Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-10-18
SELECT.
STRONG REASONS.
For Earnest Opposition to Gen.
Beaver, Stated by Gar.
fields Friend. L. w.
Phillips.

Phillips.
To the Editor of the Dispatch
With your permission / will b,
pleased to say few things in you
columns in favor of the Independen
movement now agitating the State -
The effect of this movement, as
understand it, is to return to the prin
ciples of the founders of the Republi
can party-principles exemplified in
the lives and sealed by the death of its
last great leaders, Lincoln and Garfield
When the foundation Of the party was
laid in Justice and equal rights, the
Bosses andspoils system were unknown
to it. But now in the State of Penn
sylvania leaders of the party have given
place to Bosses and principles to
Machine methods. The politician oc.
cupies the seat of the statesman, and
the council chamber has become a star
chamber Intrigue is rewarded and
ability punished. The stream of gov
crnment is be poisoned at the fountain,
and the sovereign voters are becoming
corrupt, many looking forward to
primary meetings and election day as a
harvest in which to reap the wages of
sin.
May it not as truly be said now as
it was of the Christian Church, that
there are many false Republicans who
have "arisen in these latter days who
have deceived many, and if it were
possible, some of the very elect" "The
mystery of iniquity is already at work,
and he who now hinders will hinder
until be be taken out of the way" Has
not the time arrived when judgment
should begin in the Republican house
and the Bosses who have polluted it,
even worse than the money-changers
did the Temple of God, should appear
at the bar of an outraged people. Who
made them rulers over you? Have
they humbled themselves that they
should be exalted? Do they ask or
do they demand your suffrages in sup
port of the ticket which they impose
upon you?
THE HARRISBURG TICKET.
This brings me to consider the nom-
nations which were made in Harris
burgh on the 10th of May. How
many people in this Commonwealth
had privilege to express their choice at
primaries or in public convention
Out of 81 counties but few had wrested
this privilege from the Bosses; the
rest were represented by County Com
mittees, who were not chosen for this
purpose.
Before supporting this Stalwart
ticket let every voter ask: Was / con-
suited individually or by my legally
appointed representative in regard to
the choice of this ticket +? 1t is impos-
ed upon me, or is it my own free will
and choice? The convention at Har-
risburg was not Republican in its
makeup or spirit. 1t was dominated
by Boss rule and the small Stalwart
faction of the great party with Machine
methods. 1t was acknowledged to be
Stalwart, and was so called by leading
papers advocating this faction, and
that, too, without blush, when the
very word, as applied to politics, has
become stencil and Kissing since it
was used in triumph by the assassin
over the PROSTATE form of the Nations
greetruler!
l come now to speak of persons
nominated by this Stalwart Conven-
tion. Against General Beaver per.
sonally we have nothing to say. We
are willing to grant all that political
friends have to say in regard to his
ability, character and sacrifice on the
battlefield In this contest it is not
the man we oppose, but the political
principles he represents. Such man
as Beaver will perpetuate the don,ina-
tion of the Bosses and Stalwart faction
much more surely than a man of less
character and ability. If Republicans
are called upon to support him because
he was a. brave soldier, why should
they not have supported Hancock and
many other Democrats from time to
time for the same reason? There is
no one good quality which he may
possess, whether it be his bravery as a
soldier, his ability as public speaker,
his character or attainments as lawyer
that have not been possessed by Dem
ocrats for whom Republicans have re-
fused to vote times without number.
Why then should or should we not
vote for Beaver? This question must
be determined by his political standing
and affiliations. He asks the suffrages
of political party, and is supposed to
embody certain political principles
How are we to judge of these prin-
ciples? By platform which was
laughed to scorn when its planks were
put under his feet, and has been openly
and shamelessly violated since with his
knowledge? Nol But by his past
record and acts. | wish it to be borne
in mind just here that General Beaver
said in his speech of acceptance, II
have made no pledge to living man
as to what my future course shall be. :"
Let US for moment analyze this
sentence, which has been repeated to
his praise. Any confederation of men
may select one of their number as q
leader when his past record is pledge
of his future loyalty. Why have q
right to ask, nay, even demand "a
pledge of what his future course shall
be 2" Certainly not the Stalwarts or
the 800. His past record is a sufficient
pledge to them. Who, then, should
ask pledge in regard to his future
course z"
NO STEP RETRACED.
These only who do not want the
history of the lasttwo years repeated.
Has General Beaver retraced step,
retraced a word or confessed political
fault? If not, it is those who do not
believe in his political words and deeds
who want assurance that he will sin