Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-08-12
WITHOUT AN ISSUE.
From Hancock Campaign Bulletin.

Prom Hancock Campaign Bulleiih.
Ii is not necessary TO read more
than one Republican paper to become
convinced that the Republican party
is sadly at sea for an issue on which to
conduct their campaign. The nomi-
nation Of Hancock has deprived them
of any comfort they may have ex-
pected TO gain from a campaign of
bloody shirts, which now Aaunt feebly
for the want Of gore with which to
straighten out their folds. The ster-
ling integrity and popular character
of the Democratic candidates take
away from them the material for a
personal campaign, even if the doubt
ful character of their own nominee did
not effectually silence anything they
would like 10 say antagonistic TO the
Democratic standard bearer.
The fact that the greater portion of
their party manifested warm prefer
ence for soldier like Grant, and was
compelled 10 compromise on soldier
like Garfield, deprives the press and
the party speakers of the prestige that
might accrue to them from campaign
against a military ruler.
The haphazard character of the
criticisms that have thus far been
made against Hancock shows that
the party policy of the Radicals is
still far from being defined, and the
most they have been able tn say
against the Democratic leader is that
he hung Mrs. Surratt, who was tried
during a Republican administration,
arraigned by a Republican tribunal
and condemned by Republican judges.
Again, an argument fully as weak,
is that Hancock, being by profession
a soldier, knows little or nothing of
the essentials of good government,
and is devoid of record on any
question of public moment.
Admitting, for the sake Of argument,
that this is true, and what n contrast
it affords to the position of Garfield,
who was found with the paid lobby
lists in the Credit-Mobilier legislation.
and whose services, as the chairman
of the committee on appropriations,
were considered worth $4,000 to the
De Golyer pavement contractors. 1t
Is better to have no record than to be
burdened with a dishonest one, as
the friends of the Chicago nominee
have discovered to their sorrow. It
is better to have a simple military
commander" honest and fearless in
the discharge of his duty, than a
mrch-courted legislator, sought out
for his influence, and cajoled for his
vote. Hancock's record has been
open to the light Of day ever since his
name was enrolled as a soldier of the
Republic. His name is found on the
records of many a hard-fought battle
during the rebellion. At Gettysburg
he saved the day, and virtually ended
the war. On that day, out of confu-
sion and disorder he brought order
and victory. His honor rs a soldier
has always been above question. That
he will develop any traits unworthy
of his reputation as the candidate of
true Democracy, or as the executive
of the nation, is a piece of campaign
malice, unjust and untrue. The Rad
icals can make no war on Hancock's
record. The North takes him at his
true worth, and the South accepts him
as the man whose election will forever
stifie She long, worn-out cry of rebel
lion. The Republicans can make no
war upon him. His record Is unas-
sailahle. They must find more sub
stantial issue for the campaign. We
Democrats have thus early given them
: hard nut 10 crack in the character
and record Of Garfield. Let them IL.
Ha1zd Il II khav can.