The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-21
PennsYlvnnia Democracy.

The new Democratic County Committee Of
Philadelphia has issued an address to tho
rank and file. 1t is signed by ex- Mayor vAUx,
as Chairman, and by others, whose we'll
known purity Of private character and ex-
ceptlonal stcadfastness in the ancient faith
entitle thom to most respectful hearing.
In all Pennsylvania there Is no name OF
better report than that OF RICHARD VAUx.
He was in his day the model Mayor, and tho
stories that are told of his adminlstra-
ton read like the romantic tales con-
corning HARoUN AL RAscHID. He holds
TO all the cardinal doctrines Of Jcffcrsonian
Democracy with the serenity of religious
conviction. He has never, from boyhood to
age wavered hairs breadth. When the
party was vigorous and pure II delighted in
his leadership, and followed because IL
trusted him. Through twenty years OF dis
astcr, many OF them years OF shame for
which trcacherous leaders were in the
main responsible he has marched
with the shattered and diminished
column, always pointing to the straight
road Of principle rs the only road TO victory.
lie has seen the party swept by strange
heresies, and bend to many storms Of popu-
lar passion, but he was ever erect and true.
Home rule. strict construction, metallic
currency, simplicity and purity Of gov
ernment-ln brief the faith delivered to
the saints-is tho faith Mr.. vAUx has kept
through all changes Of time and fortune.
He stands with few fellows among Penn
sylvnnia Democrats, like an oak, tall and
straight, whose roots have reached the liv-
ing springs, and drunk up health to enable
1t to survive the tempcsts which have broken
down the surrounding forest.
The address contains some wholesome
and very timely truths. They are none OF
them new, but we do not remember that
they were ever before stated in a Democrat
ic official paper. Mr. VAUx and his associ-
atcs inform us, without mincing matters In
the least that the men who for years have
controlled the party organization in Phila-
delphia were incompetent dishonest and
treacherous. Good men voted at the prima-
ries at the peril Of their lives. The counting
of the votes was almost farce. There was
scarcely any hope ola decent mans getting
nominated on the local or legislative ticket;
and when such an accident happened, he
was promptly sold out betrayed, and beaten.
This accounts for the hideous character Of
Philadelphia delegations in the Legislature
and I'm Democratic State Conventions They
are always counted upon by the corruption-
lists, and seldom fail to respond. They are
generally known as 1.-THE gang" and they
travel to the scene OF their labors on free
railroad passes, accompanied by q picked
crowd Of ward rowdics, TO do the work OF the
Pennsylvania Railroad and the CAMERON
Ring to the best OF their ability. The rest
OF the State regards Philadelphia, politi-
cally speaking, as n plague spot, seething
in corruption and injecting the whole at
mosphere. We can scarcely pick up Penn
sylvania Democratic newspaper which does
not discuss the matter very much as we
would the localizing OF loathsome and
deadly pest. What shall they do 10 be
saved from Philadelphia, is their cry from
end to end of the Commonwealth.
When TWEED and his Ring were fairly
cornered here, they began TO cry Justify for
always the last refuge OF disMoRegt" b6Hta
clans and its value as an ppeal TO the par
tisan mind was well understood by the
Pennsylvania Democrats who secretly
affiliated with the State Treasury Ring, as
well as by the Philadelphia Pilgrims,
who served the Democracy only TO betray
It. The latter employ it in this emcr-
gcncy, Of course. They deny the right
Of the party to create new organ
ization, free from the corruptiuns Of the
old. That is revolutionary. and would dis
turb the harmony" which is necessary to
success, and which they might also add is
necessary to the peaceful continuance OF
the methods they have found so pleasant
and profitable. But the VAUX Committee
reply that the Pilgrim machine has
already succeeded in reducing the Dem
ocratic vote in the city. until the
Republican majority has become large
enough to swallow up the maiorltles OF all
the great Democratic counties east Of the
Susquehanna. II matters go ON that way
much longer, there will be no party
left to quarrel over The VAUX Committee
therefore decline all overtures, determined
to reform the party at any cost, and cast
out the foul demon though he should take
the bowels Of the victim along with him.