The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-03-18
THURSDAY, MARCH Is, 1879.

eay" We are pleased to see that our distin-
gushed neighbor over the way has, in one
respect, come back to first principles, aud in
bunting arguments in condemnation of some
of the acts Of Congress and of the national
administration, does not hesitate to quote
freely from those sterling Republican sheets,
the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Boston Adrer-
fi5sr and the Utica Herald The fact is that
true Democracy runs in those channels, and
when the 60gUS articles, as set forth in the
Monroe Democrat for the last twelve or IF
teen years turns its eyes in those directions
for politicallight, it intimately better show
ing than was the Coon's in his remaining out
in February when he thought he saw his
shadow, when, really, he should have gone
iuto his hole because he did not see it. The
fact is, that the Democrat might have found
nearer home, an authority upon which to
base Il leader that in the general run of the
acts of the administration, relative to south
ern affairs, there was a Democracy which
ought not to have been over looked, and
which could not be, without endangering the
supcrstructure upon which the Republican
party rested The Jcfcrsoniun has been no
ways mealy mouthed in condemning acts
which the administration thought necessary
spg the salvation of the country first and the
party afterwards is the country first because
that IS always to be considered before all
party, and the principle should be to sink
everything, if necessary, to maintain. the
country and the rights and liberties of the
people intact.
But our neighbor is not used to an indie
penient, manly course Even in a little
rough and tumble scramble for the 'oaves
and fishes" within his own party, he has not
thus far, dared to speak out openly for the
best incumbent for whom the party was seek
ing. He was afraid really, because he did ut
know which side was going to win-forget-
tias that as the organist of the party it was
hi- duty to lead the singing, and pipe the
tunes to which his co partizans were to dance.
tul often times we have felt constrained to
60 to his rescue; and as often have we sue
cesstuIIy brought about peace among the
brethren, and made Democracy unit, when
otherwise, but for the JEFF, it would have
been loose at ends, and family quarrel off
nuai2ntiouable magnitude would have been
ane result of his weak knecdness Why, for
several years past. because in contest for
three dollar job Of post Office printing he hap
penad to underbid and defeat us he has
hardly dared to venture word of his own in |
condemnation Of the administration-beli |
ing, verify, either that that job had bound
hiui to silence, or that, in the far distant
future, another job might loom up, which an
Independent expression of opinion would
c--.1gcr.
7, was not because Of want of will, nor dis
cr'm.aation, nor capacity, that our distin-
2ui~hed neighbor acted thus He possesses
ali these to a remarkable degree and, bar
ring an idiomatic trait possibly, can handle
them to an infinitely better degree than even
his favorite cotemporary the New York TIi-
d'atc. But his knees, politically speaking,
are weak, and when it comes to the question
u dare to do, he lacks the manly spirit to
Go in spite Of all daring. And just here lies
the difference between the independence Of
tie ,Jgf. and the subserviency Of the Demo-
cTGf-the former dare condemn where
fhe latter must keep quiet. The one
Is moved by right, the other by the mere
politicians policy. The one processes to be
L captain 10 the grand march Of the army of
progress, and leads sucecssfully-the other is
= lullhering baggage wagon, numbering on in
the rear, and following only in the track in
w..:ch It is led.
:, .s not remarkable that the Democrat
diI not recognize the JET: in its comments
upon the administration wrongs That
would have been an acknowledgement of its
own lack Of independence, and our distin-
guished neighbor is too wise for that; and
set he shows great lack of wisdom in en-
deavoring to ignore the JEFF, because the
people are cognzant Of its existence, rely
upon IT'S integrity and manhood, and gener-
ally act upon its suggestions Whether it is
g Judge, Congressman or a Legislator that
is wanting the JET shaped public opinion,
even in Democratic Monroe, when the Demo
crat dare not, politically call its soul its own.
Il was the JET, which elected Judge Dreher,
John B. Storm ana VIM. Kistler, and later
still Frank D. Collins-or rather the Jef's
influence, which, as Democrats had to be
elected, pointed out the best men for the
party TO select, and it did so because the
Democrat didn't ike to for fear of giving
offence
KEEP it before the people that those els
terms are prime necessity for our safety from