Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-06-19
SPEECH or
HON. CHARLES r. BUCkALEW.

= The following is the address delv.
cred before tho Reading convention
by the Democratic candidate for Gov.
ernor on his acceptance Of the nomi-
nation. Mr. Buckalew said
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the
Conuention | appear this morning in
your presence in pursuance of the re-
quest of the committee which waited
upon me, to tender to you, and through
you, too, / hope, n majority Of the
people of this State, my sincere, heart
felt, earnest thanks for the great hon
or which has been done me in nomi.
mating me as the Democratic candi.
date for Governor of this Common
wealth. (Cheers.) This nomination
SO rendered was not solicited by me-,
1t came, if I understand the facts cor
rectly, as the legitimate, health out
growth of public opinion in this State ;
not so much because of any general
conviction of prominent ability in the
individual who has been selected, not
because Of any shining or distinguish
ed character which has been establish.
ed by him, but because throughout
this Commonwealth, having had an
opportunity for nearly quarter of a
century Of observing my course and
conduct in public position, they have
attained to the belief that, whatever
may be said of your candidate, he is
neither to be seduced nor intimidated
in the performance of public duty ;
and that judging by the past, it is
likely in the future, when the interest
of class or of n clique are upon the
one hand and the interests OF the peo-
pie upon the other, he will stand
firmly with that great mass OF hu.
manity from which he sprang and
with which he sympathizcs in every
fibre OF his being. (Renewed cheers. }
Gentlemen, of this action taken by
you speak now impersonally. This
action taken by you will be sanctioned
and ratified promptly by no low, by
no mere personal objects, but by pa
triotic motives. With honest convic.
tions we go forward into the contest,
assured that its result will bc triumph.
! (Cheers.) And what do we desire
Not merely that certain men repre-
senting us shall hold public office; not
that mere qualification of party and
passions shall come TO us, but that
this Government of ours shall be hon
est and pure, fair and equal in its ac
ton with regard to all our people
and above all, at this .uncture, that
those reforms which are necessary il
the Government of our State, as wei
as in the Government of the Unitec
States, shall be secured TO the people
by all the agencies appropriate anC
adequate to their attainment The
people of this State have determined
that Constitutional Convention fair
ly selected, and representing all thu
: people of the State, shall be convened
the present year, and that, so far al
it is necessary to meet the exigcncie
of the times by fundamental changes
this shall be secured. But we know
that something more than this Il
necessary that constitutional provi
sions must be general and vague il
character, at least to certain extent
! and that for the application and en-
! forcement of sound principles Of gov
, ornment we must have reliable mel
! in public office. An old political mot
to and favorite one, which you hav'
often heard, is this, "Principles, no
men" / believe the Latin equivalen
for this expression was placed BY MI
Madison upon his carriage, SO that h
should be constantly reminded OF Tn
truth which was supposed to be con
tanned in it. Well now, gentlemen
l think under tho experience we hav
had in recent times we should amen,
this motto; we should say now "Prin
cipes, and men TO support them.
Look to your Government in th
r States, look to your Government a
! w ashington, and is it not maniics
that although good principles ar
written in your fundamental law, q
though the people arc everywher
desirious that they shall tc applied
yet there is failure because the agent
for their application are unfaithiul Q
incompetent Be il now our missio
, in this year Of initial reform, 1872, B
i it our mission to 90 forward in th
selection of men who will appl
American principles in American Go'
crnment (Grcat cheering.)
Gentlemen, my ideas of tho duti'
of the Governor Of the Commonwealt
are, ] suppose, somewhat peculiar
y Ny idea is that he is magistrate,
be is called, that in his high, his in
portant Office, / mean in the aotu
discharge of its duties, he is not
know that a party has elected him,
k. Tremendous applausc) Hc is to
The magistrate Of the entire people
the Commonwealth. Ho is not 70 !
loose criminal from your penite
,g tiarics because political favorites d
of mand his release (moro applause), NJ
" is he IN any manner TO prostitu
II these powers which were created i'
z the common advantage to the pu
I'd poses or interests of any limited nur
ve ber or few. Gentlemen, beie'
there is n disposition AZ this time
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