Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-07-17
The vresrs orEr-Secresnrv Wells,

The IJetrs or Err Secretary Wells.
Hon. Gideon Wells, Of Connecticut,
Secretary Of tho Navy under Mr.. Lin
coin, has written letter defining his
position on the Presidential question.
Like our humble self, he was good
deal disappointed with tho result of the
Cincinnati Convention. Mr.. Wells
says:
II would have been difficult to have found a
more dsagrceablc, Objectionable candato TO three
fourths OF the mon who must vote for him, he IL
to be elected, than Horace Greeley. But, while
have for n lifetime been opposed to Greeley on most
subjects, think him infinitely preferable to Grant
The question Is not personal one, and ought not
TO be so considered. Tho Republican party has
performed Its mission. Its organization Is kept
up and prolonged, not 10 promote essential princi
PIES not for the interests Of tho country, but 10
subseryc the selfish purpose Of a few individuals
who have their own ends TO accomplish. Under
these circumstances n change Of administration Il
absolutely necessary. We must get rid Of Grant.
Grantism and the hateful policy which for several
years has been pursued, or our fcderAtive system
Of the United States will be entirely subvertcd.
Lot the government become consolidated, and dis.
ruption will soon follow. We shall be broken up
into sections and warning factions. Grant has
evidently no comprehension OF our governmental
system, nor does he caro- much for II. To com
mand aud obey are his ideas Of government. lie
knows nothing of constitutional restraint. The
place he occupies he considers his right, q per
quisite he has earned. We must get rid Of hi.
man and his evil surroundings. Greeley IL not
the man would have selected, but his election
would be an advance, an improvement on the
present state Of things. A crooked stick may be
made available to beat a mad dog.
IL is necessary that wo should dismiss minor
differences and concentrate on one candidate. II
we cannot have our first choice let us have the best
we can get. II We can elect new Chief Magis.
tratc we can elect new and better Congress, and
we shall rescue the government from unconstitu-
tional hands and from military rule. Some Of
the extreme and impractieablc free traders, as
they call themselves, propose q new ticket. This,
II u can do anything, win aid Grant and existing
evils. Why talk Of free trade aud revenue while
the government itself is in peril' ] am for rescu,
Ing the government and preserving FREQ institu-
tions before contending on mere matters Of ex-
pedicncy. Grant has not n single qualification
FOR Chief Magistrate. Greeley has some. Grant
has some vulgar cunning and Is extremely selfish
and avarioiousj Greeley has intellect and gener.
Gus and patriotic instincts. If he Is elected be
will have a new and different Congress, and all
Presidents are more or less influenced by their
friends.
This extract covers the whole ground,
and are just the sentiments which
should spring from every Patriot, who
loves his country as dearly as he docs
his own offspring. How truthful the
remark "Why talk of free trade and
reuenue whiie the Government itself is
in perilp Save the Nation first, and
debate the policy question afterwards.
Again: What would be said about
two parents who could stand and de-
bate about the kind and style of cloth.
ing their boys should wear, or the
profession they should adopt, while
the boys were at the bottom Of well
drowning? Had they not better res
cue the boys first; and debate the
clothing matter afterwards We say,
strain every nerve TO get statesman
into the Presidential chair, and then
arrange the policy of the country af-
terwards.
Every freeman should labor to re.
move the blochead and his robber ring
who have made merchandise out of
everything they come in contact with,
and turned the White House and tho
Capital into brokers, rooms for the
sale of offices, and the public lands
for their own use and behoof, and il
not turned out will sell and betray the
Nation into the hands of some Dcspot,
as so much merchandise.
Vote for "PRlNCIPLES NOT
MEN" Save your Liberties; and it
will be an easy matter to protect your
person and property, and regulate Pres
idents, Governors, Congress and State
Legislatures.