Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-09-27
"Glittering Generalities. !"

Some friend was kind enough last
winter to forward to us a pamphlet,
entitled the "Messago Of His Excel.
lency John w. Geary to the General
Assembly of Pennsylvania, January
A, 1871" We perused the document
with great care, and laid itaway with
still greater care for future reference.
The divisions and sub divisions of this
able State paper are numerous, ap-
propriato and striking, and tho sub
Ject matter of each is treated with tho
ability which distinguishes the author.
and which its importance deserves
One division is headed "Financcs,"
and although to the general reader.
statistical details, as general thing,
are rather insipid, yet his Excellency
has presented them in so pleasing a
style as to make them highly palatablc.
The unsightly shin bone bought at tho
shamblos is lost sight Of in tho savory
odor Of the well spiced soup. "The
reduction of the public debt" is made
the subject Of special subdivision,
and eloquently discussed. Well de-
vscd and thoughtfully framed recon-
mendations are offered for the response
and endorsement of the people; and
the subject is dismissed with the fol-
lowing sthpendous ALTERATION:
Economy and reform should no lon.
ger be ADVOCATED as glittering generdli-
ties, or mere distractions, ipithoM mean
ing or intent, but as rital, iiring reali-
ties"
If the strength Of character, intcn-
sity OF purpose, rectitudc OF conduct,
and virtue OF intention could bo meass
ured by the magnificence ofhi studied
utterances what an immense reality
this great governor would be. How
simple would be his Republican tastes
how virtuous his laying down and
rising up-how pure his going out and
his coming in-how honest every
action of his life-and how immacu-
lately incorruptible his associations
and surroundings. After reading so
pleasing an axiom in the public officer,
in these days Of fraud, extravagance
and corruption, one would be almost
justified in laying his hand upon his
heart and consoliDg himself with tho
thought that here at the least was q
financial Joseph, beyond the wiles of
seduction-here was an examplar-
here was one Of whom every Penn
sylvanian should be proud.
But in the light of recent revelations
these words are but as "sounding brass
and tinkling cymbals; and instead of
exhibiting to the world indicia of char
acter worthy formulation, demonstrate
too plainly the hypocrisy and hollow
ness of the heart and head that con-
ceived and uttered them. Where is
the economy and reform that dictated
a contract with an irresponsible gift
enterprise man for a commission of ten
per cent. on millions of dollars to be
had for the asking. If the allowing
of George o. Evans and his clique to
pocket 1868, ,524.S5, comes within tho
spirit OF the sentiment, or is embraced
within the political axiom so pro-
foundly enunciated, we must confess
we arc at loss to see it. 1t may be
classed among the ''glittering generdli-
ties" and has many ear marks Of
mere distractions" and SO far as tho
tax payers of the State are concerned,
developes into "viial, living realities"
it falls short good ways Of that
Economy and reform" the blessed
governor rounds his paragraphs with,
and like the bouquets of the banquet,
bedeck bis message. When this last
Radical absorption of the public mon
ey is properly accounted for and placed
whore it belongs whom wholesale
robbery and extravagancc-"Roather-
mel pictures" "Batcs' History" and
similar waste of State funds are done
away with--we shall have more relish
for the beauties of Geary's rhetoric;
enjoy still more the naturalization
of his jingling sentences; and be graf
fled with the glittering generalties of
his glowing genius.-Greensbwg Dem
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