Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-28
PENNSYLVANIA.
May +th, 1875.

re ~ " 4 II Il Ia
The Republican State Convention OF
Pennsylvania seems to have been con-
Quoted with excellent judgment. The re-
nomination of Governor Hartranft met
with no opposition. His administration
of the State government has been gener-
ally approved. A second term was there
fore conceded to him by general consent
The only contest in the convention was
over the nomination Of Treasurer, but as
both the contestants were men of good
character and abilities the nomination
could not fail to be good one.
The platform presents many admirable
features. While it is outspoken on most
of the issues agtating the State, it is dis
Greet and ably drawn. Prominent in the
resolutions is the foundation principle OF
the republican party-the equality of all
men before the law. Properly following
this comes the idea of national unity, the
supremacy of the general government.
he States bound together in an indissolu'
BILE union,- doctrine very different from
that which holds that States may break the
bonds of unity and secede at pleasure.
On the question of the execution OF the
laws, economy in administration. and hon
esty and fidelity in public office, the resoi-
utions express the public sentiment COM
pletely. The encouragement of home la
Dor, establishment of harmony between
capital and labor, securing of cheap trans
portation, free banking and safe and uni
form currency. reduction of the national
debt, reservation of the public domain for
actual settlers, equalization of soldiers
bounties. are all subjects of importance.
and very properly find place and approval
in the State platform.
But the resolve in relation to third
term will probably excite as much atten-
ton and comment as any. 1t is so emphatic
in its condemnation of the third term idea
that no one can mistake its meaning. 1t
declares it to be the unwritten law of the
republic that the limit of Presidential SER
vice shall be two terms only, and to the
maintenance of that law the republicans
of Pennsylvania pledge themselves.
There is no evasion of the issue presented,
no peg left on which cavilers can hang an
objection, no chance for dispute as to the
position the republicans of Pennsylvania
occupy on this much discussed subject.
This is the in manner which it should be
treated. Any half-and-half manner OF dis
posing of 1t is worse than silence. The
appearance of timidity or insincerity in
dealing with it furnishes strength to those
who agitate it for party capital.
The commentator of President Grants
administration in the following resolves is
tribute of deserved respect. No admin
istration can avoid mistakes More espes-
cially is the government liable to misrep-
resentation as well as error in such diff
cult circumstances as those which followed
the rebellion and still continue. Re-
construction of the Southern States and
inc management vi tuc puDhC
finances since President Grant was
inaugurated in 1869 have been tasks
of extraordinary magnitude. On the
whole the success of his administration in
dealing with them has been beyond dis
pute. The honest purpose and large ex-
ecutive ability of President Grant have
accomplished good work, and it is only
justice that the people should acknowl-
edge it in their conventions.
Now let the republicans of Pennsylya-
mia, regulars, independents, of whatever
name or faction they may be, move in
union and strength for the support OF the
ticket which they have nominated and the
principles enunciated in their platform.
Away with the discord that has divided
the party in the past. bring out the full re-
publican vote next November, and roll W
up q majority for Hartranft that will as
sure the country how Pennsylvania will
90 in November 1876.