ty, and the unquestionable success of our
candidate.
Charity is a virtue, but sometimes its
too free and injudicious indulgence entails
sorrowful reflection. Mr.. Stanly's nomin-
alton being the cdtgrowth of charity for
his physical and pecuniary condition, it
follows as a consequent that, if elected,
he would convert the Office into a means
Of mere money making. Self interest is
near sighted and self interest would be
the vital motive controlling and moving
Mr.. Stanley IN the entire manipulation Of
the affairs of the Office entrusted to him.
Let no claims of personal sympathy In
any way arbitrate in binding US as to the
merit or fitness of the man to which we
entrust such positions. We know that
Mr.. Stanley's friends will make use of and
employ in his behalf the argument of his
crippled condition, his declining years and
his need of the Office. In the abstract,
this is a fallacious standpoint from which
to view the matter, anc neither will the
facts in the case warrant any such subter-
fuge, when we consider the fact that wise
and ample provision is made for all such
un~fertunates. For why should he receive
sympathy sooner than those likewise dis
abled? Most certainly he has no superior
qualifications Of his own that entitle him
to preference over the multitudes similarly
afflicted. Moreover his health is such as
to require constant stimulus so as to Who'll
ly incapacltate him for discharging the
duties of this Office. These and many
other reasons that We forbear to mention
place him far beyond the reach of personal
sympathy. In the coming election let US
bear our decision wholly in the broad
grounds of public policy and public inter
est. 1t is a matter in which our local
interests are alone concerned, and it is
utter folly to allow political or even per
sonal prejudice to bias the mind to the
detriment of the public veal. We con.
slider Mr.. Stanley wholly incapable Of
filling the Office, and by no means such
man as the growing interests of our city
demand in the position to which he as
pires. On the other hand, we regard Mr..
Shields as a young man eminently fitted
for the position, and one who would ably
and honestly represent our interests il
this, the highest Office in the gift of on
people. Possessed of irreproachable In
tegrity, a high order Of mental culture
full of energy and public spirit, and last
but not least, of fine legal attainments.-
What can be desired more2 Added Il
these more substantial requisites, his cour
teOus dignihed bearing would well gracu
the position, and render business inter
course with him pleasant and agreeable
We nave every reason to believe, that IL
his hands, the affairs of the Office woulC
be administered with capacity and discre.
tionary judgment, and every expectation
looking to- fair and impartial discharg
of its every duty would be more than re
allied. Let us then consider this matte
carefully, and weighing impartially tn
respective merits Of the two candidates
decide for the enc who will bestguard an,
advance the interests of our city.
CANTON.