Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-07-15
An Important Convert.
From the Luzerno Union. Leader.


General A.. L. Pearson. of Allegheny
county, has been one of the leading and
most Influential Republicans OF West.
ern Pennsylvania. lie was chairman
of the Republican city committee of
Pittsburg, member for Pennsylvania of
the Union Veteran National Commit
tee. and occupant of a number of other
positions of Importance under his
party. lie was brigadier general
during the rebellion, has been District
Attorney of Pittsburg, to which Office
he was chosen by the Republicans, and
in the prosecution of Rebublican State
campaigns has been one of the most
trusted lieutenants OF the chiefs of his
party. A telegram from Pittsburg dat.
ed the ID, announced that, "much to
the surprise OF everybody" he had de-
clared himself for Hancock and Eng
lish. That evening General Pearson
addressed an immense Hancock ratif.
cation meeting at Greensburg, West.
moreland county. In the course OF his
speech he said:
Probably we can even carry the Re.
publican stronghold of Allegheny coun.
ty, for we have the lines of battle drawn
as Hancock had them drawn at the
battle of Gettysburg and somebody will
get hurt. The Republicans do not
always carry this State. 1t is but few
years since we elected a Democrat for
lieutenant governor, John Latta, OF
Greensburg. He was a soldier, and |
firmly believe another soldier will as.
tonish you in November by carrying
this State, and that is General Hancock.
You may wonder why | am SO enthusi.
astic over General Hancock but no man
living can describe him. You must see
him as | have seen him on the field OF
battle. General Hancock is as pure a
man at heart as any man living. He is
honest, he is capable, he is the beau
ideal of the dierstatesman."
General Pearson has resigned his
position as chairman OF the City Repub.
lican Committee of Pittsburg. and on
Saturday addressed the following letter
to General Grant
"PITTsBURG, PA, July 9, 1880.
"To General u. s. Grant, Chairman Union
Veterans National Committee.
GENERAL After seven years connec-
ton with the Union Veterans National
Committee, over which you have the honor
TO preside, / am compelled TO tender my
resignation as the member from Pennsyl-
vana. i have reluctantly come 10 the
conclusion that the influence of the great
historical party Is ended and ought 10 end,
that those who pretend 10 keep up its or
ganization are doing SO for Office and gain =,
and that its encouragement Of sectional
hate is constant menace to the Union.
No permanent issues worthy of being call
ed national issues divide the two parties.
Free trade and protection are alike the in
cident of localities, and hence we find free
trade Republicans in the West and East
with protective Democrats in the Middle
States. The entire issue that divides the
two opposing parties is the issue of hate
and usurpation on the side of the Republic
can party with military dictation at the
polls. Against this dangerous policy the
Democratic party has arrayed itself pnd
has chosen AS its standard bearer the gall
liant General Winfield Scott Hancock, who
has placed himself squarely on that issue
by proclAiming that the right Of trial by
the jury, the habeas corpus, the liberty OF
the press, the freedom OF speech, the natu-
raj rights OF pefsoHs anu tue ElbuG Oh
property must be preserved. In choosing
between these two parties / cannot see
how patriot can blunder. Surely every
soldier, who fought with Hancock 10 con-
quer peace will vote with him and for him
TO make tina; peace effectusl and perma-
nent. Entertaining the highest respect for
my fellow-committeemen and earnestly
hoping that they will view this imp0rtan,
matter in the light that do and come "a
the same conclusion, viz TO vote for
Gen. Hancock, l am very respectfully
your obedient servant,
"a. L. PEARSON
We commend this admirable letter
to the careful perusal of every soldier
who fought for and every citizen who
loves the Union. 1t is an admirable
presentment of the only issue of real
importance that awaits the immediate
arbitrament of the people. 1t re.echo.
sentiments frequently expressed in
these columns, sentiments that must
needs go home TO large numbers oI
voters who have not heretofore acted
with the Democratic party and impel
them TO enrolment under Hancock and
English in November.