Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-08-19

The following able and well-diges' !.
ted article eu:the congressional sltua-ss
ton in this district we copy from the
'Lewistown Free Press, ~and comrend
IL TO the candid consideration of the
readers OF the JoNrMQl: ~
The COuhwyessiohnI QUESTION Of 1878
.. GontrAsaSd wlth- 1850. X
The campaign otas7s wRs a NRenomenaI one,
I'm Pennsylvania politics. For the first time In
many years q disturbing element entered into
the contest which threatened destruction to the
calculations Of the most astute leaders In both
the old parties. A third ticket was In the field
for State, and, In mostcases, feG congressional
legislative anil county ofBeers- TtEe strength
OF this third party waasthe unknown Quantity
which confused the Judgement otSe&f political
managers and made them more than anxious to
propitiate Us far as possible those OF their own
household who hadSgathered under the new
banner Under the lead of mistaken men the
campaign became n crusade against property
the obligations OF the government and partlcu-
larly the National Banks. IL was the mlSfor-
tune OF ex-GoY. Curtin To be n candidate for
congress at this juncture In q district In which
the feelipg against men. OF wealth was lashed
- y
into White heat FiOn every portion OF hs
district was heard the most vlrtuent dcnuncil
ton OF those who were financially Interested
In National Banks, or who were e'hohiers of tho
bonds of our government 1t was a time when
mems reason was oYerthrown and their pas
sions cunplngly played upon. Governor Curt9.
was a!StOeR holder In q National Bank, man
of large means, and therefore the legitimate
prey of those who were clamOrOuS for nothing
| more or hess thNst tho annihilatIon OF all who
were even remotely connected with institutions
which they hated so cordially. The magnificent
services OF Governor Curtin to his State and
country mis- matchless devotion Hrd patriotic
self sacrifice in the dark hours OF civil war; the
unfaded lustre lie SHE'D upon the great com
monWealth whose chief executive tho was, h-
! boring day aud night 30 equip her brave sons as
they focked around hi M at his call ready 70 10
battle for their country's honor, all these things
were forgotten In 1873, and Governor Cprtin's
connection with a National Bank was sufficient
to .efface "a past that .isSklorlOus with NOBLE
deeds. = 9
Locking back d!spassionately as the sur,
| roundings OF the congressional ;carqPaign OF
1878, the passions evoked and aroused, the pre-.
| jRaices appealed 10 and all the influence at
work. it win be cOlcede that Gov. Curtin had
! much to contend wish. Aud yet with all ibis
weight to carry Le received the spfrages of lS,-.
SSl voters In the distrlct only 500 less than tho
Democratic candidate for Supreme judge re-
! celved at the same election, and only 6A below
the Democratic vote cast for Lieut. Governor,
which is perhaps the faireSt test of party
strength at that time In the counties composing.
| the 10Th congressional district. Mr.. Di'S vote
Was l4,245, only S64 In excess OF that cast for
Gov. Curtin. in district In which they both re-
sided, and who could tluthfully plead not gnflty
to the charge OF being bond holder, then held
to be the unpar donabie sin by the new factor In
| politics. =
How different viii be the canvass OF 1880!
! With Winfield Scott Hancock Us the Democrats
ic candidate for President, 10 seems most ap-
prODFiate that Andrew &. Curtin should ac-
company him on the ticket for congress In the
10th district. Every plea made for Haue0ck ar.
plies with equal force to Curtin. While Han.
cock was 1strtkIngh heavy blows against armed
| rebeliiOnon the battleheids OF the UnIen, Cur
tin, the illustriouS war Governor, was perSirg
his arm and lending strength TO his blows. The
issues Uf 1878 are laid at rest, and now in this
Year OF grace the great question or national
unity and reconciliation, honesty and economy
In administration, and the puridcation Of the
civil service are the pregnant issues or the con-
| test OF 1880. These are the. questions Of the
hour, ana with Tia nCuCk u, the DemUCratrC
leader there can be no more attite nomination
made than that OF Andrew q Curtin for con
|, greSS.
The recollections OF the past IN which Han
cock and Curtin both bore such conspicuous
parts, Will make the success OF one the triumph
of the other. Appeals TO soldiers 10 rally TO the
support of Hancock weUld come with bad
grace from men who had taken part In the
slaughter OF PennsylVanIa's great War GoTer-
nor The hollowness and hYpocrls y of such ap-
peals especially tO Republican solIierS, would
be apparent after striking down the Soldiers
friend" the protector OF the magnificent cIaIi-
tY which rOTided comfortable homes for the
children of the deId heroes of the war. We
commend these reflections to the deliberate
judgement OF the people oftRe 2Oth district md
particularly to the real friends of General Han.
cock throughout the state. UNION.