The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-11-01
I,he Liberals an Cossmctz.
The Necessity of Continuing TIE FIsht-A Patri-
Otic Address Read, onder and hct.

sYIVANIA: Whatever causes have pro- I
duced the disastrous results of the October
election III Pennsylvania, the liberal repub-
licans owe it to their sincere convictions
and to their truly representative and emi-
nent candidates, to give earnest battle for
the triumph of both III the November con-
test. The men who have braved power and
all the appliances of modern political ven
geance 20 restore republicanism and the
nation to self government, to integrity III
public administration, and to peace, will
not talter IN the struggle because the ex-
haustIng effect of discipline and authority
have achieved Il temporary and doubtful VIC
tory. Whether wholly the result of fraud
or not, the success of October is SO stained
with debauchery of the ballot that the peo-
pie are taught in more unmiStakaDle tones
than ever before the Imperative necessity
of new departure in their political policy
if they would preserve their free institu-
tions. With a polluted ballot, and politi-
ical power enforcing subserviency to its
will, submission by the citizen is crime
against liberty and law.
The liberal republican movement was not
q mere expedient for a national contest
1t was called into existence by the encrOach-
mentS of authority upon the dearest prerO-
gatives of the people. When the honest
criticism of sincere and eminent republi-
can statesmen invoked administration re-
sentiment when to question the fitness of
subordinate officers, or to expose corrup-
ton, and demand integrity in official trust,
made those who fought the battles of the
people aliens and strangers to adminlstra-
tive favor ; when to resist the usurpatlOn
of legislative powers by the executive, was
TO invite the promotion of superserviceable
senator's and the degradation of the Sum
ners and Trumbulls Of the party; and when
to declare for free and honest government
N-FNlyu
administration demand for new era OF
sectional hate, many devoted republicans
were compelled to choose between faitA.nss
and unmanly submission, or such indepelI-
pent political action as would warn the
country of the dangers which threaten it.
A bloody struggle of four years duration
for the unity of the states left us the usual
legacies of prOtracted war. The extreme
arbitrary power necessary i'll seasons of
grave public peril not only fingered after
the union had been saved by the herolsm
of the people, but had steadily made new
demands upon reluctant but too often
obedient congress. To-day, with peace and
civil authority supreme wherever the citi-
zens exercise their just powers without Off
cial or military restraint, ours has ceased
to be government of the people, by the
people and for tile people," and we must
declare that the chief obstacle to success
full government and law is the dangerous
centrflizing tendencies Of administrative
authority.
Our country would be at variance with
all similar history of other nations, if cor
ruption, and its innumerable kindred pub
lie wrongs, had not entrenchcd themselves
in power, while a patriotic people struggled
for the safety of their government. 1t has
boldly seized the absolute control of politi-
cal organizations in number of states,
and is enabled to make ambition obedient
to its exacting demands. 1t has, also, un-
der color of law, made debauchery and
fraud a part of the regular machinery of
elections, by which it insolently defies the
popular viii, and gives open immunity to
organize crime
In contest so unequal it is not surpris-
ing that here in Pennsylvania, the chief
citadel of perverted authority, we have lost
the first battle of this great conflict. If it
has been won by fraud, or by corruption,
or by the assaults of power, or by all COM
bined, as it undoubtedly has been, the ne
cessity of the liberal movement is com
pletely vindicated, and the necessity FORTS
perfected organization and more deter
mined efforts for the future must challenge
the judgment of every patriotic citizen
Its mission of national, state and munich
pal regeneration is one that no temporary
defeat can overthrow, and no combination
of political elements can avert its early de-
csive triumph. 1t is the cause of free gov
ernment, the cause of honest admins ira
tion, the cause of the people, the cause of
peace, and to doubt its success would be to
doubt the enduring attributes of freedom.
We must battle now, and battle ever, for
victory, for it is within our reach. If we
shall fail to-day, let our ranks be unbroken
and strengthened tomorrow; and as surely
as right must triumph over wrong, so sure
ly will We bear our cause to success. Our
platform has extOrtcd the unqualified ap-
proval of all parties, and our candidates
most fifty represent the principles SO frank
ly and patriotically declared. Horace Gree
ley taught the country the lessons of Gin
cinnati when popular prejudice and sec
tional passion resisted the peace and union
for which we had made countless sacrifices,
and now, whether he or his compepitor
shall administer the government, his wise
and liberal craftsmanship will be confessed
sts tho country adv.neos ov.,I- tho hatrods
of war to national reconciliation. OF his
eminent abilities, his sincere devotion to
the whole people, his blameless integrity,
his honest respect for the popular will and
his autagonism to all usurpations by exec
utive authority we need not speak. His
opinions are unconcealed and known to all,
and his patriotism and fidelity need no vim
dication in any section of his country or of
the civilized world. With such a man to
administer the government, none but those
who fear the crucibile of honest authority
could have reason for alarm. Earnestly
devoted to the interest of industry and le-
gitimate trade in all their varied channels,
and struggling, as he ever did and ever
will, for the prosperity and harmony of
every section, his election to the Presidency
would be the crowning triumph of peace.
Liberals of,Pennsylvania This cause is
worthy of your noblest efforts. Let our
ranks be closed up, and let every liberal
vote be polled i'll November next. II all
who sincerely desire its triumph shall do
their duty, regenerated nation will be
our reward.
BY order of the liberal republican state
committee.
A. K. MCLURE, Chairman, Philad'a.
VIM. III. RUDDIMAN, Philadelphia.
LAMBERT THOMAS, Philadelphia.
HENRY L. WALLACE, Philadelphia.
GEORGE WYLIE, Philadelphia
ROBERT MORRIS, Philadelphia.