Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-09-30

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way in this election : II they do not
do this they may fall into the trap set
for the people, and then we all shall
feel that nationalism is curse.
Turn from Mr.. Garfeld's letter of
acceptance TO that Of General Han
cock. lie bows to the DEGREES of the
Constitution. He accepts its teach
ings, he is imbued with its faith its
terms to him are sacred his earnest
ness shines out in every line, and
when he swears to support the Consti-
tuition in its letter and spirit we know
he means to do so. Those who formed
it not only chose fitting words to tell
its meaning, but patriotism, like re-
ligion, has its symbols, No flag which
floats in the winds of Heaven tells so
much as ours of the history and char
acter of the government it represents.
Its stripes recall the names of the
States which fought the battle which
gave us liberty, and which crowned
their glorious work by forming our
Union. The States are numbered by
the stars which glitter upon its blue
field. He who would strike one star
from its place, or who would blend or
blur these symbols SO that they would
tell only of obscure nationalism, has
latent treason in his heart.
We are asked why we took a soldier
for our standard-bearer? To whom
can we intrust it with more safety
than TO one who has had its deep and
grand significance burnt into his very
being by the fires of battle-felds ?
There is not a color upon its folds,
there is not stripe upon its emblazon-
ry, there is not star upon its azure
ground that has not been made sacred
to him. The appeal which drew him
and his fellow-soldiers from their homes
to the battle field, was to rally round
the stars and stripes and to uphold the
Union. They will never make our
flag an unmeaning thing they will
see to it that it remains true emblem
of the spirit Of our Constitution. BY
the peoples vote General Hancock
will bear this standard on to victory
in this contest as he has heretofore
done on the bloody fields Of battle.
He has learned from it the grand pur-
poses of the Constitution by teachings
amid all the solemn lessons of war, by
the inspirations of the battle field, by
the sad and solemn aspects of the
blood-stained earth and the dying
groans of men when the struggle has
ended. He has learned the great les
sons of craftsmanship, not amid scenes
of party strife, not in an atmosphere
tarnished by personal ambition or
scheme of plunder, but where Wash
ington and Jackson learned the lesson
of duty to their country and of obedi-
ence to its laws and Constitution. 1t
is now charged by our opponents that
we are inconsistent when we place a
soldier at the head of the Govern
ment The propriety of doing this
depends upon the character of the
man and the nature of the service
upon which he has been engaged.
The general who has fought only for
victory or a conquest, or has been en-.
gagged only to promote schemes of am
bition or CRAFTY feelings of hate, has
been taught upon the battlefield only
lessons of force and violence. But
those who have dared the perils of
war to free their country of oppres-
sion, to gain for it an independent
government, to resist hostile invasions
or to uphold it against resistance to
its rightful authority, have their mind
filled with objects instructive, enno-
bling and patriotic.
With intellects quickened by all the
dangers and excitements of the strife
they see more clearly than other men
the value of obedience TO laws and the
duty of sacrificing all things for their
country's good. Ii was in this school
that Washington learned the grand
duty of laying down his sword and
retiring to private life when the world
thought he would claim crown as
his reward. This act, so constantly
referred to in other lands as we'll as
our own, gave him his Immortality.
It was in the same school, under
like influences, that in the hour of
victory Jackson curbed and restrained
his fiery spirit and submitted to in
Justice and indignity because it was
imposed upon him by legal tribunal.
"Tf called to the Presidency should
deem it my duty to resist with all my
power any attempt to impair or evade
the full force and effect of the Consti-
tuition, which, in every article, section
and amendment, is the supreme law of
the land."-WINFIELD ScoTT HAN.
COCK.
He who has learned to obey right.
full authority has been taught the
great lesson which fits him to exercise
| oothor;ty He who revarancea the