Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-02-17
Stand by William A. Wallace.

| Democratic members OF the legislature
cast their votes for one or the other of
the Republican candidates for United
States Senator and thus end an ugly
contest that now divides the Republi-
can party What any Democrat ex-
poets to gain by such move is more
than we can comprehend. Alliances
of this kind have heretofore been
made in other States, as well as in this,
and have never yet resulted in good
to the Democratic party; but without
exception have always brought disas-
ter and disgrace.
In 1875 the Democrats of Michi.
gan and Wisconsin joined with a fac
ton of the Republicans and elected
Isaac 7. Christiancy from the one
State and Angus Cameron from the
other with the hope that these men
NOulu III le'ist oCtaSioualIS IiS' 'ooNC
party in the discharge of their Sena-
torial duties. The sequel is that these
men have been the most bigoted and
narrow-minded radical Republicans
in the Senate. But Democrats by
these unholy alliances have done very
much worse even than this. In 1881
they joined hands with n few disap-
pointed Wings and Free Soilers and
elected Charles Sumner a senator from
the State of Massachusetts to succeed
the great expounder and defender of
the Constitution.
A vigorous and accomplished writ
er of a later day truthfully said of
this man that he was one who was
VIGOROUSLY an abolitionist in short
"au ideologist and ultraist, who how.
lever restrained by policy, at that
time, from the full expressions Of
his extreme opinions, yet constantly
avowed doctrines which, subjected to
"any logical analysis, were inimical to
the Constitution, and tended clearly
"to the destruction of the Union"
OF his election the same writer charg-
es that the Democrats were guilty
not only of the betrayal of party fl
"delity, but all the duties of patriotic
"ctizens. 1t is certain that most dis
astrous consequences eventually flow
"ed from this deplorable act Imme.
diately, it proved of little public con.
sequence, except in the injury inhic-
"ted by the Massachusetts, Democrat.
upon their own party standing and
"interests, and in the evil example
which it set for similar treacherous
coalitions in other states. 1t turned
cover the State Of Massachusetts, which
chad always before been conservative
"to the radicals"
In 1877, if it was possible, the Dem
ocrats did worse by a coalition with n
few disgruntled Republicans in Illi-
nois in electing David Davis to the
United States Senate, just before the
organization of the internal s TOT COM
mission. After his election Davis, be-
ing an honest man, believed it would
give a political color to the commits
sion if he became q member. In view
of this he declined to serve upon it,
and the infamous Joe Bradley was
chosen 10 his stead. The result we oil
know. Tilden was counted out. Frand
and iniquity became triumphant for
the first time in American politics.
The people we're robbed of their law
fully chosen rulers, and crime and the
perpetrators of crime we're rewarded
by being put in high places of honor
and profit. Had the Democrats oi
Illinois refused to join hands with the
disgruntled Republicans, Davis would
have remained on the bench, and he
would have been one of the FIVE judges
on that commission. His love of jus
tice and right would have given the
Louisiana and Florida electors to Sam.
uel J. Tilden. The people would have
been honored in having their lawfully
chosen President administer this greaI
government for the last four years and
the nation saved from the awful blotci
that must forever darken her other
| ..taa fate s.an..tahaxu