The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-09-23
REPUTATION IN POTJTTco

ana tnou9n the people, WHO tancied tber
selves pretty we'll informed as to tho y
acters of their eminent fellow-citizans
congratulated themselves upon the a.
tionally excellent character Of tho
tive candidates, they are now beqinn;rie iee,
hear, from superserviceable organs nf., %
one party and the other, accusatiopq '4'
damaging to Hartrauft, Rawle. ParsI lu-]
and Piolett.
This sort of business was once mor,
pular than it is at present, and il q ~
growing unpopularity is sign Of tho r s
advanced civilization of to-day. Perr.'G; ,''G
defamation was the chief stock in tra5a o-',
the journalistic opponents of Cove"
Hartranft in 1872, but they invested 'a,.I asI
dealt SO extensively in it as to cro,.e. ~
strong sympathy and support for him er.
among men whose political opinions w.. w."
adverse to his. There is now no donI
whatever entertained that his majority ~.
very significantly increased by the crrJ
mendacious and cowardly assaults ~,
made upon him by certain newspapers. WIsI
for political and personal reasons, We're oir.,'
up for months together to the vile work -
eliminating that brave soldier and boDo,
able citizen. a decent public opinion. bor
ever, brought confusion upon his n.
ducers by triumphantly electing him Cav
ernor of Pennsylvania and, indeed. som.
of the papers which waged the unclean fsF,
most fercely have never recovered the p.
spect and confidence they lost by their m.
scrupulous assaults upon General Hartrapf
We only cite this instance to show tb,.
personal detraction of honorable gentlena,
by partisan newspapers, simply because thev
are candidates of Il party, is not only ii.
graceful in itself, but that it IS inexpedjsr-
being a weapon that returns to plague #.
inventor. As against Hartranft, it fai,ei
utterly in 1872, and so it will in 1875.
Considering all things, we very much
doubt if it would be possible for the con.
ventions to have nominated four gcntlemn
of higher character than those elected By
the Lancaster and Erie Conventions as CON-
petitors for the offices of Governor and
State Treasurer. And it would be well #
the superserviceable organs of either party
were to closely consider the recent speeches
of General Hartranft and Judge Persimr
| in which each candidate for Governor sr5ks
of the personal character of the other IN
terms Of the greatest respect. And tbs Is
characteristic Of both men, for both are
men of character and honorable instincts
1t fortunately happens that the praza.
contest in Pennsylvania Is one into which
the question of personal character does DO.
enter The issues are greater and bro2de.
questions Of political economy, wise GOV
ernment, State-craft 1t also, fortuna,glr
happens that the qualifications Of the RI.
publican candidate for the Office Of Cover
nor are already known. Expericncc-that
best of teachers-has demonstrated the De-
culiar fitness of Governor Hartranft for the
Office he now holds, and to which he is to
be re lected. For nearly three years he has
daily testified to his fellow citizens his H.
telligence, fidelity and statemanship: lis
administration has been alike wise, pru-rls-
sive and economical not only has the debt,
of the Commonwealth been steadily anil
largely reGu;ed, but taxation also. The
burden has been lifted from the shoulders
Of the people in many ways, and. if he had
no other claims to the respect and support
of the voters of Pennsylvania, if he had
not fought their battles daily for Years to
gether, risking fortune and life in the cause
Of human liberty, and winning battles toc
the perpetuation of our free institution his
three years record as Governor of t}is
, Commonwealth would entitle him to d re-
election.
If the personal character Of Judge Per
shing is without reproach, SO also S that
of General Hartranft. But Judge Per
shing is a man untried in the oncrous posi-
tion to which he aspires he Is withCu, the
experience of his opponent, and because be
is good judge it cannot be safely assumed
that he would make as good 4 Goyeruor
The one servant we have tried, finding bun
faithful, entergetic, honest, economical
wise. Shall we displace him for one alto,
gether untried, whose ftnsss is a mere mat
ter of speculation ? Besides, what Patrl0-
tic service has Judge Pershing ever rcn,
dered to commend him to the gratitude oI
his countrymen When General Hart
, ranft was in the field, daily exposing BIS
life before the enemy, counting the dls,He
, , ton of being the first in the fight, the IaS.
out of it, doing great and chiyaric de.d'
for his country, Judge Pershing was ly'77
; in inglorious ease, ranged politically VIII"
those against whom Hartranit was hSA'
ing.
! We are of those who have for years uTSS'
that the bitterness of the war should C
buried, that the enemies of the Union sioui,
be forgiven and forgotten but we are n'
of those who demand that those who su''
s against the country, because they did A
V side with it, shall mount to places OF non"
: and trust over the heads Of these W"
: fought the most desperately, brayeIy "p.
4 victoriOusly ly that the Union should en0e'
t and the bondman so free, While they nv n
e our debt of gratitude to those who i'u5D
o our battles aud gave us the victory H 1.
e ever active debt, and, while they prove S,' !,
4 worthy of new honors, it would be ''D
: blacklist ingratitude to Withhold such h0'O'