New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-25
pENNSYLYANLIS PROTEST.

aThe cause for which Garfield died must not
be lost" That was the motto displayed under
a portrait of Garfield which hung above the
platform at the independent Republican Con-
vention in Philadelphia yesterday, and we
hope subsequent events may prove that it was
the true keynote to the conventions work. From
first to last the proceedings seemed marked by a
profound devotion to Republican principles
and purposes. The platform adopted is
soundly Republican, and gives utterance to
Republican principles with vigor and clO-
ouence which are only found in platforms
when they voice deep popular emotion. The
ticket put in nomination is made up entirely Of
tried and faithful Republicans, and motion to
put candidate upon it who bad Democratic
leanings was rejected 10y an overwhelming vote
as not being in accord with the purpose of the
independent movement. Surely a convention
which organized protest in this spirit cannot
he called un-Rcpublican, whatever else may be
said of it,
There has been no political convention any,
where for many years which so completely
represented the popular will. Delegates were
| present from all parts of the State, who were
elected by the free will of the people and who
were allowed to execute that will without die
tation from any man or set of men. OF profess
siOnal politicians there was a total lack, but
their places were filed by merchants, farmers,
manufacturers, lawyers, eminent citizens in
every walk of life, who came together not,
as they claimed, to disrupt the Republican
party, but TO assert the party's right to govern
itself. 1t cannot well be denied that such a
gathering is apt to represent Republican
sentiment in Pennsylvania more accurately
than the Harrisburg Convention did, made up
| as that was of delegates not elected by the pe0
pie but appointed by Mr.. CamerOn's county
committees 1t will be hard to show that q
| gathering which makes the cause for which
| Garfield died the standard of its Republican
ism, and denounces all opposition to that cause
as spurious Republicanism, is a public enemy
which the full force and enthusiasm Of the Re-
publican party must be used to defeat
The platform opens with concise and
stirring declaration of Republican faith
and passes naturally to an avowal thai
the nomination and election Of Garfield
were a triumph for all that is best in that
| faith. The second resolution puts i'll plain
and emphatic language the real grievance OF
the masses of Pennsylvania Republicans, an(
in that the President as well as Mr.. Cameron
will find the secret of this remarkable uprising
In the third resolution the evils of the spoils
system and it's fostering bosses are fOrcibly sci
| forth, and in the fourth stands this simple
avowal: awe declare our purpose to take
"up the work which fell when Garfield
fell" Does anybody question the Re-
ppblicanism of that declaration 1t is les;
| than a year since Garfield was shot. Oh.
viousy it Is too soon to presume that the Re-
| publicans Of Pennsylvania have forgotten him
or the principles for which he died. The can
didates arc worthy of the platform and the con-
vcntion. State Senator Stewart, who heads tht
ticket, is cue Of the ablest and most popular
| Republicans in the State, and is well fitted
| by character aud experience for the Office Of
| Governor. OF the other nominees, all OF then
excellent Republicans, Major Mcrrick, fol-
| Secretary OF Internal Affairs, and William Nc
| Michael, for at-Large, are espe-
| cially strong selections. Major Merlick like Mr.
Cameron's candidate for Governor is a one.
legged soldier, whose popularity is exceeded by
| that of no other Republican in the State.
| Looking at the work of the convention from
this distance, we are not prepared To say that the
| course followed is the wisest which could hav,
been adopted in the present party emergency
but we must say that the Independents have
not acted without great provocatlon, and thai
they have kept their protest within Republi-
can methods and within the Republican party
| What effect they will have upon the voters OF
the State cannot yet be estimated. Their
ticket is in every way equal to that of the Cam
eron convention, and in one way mucl
| superior. 1t was nominated by the people ant
not by boss. If it were not for the question
of its regularity there can be little doubt tina
| in the present state of evaporation asains