The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-12-20
Give the People a Chance"

Give the People a Chance"
The Philadelphia Press has put in
a reloinder to the Americaa's edito-
rial criticising its advice to now form
Blaine clubs throughout the coun-
try. Its editor is too able to misrep-
resent, but when tempted by his
personal preferences into an unwise
position, he seeks TO make the best
OF 1t, and to this extent permits fac
ton rather than solid party fealty
to lead him. The Press thinks we
assume too much when we say that
it advised the formation of Blaine
clubs, and says ''the personal flag is
a secondary matter" )" and then con-
tradicts itself by adding But even
suppose the clubs We're simply de-
signed to advise the nomination of
a particular man, what objection
would there be to it? Why not en-
courage political activity on the part
of the people? Why not invite the
freest expression ?"
These queries but beg the main
question, and shows that the editor
Is not sure of the wisdom of his pro-
posal- We unite in the wish to give
the people chance, and to encour-
age political activity on their part,
but this can best be done if done by
clubs at all, through inexpensive and
permanent Republican organizations,
devoted to the preservation and pro-
motion of the principles of the party
and not to the promotion of special
candidates TO any office. 1t doesn't
give the people a chance, to call up
ON portion to organize Blaine clubs
two wears in advance of a nomina-
ton, for that commits the clubs to a
single choice and makes them a fac
ton, rather than one of the harmo-
NOUS parts of great party. 1t is as
bad form of boss rule for clubs TO
dictate candidates, as for individu-
ais; it is even worse, for it requires
a greater effort to resist and over
throw them. Suppose the Commit
tee of One Hundred was to now say
who should be the candidate for
Mayer Kings place, or that the
Union Republican Club. or the
Young Mems Republican Club
should do the same thing, who would
not denounce the policy as unwise
and 6ictatorial Suppose Tammany
were to say who should be the next
Democratic candidate for President?
If the rule of the Bosses" has been
overthrown, is not this but another
way to restore that rule under very
thin covering?
Give the people chance in this
way, say we: Crowd out no candi-
date for the Republican Presidential
or any other nomination, either by
the private or public action of
cliques, clubs or newspapers. Let
all enter who desire, and then bring
party primaries and methods so
close to the people that their choice
will be absolutely free. Select Presi-
dental delegates through district
representation State delegates thro'
constitutional and legislative forms
supported by laws applicable as well
to delegate as general elections
County tickets by the proportionate
representation of each and every
district; give all who are willing to
WELD a general support to the prin-
ciple. of the party a full and free
choice, without regard to how they
may have voted in previous years,
and then, and then only, will you
gre the people chance. Cliques
through secret action do not do it;
clubs committed to personal objects
do not do it; clubs perverted to
factional aims but block the way
newspapers attempting to form pub
lie sentiment are but another him
drance. The newspapers have no
special authority in these things,
though they too often assume it;
and the assumption is often disas-
trous. No party paper should wed
itself to the nomination of any man,
for then persons are kept in view, and
principles are lost sight of. 1t is,
however. harmless to point out spec
ial fitness for special work by men
who devote their energies i'll given
directions, but primary advocacy
should not go far beyond this; it
should never 90 so far as to point to
the nomination of certain person
under either direct or an implied !
threat. That does not give the peo-
pie a chance, and We are far more in |
favor of giving them chance than /
those who want to give their own /
preference the only chance.
The Philadelphia Press is now
great enough in influence and abil-
ity to come up to the standard which /
is so high above faction as to shame
its spirit and its spirit needs to be
shamed out of countenance if the
party is to live. 1t but
whets it to organize Blaine or any
other clubs devoted to any man s adj
by organized action; 1t
but whets it to say that this man
should be conciliated because he has
been an Independent, and the other
man punished because he has been
a Stalwart it but whets itto reverse
this reward and punishment; it but
whets it to recognize and feed Stall
wart and Independent divisions.
The Press is big enough and brave
enough, if it will, to drop these petty
appeals to factious passion. and to
call all who are such Republicans,
any factional qualification
whatever. Ii Republican persons or /
papers have had a battle with any
method or system, or clan or wing, I
1 is in fact and ought now to be ac- .
xnowledged as over. Sensible men,
under the same flag. do |
not rend each other in presence of
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