The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-12-22
The Coming state Canvass.
[Philadelphia Press.

have spoken concerning the next State
Convention and ticket. 1t is time for
the Republicans who breathe and
speak the popular inspirations to
make themselves felt Oh the same sub
ject. Any plan of the next campaign
which leaves them out of the calcula-
ton will he dance with political
death. Not that they have any per-
sonal ends to serve; not that they have
any special candidate to support or to
oppose; but because they represent a
deep, pervading popular sentiment
which revolts against arbitrary per-
sonal dictation, and which seeks to
make the party standard shine with
the highest and best Republicanism.
And this widespread feeling cannot
safely be ignored or defed.
The Independent Republicans plant
themselves upon the broad, impreg-
nable platform of Popular Rule and
Free Representation. They wage no
war against individuals, but they do
wage resolute and unfiinching war
against corrupt, demoralizing, de
basing system. The abuses against
which they array themselvesarc open,
notorious and flagrant. An autocratic
personal rule; an audacious defiance
of plain public scntiment; the pre-
scription Of independent, self-rcspcct-
ing manhood; the confinement OF po-
litical promotion to n narrow circle OF
plant dependents; fictitious primaries
and packed delegations; dummy con-
ventious and subservient candidates;
the nomination of a low grade of pub
lie representatives and officials-are
not these evils palpable and undeni-
able? And how much longer can the
party endure the strain of this repeated
wrong upon the intelligence and vir.
tue of its patriotic masses?
The Independent Republicans are
impelled, not by any personal aims,
but by profound conviction that the
result they seek is vital to the perpet
uity of the party. They know that
upon the mere call of self-constituted
candidate, forty thousand Republicans
voted for him at the last election as @
protest against the offensive abuses Of
party management. They know that
but for the attitude of the recognized
Independent representatives through
out the State, a hundred thousand Re
publicans would have been ready to
strike the same blow. The party
managers recklessly trampIed on pub
lie sentiment, and the Independent,
Republicans rescued the party from
disaster. They seek now to save il
from a repetition of the same peril
They aim to liberalize its ruling
councils. to broaden its organization
so as to take in all Republicans; tc
elevate the character of its nomina
tions and, to make its organized action
faithfully reflect the public will.
The cause which they represent IL
steadily and surely marching on. The
day is fast going by in Pennsylvania
when nobody but ciphers bearing the
badge of the bosses can secure public
! honors. Nine months ago Wayne
MacVeagh, the incarnation of indie
pendence, was called to the Cabine
after the broadest of Republican
triumphs. To-day even Stalwar
Administrator takes Benjamin Har
ris Brewster, who wears no mans col
lar, as its Pennsylvania representative
and the party managers find it expe
dent to acquiesce. The sentiment
which the Independent Republicans
represent is power in the State. 1,
refused to accept the decree of the
bosses for Senator last winter, and in.
sisted upon its own rightful share in
the choice. 1t Is turning and over.
turning in Philadelphia. 1t is NOV
ing the waters in PittsbuIg and other
parts of the Commonwealth, and
however the managers may resist, il
will make itself felt in the coming
| contests.
The movement will vindicate itsel
if it succeeds in compelling a better
class OF nominations, as there is
already evidence that it will do. But
it aims at something more than fore
ing party managers to bow to this de.
mand-it seeks to secure this result as
the free action and triumph of the
people themselves The heart of the
party is sound; the patriotic masses
are true to the best ideals; the Inde
pendent Republicans will organize
them into action; and the managers
will be very much mistaken if they
fancy that this element will not be {
force in the next Convention and can
vass.
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