Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-01-24


passive policy and of the duty of the
dissatisfied Republicans to organize
an opposition against Grant in co.
operation with the Democrats, will be
received with the attention they de.
servo: ~sl-ss
CrSoIHNArI, Dec. 80, 1871.
MesSrs. Eshiemen, FeriStone, Baugh.
man, Committee Of Imitation.
GENTLEMEN regret that | can.
not accept your invitation to bc pres.
ent at the next annual celebration OF
the 9Th Of January. 1t would have
given me great pleasure to meet and
take counsel Of those who are so
well grounded in the faith and prac.
tice Of Democracy as the men OF
Wayne county, and with them to
recall the principles and example OF
the founders of our party.
Two great dangers impcril free in.
stitutions under the policy of the
party now in power. The spirit OF
centralized military government at.
tacks everywhere the Constitution,
and corruption in office destroys the
civil Administration. do not speak
merely or chiefly of special deialca,
tions however startling, but of the
general degradation Of the standard
Of official integrity until the offices in
both the civil and military service
seem TO be considered the property
of the party, to be dispensed and ad
ministered primarily for party ag
grandizement or personal property.
These dangers grow out of and are
inseparable from the present organi
cation of the Republican party. Iti
foundation, it's history, and its leaders
recognize military power and the cor
rupting use of money by official pat
ronagc as legitimate forces in ordinary
civil Administration, and now more
than ever arc they brought into &C
tive exercise. The Democratic party
eonfronts this theory and dcnounce'
these practices.
Founded upon the idea OF local gov
ernment, jealous of powers granted t
authority, taught that simplicity anC
economy are essential to the honesty
necessary in Republican institutions
: it maintains with more determined
purpose that the military must b'
subordinate TO the civil authority, ant
that offices are trust for the people
not spois for the victors.
Its powerful organization enter
every village in the land, and number
among its adherents nearly one bal
the people--as intellectual, as pure
rs patriotic, as unsclfish as any Q
their fellow citizens. They are to-
numerous to be cowardly. They ar
too patriotic TO be luke. warm The,
are too sincere in their purposes an,
convictions to be driven TO desponden
cy by ten years of revcrses. The,
have shown constancy in defeat a
well as wisdom in victory. If | m
derstand their feelings they will Meth
er disband their organization nor he
the field before the contest commen
ces. Either course, they believe
would give uudisputed sway to th
present Administration, which coul,
then give undivided attention to tn
deserters from its ranks. .
An advancing army, with the enc
my either dispersed or in fight, neve
loses divisions or regiments, or eve
8 companies, aud is generally able t
pick off or to pick up treacherous o
thoughtless stragglers.
II there be, as is claimed, man,
members Of the Republican party VIII
disapprovo the ideas which dominat
the Administration of President Grant
and are prepared to oppose his re
election, they should declare thei
!. purposes, organize their party, de
yelope and manifest their strength
and if may predict the future, the
: will have no just cause, even the mos
! sensitive and timid among them, 70
! refusing to cooperate with the DemC
cratic party. When its authorize
I convention shall speak it will remin
= its adherents that the ultimate an
highest purpose of its existence is I
!, secure the greatest prosperity, in II
best sense, OF every human being i
\ the land that principles of govern
:. ment are true or untrue, rs they col
/. tribute to this result; that partiC
and politics and offices are but mean
4 to this end that principles are of di
: fcrent application, and questions los
e their importance in the ever shiftin
!. changes of human affairs, aud di
. carding all narrow ideas, abandonn
the consideration of all question
. which have been decided or buried b
y the events which have passed reeo!
. /, nizing tho accomplished facts of th
y present, and apprecialing the danger
y of tho future, il will invite, both b
y words and by deeds, both by resol
y tons and by nominations, the zealou
: hearty co cooperation OF all men VIII
= believe that the Constitution is a be
ter system of government than ma
/" tial law, and that reform in the civ
!, service is a higher duty than rewar,
a ing prospective partisan enort by di
. tributing spoils.
, By this course the party, shoul
hope, would attain success. If
should once moro fall, rs an homes
, faithful, patriotic minority, II vi
i hold an important position and exc
" an immense moral power over Il
;, majority; and it may well wait wit
! faith the inevitable hour which wi
\ crown its fidelity and patience wit
: the success which II will have d
/" served.
;, am, very respectfully, your obed
= cnt servant.
:. GEORGE II. PENDIEros.
The only way to mako the mass
mankind see the beauty Of iusticc,