Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-08-03


intelligence. Both the spirit and ability of
the article deserves respect
1.-THE time has come when every honest
and independent Democrat must of ne
ceseity ignore party leaders, and think and
act for himself
Our party exists no longer, but in name.
The Convention recently assembled at Bal
timore presents to us the huniating spec
taclc OF party without party principles,
without leader, without anything tangible
upon which to hang a iaith-in fact, the
more ghost of n once great party.
What have our leaders done They
have borrowed n platform adopted by a
Convention purely Republican they have
borrowed the candidate of that Convention,
Republican ever since the party came in
to being, and no less Republican to-day,
as he himself aflrms.
The choice, then, which Democrats arc
called upon to make, is between two Re-
publicans, one Of Democratic anteccdents,
the other the lifelong enemy of Democracy
and the persistent villitier of even its best
and purest men and measures.
We have no hesitation in choosing be-
tween Philadelphia and Cincinnati.
Between the two platforms there is per-
haps little to choose. Both indefinitely
favor civil service reform, amnesty, pay
ment of the nations debts, botE gratefully
remember the soldiers and sailors of the
late war, &C., &c. The main points of
difference are that the platform adopted at
Philadelphia tavOrs the raising of revenue
by importations, the duties of which should
be so adjusted as to aid in securing re-
munerative wages to labor and promote
the industries, growth and prosperity of
the whole country while the Cincinnati
platform evades this, the one question upon
which the borrowed opposed TO those who
constitute lis following, by renting the
whole matter to the people in their Con-
grcssonal districts
The Philadelphia platform contains one
resolution which, though couched in the
most general terms, is significant of grow
ing disposition on the part Of voters TO pay
respectful attention to the demands Of those
yet excluded from the suffrage. The Gin
cinnati platform is silent upon the subject.
There is one, and only one, direct issue
taken by the two platforms, /. e.. upon the
question Of the Presidents rc-cigibility to
Office.
We think these various differences are de-
Cidcdly in favor of the Philadelphia plat
form, mainly for the reason that dircctncss
is always better than evasion thata tariff
for revenue, so adjusted as to incidentally
protect is the true middle. ground upon
which most men consent TO unite also be-
cause men will be found unwilling to COM
NIT themselves to a principle which i'm
pcrativcly requires that in no case shall Il
President be a candidate for reelection.
SO much for the platforms. And now,
between the Republican candidates before
the people we have no hesitancy in pro-
nounCing for Grant. AS the successful
leader of the Northern armies during the
late war he challenges our admiration as
chief administrator Of the laws of the
nation he commands our respect and con-
iidcncc.
That the Administration Of President
Grant has been entirely free from mistakes,
not even his most Jealous supporters will
affirm. lie himself says: My past cN-
pcriencc may guide me in avoiding the
mistakes inevitable with novices in all pro-
fcssions and in all occupations' But that
his Administration has on the whole been
successful more SO than it, gave promise
in 80, no candid man will deny.
Above the general murMur OF dissatsac-
ton with the nomination of Greeley above
the loud rectals of his many eCcentriCitics
and inconsistencies, we hear the cry OF
Peace : and we are told that upon the
election of Greeley depends the realization
Of this general desire. We have heard the
cry before. Had it been needed in 'Gl, the
result would have been dissolved Union.
Had it been needed in ga, when Greeley
bargained with traitors at Niagara Falls,
the nation would have been weakened and
Inundated. Had il been needed in 'G4, the
war and the better results growing out of
the war would have been failure.
And what is that peace offered us by the
South to-day Why are hands claspcd
across the bloody chasm 2 While we
would gladly encourage every effort being,
or about 20 be made, in the interests OF 4
common country, we question the sincerity
of IL hand-grasp from those who only Il few
weeks ago openly avOwed their opinion that
the results for which they fought were yet
within their grasp--that more could be
gained by diplomacy than by war. We
therefore look with suspicion upon the
many exhibitions offriendship between him,
who at one time preached the doctrine OF
secession, at another time urged the pur-
chase Of the slave property of the South,
and later, signed the bail bond of the rebel
leader between him and those. who failing
in one effort to destroy the Union, only
wait tor more favorable opportunity t.
project another in the same direction.
With these facts before lis, we ask all in,
telligent and patriotic Democrats in this
/ district to calmly consider the situation
! The time has come when every true citizen
/ should plant himself squarely between his
country and her enemies, disguise them
selves as they may. To every Democrat
who fought for her in the field, or prayed
! for at home, who desires steadness in busi
ness circles, the economic administration
of the national finances, the maintainenct
of our national honor, the complete and in
dissoluble Union Of the States to all sucl
we appeal, asking you to Join with us, anC
with the Republican Party, in the supper
of Ulysses 5. Grant and Henry Wilson,"
/ SEVERAL military companies passeC
through this place during the past week ol
their way homeward from Williamsport
where they had been summoned TO quel