Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-06-16
THE OLD QUESTION

ltlstho old question OF States rights
that now comes to the front not, as
heretofore, between the two great par
tics, but between the warning factions
Of the Republican party, and they are
fighting over it with that peculiar bit.
torncss that is always Characteristic OF
family feuds.
IL may be wicked for Democrats to
regard this fierce encounter with some
thing akin to pleasure, but the Demo.
cratic party has never proiessed to be
truly good, has never boosted of III
Christian statesmen, has mover sent
missionaries to deliver tho black men
of tho South iron the oppression Of
their white neighbors, has never rob.
bed any Freodmen's bank, has never
stolen the funds appropriated to buy
grave-stones for the soldiers, In fact
the Democratic party hasn't done any
Of those things which make u party
truly good, Therefore, Democrats are
wicked, and they laugh-a cold, bitter
sneering, cruel laugh-when they see
the Radicals fighting over this old
issue of States rights,
The New York Tribune wants tC
know-and wants the information bad
ly and in Il hurry--whethcr the Re
publican party is Confederate" OF
National" and il goes on to remark
that.
This question summarizes the vital issue which
separates the Grant from the nti-Gfant elements
Is the Chicago Convention TO be n Convention ol
delegates from Siaiesi Can a majority In each
delegation rightfully cast the votes Of themselves
and the votes Of the gagged muoriiyl Is the
Convention composed Of forty seven units, or oil
seven hundred and thirty.six unitsY Are the
masters Of these forty seven units the "bosses" Of
the body Il the Convention truly representa-
tive body, embodying the "National" idea, or Il
IL moulded on the "COnledorate" idea2 No more
vital questions can be asked for on tho answer
to them depepends the future Of the Republican
party Tboss who put forth the monstrous pre-.
tontions involved in these questions propose to
degrade Il. To oonoede them Is 10 sign the death.
warrant Of the party. No Conventiontion has
ever tolerated this claim. No one can, without
dishOnOr and disgrace.
The Tribune says good deal more
in the same vein, and proceeds to show
that in attempting to enforce the unit
rule the Grant men are trying to sub.
vert the fundamental principles Of
their party. 1t quotes the action Of
previous Conventions, showing that
the elder Cameron and Mr. Conkling
have heretofore demanded the right Of
each district delegate to vote as he
pleased, and that this demand has
never been made in vain. In conclu.
sion, the Tribune tells the unit rule
advocates, meaning Of course, the
Grant crowd, that
The Republican party will tolerate no such
importinenoe. Itsprang, iullarmed aud mighty
out Of a reaction from the Odious and repressive
tactics Of slave drivers. Representing the magi.
cal thoughts Of Free Soil and Free Speech, ," II
smote the enemies of both, hip and thigh, ana II
waverod not, though its work carried Il through
smoke and Ere up to the jaws Of death. Strength.
ened by this victory, It to-day adds to its old.
time vatchwords the inspiring demands Of 'iair
play and equal rights" Whoever darts, let him
interposo his puny arm It will be ground tC
powder The Republican party is 10 no mood to
parlcy with Statesmen who shine only as bullies,
or as upstairs The airs Of the slave-driying era
will be out Of place in the Republican National
Convention Of 1880.
This is rather emphatic. 1t smacks
of business. Itshows that theirs is to
be desperate attempt to free the dis
trict delegates from the operation oi
the unit rule. 1t shows, too, that
Conkling, Cameron, Carpenter, Logan
and all their stalwart associates are
the most intense States rights mer
when that doctrine is necessary tC
compass their desperate schemes
When it became desirable for Mortor
to help steal States, in the Electora
Commission, he set up theory o
States rights that would have scared
Mr. Calhoun. The Grant men, in theil
emergency, are following that prece
dent, Morton made it win. Conk
ling, Logan & Co. are likely to be al
fortunate.