The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-10-09
THE LETTER OF H- GOVERNOR
nr2 =, ~ CURTIN. %h''''.'''"f +,

in his letter, announcing his support
Of Hon. Charles r. Buckalew, Demo:
cratic nominee for Governor, against
Hartranft, the nominee Of the Repub-
lican party of that State,: " while non
committal on the Presidential ques-
tion, is sharp and severe, upon the
subject Of corruption in politics, espe-
cially in Pennsylvania. He says:
"The bad rule that has wholly COM
passed the channels of political ad-
ministrativea authority in Pennsylva!
MIA is not Of recent creation. It was
the tireless but impotent power that
embarrassed the action Of the govern
ment, State and National, during the
dark days of civil war, enthusiastically
struggled to gather. advancement
and gain from the bitter, SORROWS of
the people. -" - I
Six years ago it attained control in
our State. How it was achieved is
remembered with humiliation by all.
Why it was sought and won our sub
sequent history painfully demon demoh
|strates.
The Republican organization; has
made its name illustrious in maintain-
ing, the unity, Of the States andrree
deeming, a continent to freedoms. .GIt
was seized in contempt of the will of
the people, and its victories perverted
to licensed wrong. ..''' = ' f.
Il need not. rccite how, under an
honored name and flag, it has created
widespread, indeed, almost universal
distrust of authority, and made honest
men despair of integrityin legislation,
in elections, in comforting legislative
honGrs, and even in the administration
of public justice. nEr: 4 tie n,Ap,t.t
These terrible and steadily growing
events in our political rule have made
the people demand the right to resume
their sovereignty, to make new safe
guards for themselves, but If the pro
posed convention is to effect thorough
reform, it must be. aided, not hindered,
by the vast power of the Executive
and. other important State officials.
If Mr.. Buckalew shall be defeated and
a new.lease Of authority thus conferred
upon, the despotic control that has
long misruled the commonwealth, it
will be marvellous indeed if the con-
vention chosen in the partisan strife
Of national contest Gun afford any
substantial relief or protection to the
people. If Pennsylvania is to be re-
stored to purity, the Government in
all its departments, as we'll as the
convention, must harmonic fully and
earnestly in the work ol regenera-
|tion.r ~ .iG
Mr.. Buckalew's confessed integrity
and consistent devotion to reform
during many years Of official service,
gives the best possible guarantees Of
honest administration and complete
restraints upon corrupt or reckless
authority, and his election seems to
be demanded by every; consideration
Of individual manhood and fidelity to
the honor and advancement of the
State, If, as is claimed by desperate
leaders in Pennsylvania, to regenerate
our State in October will affect the
national contest, a cause thus to be
endangered must be wanting in the
most essential attributes Of popular
confidence. i ..'s
Actuated solely by sense Of duty
to q people whose devotion in time
past furnishes the most grateful mem.
ories of my life, 1 shall vote ia October
for honest government in our com.
menwealth, and meet the Presidential
issue, when it comes before The people,
in accordance with my long-settled
convictions. I cannot afford to sacri.
fee great contest for constitutional,
legislative and administrative reform,
because q Presidential election is pen
ding. To yield the question. would
give fresh victories for misrule, and
make the effort for just fundamental
restraints either measurably or rwholly
abortiye. ,, a @,.