The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-12-29
REPUBLICAN REFORM.


THE PRIMARIES
The Committee of the Independent
Republicans of the State have issued
the following address:
To the Republicans of Pennsylvania:
We address you in the interest of
that political organization, to which
we are alike attached, and whose con
tinued supremancy in both State and
Nation we alike desire.
We share with you a just pride in
our party's past achievements, and
believe with you that, signal and hon
orable as these have been its mission
is not yet complete. The present has
political issues of magnitude and i'm
portance, and the nearest future will
unfold others which must challenge
equal, if not greater, attention and
| statemanship. Through more than
twenty years of the greatest epoch in
our annals the onward march of the
country has been the history of the
Republican party, and by its unvary-
ing devotion TO human liberty and
equal rights, by it's character and its
inspirations, this party is best quail
fled to settle and adjust these questions
as they arise, and to give to the coun-
try continued safe repose. So you be-
| leve, and SO do we.
No one can be Indifferent to such
considerations as these, and it is, there
fore, with deep concern for the future
usefulness of our party that we assume
to address you at this time. What we
have more directly and Immediately
in view is to keep, if possible, our own
State fixed and stcadfast in her party
allegiance. The Importance of Penn
| sylvania as Il factor in national politics
is manifest. In the present condition
of things Republican ascendancy in
! the general Government can only be
maintained by her continued support,
and the question which presents itself
! to your consideration is-how can this
| be secured?
That great majority of the voters
of Pennsylvania are throughly and
earnestly Republican in their views
and sympathes we do not doubt. The
political record of twenty years attests
their approval and acceptance of the
doctrine and principles of the party.
But while this is true, it is equally
manifest that their party allegiance
has been weakened, end that discon-
tent and dissatisfaction prevail.
We need no other evidence of this
than the fact that at the last general
election over 10000 Republicans re.
fused their support to the party's can.
didate, and gave It to another, while
still asserting their devotion to Re.
publican principles and their earnest
desire for the party's ascendancy. EX-
perience shows that men are not cas-
lily shaken in their party allegiance
and when dissatisfaction finds expires.
sion in such emphatic tone it may
safely be assumed that evils exist in
the party that need to be corrected
This protest was not against the pol
icy or creed of the party but against
repugnant methods of party manage
ment. 1t was an earnest demand
pregnant with warning, that the Re
publican party should henceforth bt
true to itself; that its convictions anC
preferences should find free and hon
est expression, and that its representa-
tive conventions should reflect anC
record the will of the party rathel
than the DEGREES of a political junta.
The truth is not to be disguised, nor
indeed, can it be. Repeated instances
of our State Conventions violently
disregarding the popular preference il
candidates, and assuming power
which did not rightfully belong t.
them, at the dictation of a few, ar
fresh in your recollection. This sub
serviency, it is true, was followed b!
your just Indignation; but only to b.
repeated by succeeding conventions
The result is before you in the las
election. Whether the existing griev
: ances and abuses justified such action
or whether such action was the bes
method to correct them, it is no par
of our purpose to inquire. 1t was tn
!, protest of the men who made it, anI
, they alone are responsible for ii
Others, equally sincere in their con
demnation, preferred other remedies
1t is not our business to approve o
censuTe. All we desire and seek +
accomplish is restored harmony,
united party and better methods
These can be secured in no other wa,
than by the removal of all just caus
of complaint. The party needs, and
if it is to succeed in the future; mus
, have sue and speedy deliveranc
: from the tyranny of fpersonal dictation
: the policy prescription and punish
} ment for those who dare to oppose tn
, rule of an oligarchy must be aband
oned; the popular will must be col
: suited and respected, and the power {
! the party be used for higher purpose
7 than the bestowal of Office upon III
worthy favorites and dependents.
e That so much can be accomplishe
5 by proper effort, without resorting t
: revolutionary methods, we do nc
9 dOubt Political control becOmes Ger