The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-07-12
Common Sense, Gentlemen.

The elections of this year are of un-
usual importance. A President, Vice
President, Congressman, a Governor,
Judge Of the Supreme Court, Auditor
General and q Legislature which will
select u. s. Senator, are to be chosen.
1t Is vital question to the Democratic
party as to their duty under the cir
cumstances. Every citizen should vote
and vote intelligently. His decision
should not be based upon personal
grounds, but the only question should
he what is the best for the country.
In 1860 the Democrats attempted to
elect two men to the Presidency. As
result the Republicans, though largely
in the minority, defeated us. In 1864,
in the midst of a terrible civil conflict,
we nominated War Democrat and put
him on peace platform. In 1868, we
nominated "straight ont" Democrat
of the strictest sect for President and
an ex.Lincoln General for Vice Presi.
dent. Absurdly enough we put an ad
vocate of specie payments for all our
obligations on a "green-back" platform,
OF course we got whipped again. And
now, in 1872, number Of Democrats
have awakened to the fact that the wal
is over, and its issues determined, that
reputation cannot succeed, that slavery
is lost cause, and propose to deal with
actual, living questions, and leave the
past to history.
What is our duty? The Democratic
Convention with rare unanimity ha'
nominated Greeley and Brown, on The
basis of the Cincinnati Platform. In 6
square fight, on old issues, our oppon
ents have over 800, 900 majority. 1t may
he glorious to die for ones country, bu
we have died so often that we prefer
our opponents should try the expert
ment. "Straight out" nominations arr
very proper when you can elect th'
nominees, but when that is impossible
we should do the next best thing.
would be folly in a general who com
manded an army largely inferior to hi
opponent, to refuse the aid of an ally
who offered to make common caus,
against the enemy.
BY the aid of Liberal Republican,
we rescued Virginia, North Carolina
Georgia, Tennessee and Missouri from
Radical control. If the policy is goo'
i'm State affairs it is in national ones. Ii
our devotion to men not principles, W
nominated Vallandigham for Gov
ernor of Ohio during the war, and no
only got beaten by about 100000 ma
jority, but permanently crippled th'
party there.
The whole question in nutshell i
whether Grant or Greeley shall be Pres
ident,upon the different platforms. Th
one has been in power four years, ant
no Democrat can endorse his record
He is the type of fraud, military rule
ignorance and incompetency. He i
the head of the "bummer" politicians
He and servile Congress, have no
only struck at us as party, but hav
dealt fearful blows at constitutional lib
erty and have endeavored to concen
trate imperial power in selfish and cor
rupt hands. His foreign policy is
farce-his domestic rule that of tn
bayonet-his financial schemes giganti
specuIations in the interest of himsel
and friends, and his morals those of tn
tavern and turf.
Respectable men in the Republican
ranks have revolted against this, an
we have applauded them for 80 doing
If Mey haze done right, zoe cannot d
acrong in striking hands aoith them. Sum
ner, Trumbull, Schurz, and host G
other prominent Republicans have rt
volted against the Grant Oligarchy an
there is no abandonment of principl
in uniting with them. Victory is enoug
for us, only mercenaries think Of th
spoils.
1t is argued that Greeley has been G
IS a Republican. In struggle for lii
man does not examine very critical.
the weapon thrown him for defense. ]
is enough for us that he agrees with u
on all vital questions. He favors un
versal amnesty, civil service reform
and is opposed to Capitalization I
power ,nepotism and bayonet rule. Pc
sonally, he is honest and able and his a.
pointees to Office would possess the SAN
quail fications. The difference betwee
him and us is not greater than ths
between the war and peace Democrats
or the specie and green.back Demt
Gratis.
Lastly, as Democrats we have alwa,
believed in the doctrine that "the M
jority should rule" Our party Convei
ton, after careful consultation wit
all interests and all sections has name
Greeley and Brown as our candidate
with unparalleled unanimity. TT
South, which had most cause for bite
ness was the most enthusiastic in tn
movement, and we of the North shoul
not be more ultra than the late rebels.
A Democratic voter at home is vo
for Grant ; vote for him is treason
our organization, and an endorsemel
of his administration. The issue
Greeley or Grant, the success of Rad
calism or the triumph of Conservatism
"Choose ye this day whom ye W
serve"
0flicehOlders "COme Down."
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