The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-09-08

his authorship. In 1879 he represented
York county in the State convention
and in 1880 he was one of the dele
gates from that Congressional district
TO the Cincinnati convention, voting
on the first ballot for Judge Field and
on the second for General Hancock.
Prior to the late State convention, from
the time his nomination for Leutcn
ant Governor was first broached, the
suggestion was received with popular
favor, and he was chosen by large
majority on the first ballot. The se-
lection was ratified most heartily not
only by the Democratic press of
Pennsylvania but by many journals of
large influence outside the State.
HIS POLITICAL PRINCIPLES.
From his youth up Mr. Black has
been supporter of those Democratic
principles which he comes to by inher-
itance aud holds by intelligent convic-
ton. With ready pen and eloquent
tongue he has steadily maintained them
for over twenty years. In all his ut
terauces and writings they never found
abler nor more fitting expression than in
hisrecent successful effort to revive the
Jeffersonian societies and extend the
study of Jeffersonian principles. To
this patriotic task he has applied him
self not because of any retrospective
tendency of his mind, nor by reason of
any failure to profoundly appreciate
the spirit of true progressiveness and
to adapt himself and his political prin
ciples to the wonderful development of
our national life. He holds that in the
Jeffersonian philosophy are the germs
of all political progress.
In the system originated and declar
ed by those illustrious men who settled
our free institutions and founded the
Democratic party to preserve them, he
discovers certain fundamental princi-
Piles by which all later day issues may
be fairly tested, and departure from
which can only be safely ventured up
on when it has been determined to
subvert the principles of the fathers.
THE JEFFERsoNIAN SOCIETIES.
1t WI be remembered that in secur.
ing their rights from British tyranny
and afterward in preserving them from
insidlous enemies at home, Jefferson
and his compatriots of the revolution
always trusted in the power of popular
association, in committees of vigilance
and liberty clubs. The evils which
they were organized to uproot and the
dangers which they averted are thus
graphically pointed out in an address
of the Jeffersonian Society of York,
Pa, of which Mr.. Black is President :
GLOW did the Republicans of that
day face and avert the first grand con
spiracy to destroy the republic By
the establishment, wherever possible,
of what were called Democratic So
cieti,s, in which the people met, dis
cussed the designs of their enemies,c con-
trived the means of defeating them.
encouraged each other in the good fight
for liberty, aud directed and concentra-
ted public opinion so as to make it
most effectual. These societies were
mighty engines in the politics of that
gloomy period, Their influence was
wide spread and irresistible. They
spoke the voice of the people and made
il respected. The result was the com
plete overthrow of the + ederal party
the sullen abandonment of the dark
schemes of the 'monocrats;' the election
of jefferson and the putting of the
ship of state on her Republican track
again. They saved the constitution,
to use The expression of Jefferson-
at the last gasp.
APPLICATION TO MODERN POLITICS.
And, applying the same remedy to
existing conditions, this address, writ
ten by Mr., Black proceeds :
"Will not the same means be equally
nowl There can be no doubt
of it. Imagine jefferson Democratic
Associations established at convenient
points in every district, wherein intelli
gent Democrats might meet to discuss
the affairs of the country, to express to
each other the dangerous character of
the measures with which we are threat
ened, and to notify by resolution, by
address, or by deputies, to their fellow
Democrats and to the public, their
opinions and their will What power
of perverted government, of patronage,
of monopoly, of corruption, however
combined or mannuvered by greed
and ambition, could withstand the
thunders of the popular clubs !"
Again 1T is beyond measure i'm
portant that the Democratic party, be-
ing the party of the people, should be
managed for the people, and not by
professional politicians and bosses, as
the so-caled Republican party is man,
aged, These associations would afford
ready, convenient, and regular meth,
cd of expressing the peoples wishes
with regard to party concerns, local.
state and national but without dis
placing any part of the usual and nee
essary machinery.
Upon one thing at least we are al
agreed, and that is that the teaching.
of Thomas Jefferson are the only tru,
and infallible touch stone of faith. Lei
us then, by associating together, undel
his name, and pledging anew our allie
glance to the sacred prn ciples whicl
he formulated, erect co mmon stan
dard of doctrine and thus insure tn,
complete harmony and earl y success o
the democratic party,
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