The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-10-18
October Sth 1872.

The campaign just closed, ending with
the election Of John L. Hartranft as
Governor Of this Commonwealth, was
in some respects of more Importance
than any ever held in the State. 1t was
not m erely a contest between two polit-
ical parties for supremacy in the State
Administration it was struggle be-
tween the people and the politicians OF
a corrupt organization. The great ques-
ton at issue was not "Shall we ha We a
Democratic ruler over us" but "Shall
fraud and corruption in high places be
overthrown." The answer is disheart-
ening. 1t is shown beyond peradventure
that the voice Of the people which has
been said to be "the voice of God" is not
so pow erfuI as the money and means of
few shrewd and inscriptions politi-
cal managers. The plot which opened
with the nomination Of candidates not
acceptable to even the honest and
thoughtful members of their own party,
has eliminated in the election Of those
cand idates by bribery and frauds of a
| magnitude heretofore unknown in any
| Northern State. Money was spent
lavishly, voters were purchased, inor-
dinate registration was had, hordes OF
| negroes and rowdies from adjoining
| states were sent into various districts
to vote Illegally and the. the end attain
ed is like the means employ
graceful. The subject is one which de.
mands more than trihing expression
Of regret for defeat. The vital principle
of a republican form ofgovern ment is
destroyed if the money and influence Of
one man or set Of men can absolutely
control the ballot box. The same means
which created majority of more than
10000 for John f. Hartranft in the city
of Philadelphia may create yet larger
in years to come. The same unblushine
effrontery which made registration o
more than 1G2, 900 in that city, an in,
crease of Al 600 over that of last year
may effect greater increase at the next
election. The same system which trans
formed the police into aids and guides
to New York and New Jersey rowdies
in repeating, and stayed the hand o
liustice from Furnishing the crimes, may
| be and aoM be repeated. Where is thi'
all to end? An election in Pennsylvania
taking this one as a sample, is a mock
cry. 1t were as we'll that none wert
held. If the people are so corrupt as t,
be bought and sold like sheep in TIN
shambles, or are SO Indifferent as TO lool
unmoved upon political dcbauchery
then are we como indeed to deplOrabl,
I straits. When dishonest and vcnal po
liticians exist they may be swept ava!
by popular Indignation but when tn
people themselves are depraved wher,
are we to look (?
The lesson of this October election i
written in bold characters and easily t
: be read. II is this; that no honest man
no opponent of the present ruling pow
ers in the State, can be elected eXcep
by majority so overwhelming as Il
render hopeless the attempt TO nullif.
it by fraudulent counting or ballot bo.
stuffing. 1t is terrible thing to con
template but it is,nevertheless, true
Unless strong, earnest, vigorous resis
! tapce is sofiered by thepeople themseve;
and the present condition of affair
changed. an election in this State
shut sound and fury signifying notl
ling.u