New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-18
Their action upon it will be watched. with in
TIE PENNSYLVANIA CONTEST

All accounts agree that the Independent
ratification meeting, in Philadelphia on Satur-
day evening, was an imposing success. Inc
long list of ce-presidents contained many
names eminent in the community and honored
in the Republican party The presiding oiicer
was wealthy manufacturer whose presence
in that place was n sufficient answer 10 inc
venerable Simon Cameron's stll-born tarli
scare" The audience was limited only by
the capacity of the hall, and its enthusiasm
was unboundcd. Surely n meeting ike this
cannot be said truthfully to indicate ialllhg-
off in popular sympathy with the Independent
movement. 1t may be said that party ties rest
lightly upon Philadelphia Republicans Oh ac-
count of their frequent utilization WIN hoh-
partisan movements for the better government
of their municipal affairs, and that, therefore,
the meeting does not Indicate that the lhoe-
pendents have corresponding popularity III
other parts of the State Granting this, 1t must
he admitted that there was no such meeting III
Philadelphia last year. and that whatever
else it indicates, it does not sustain the.Cam-
eron claim that the Independent strength IS
less than it was last year. We suppose that
even the sangune Mr.. Cooper will admit that
the machine cannot win without securing
a large majority IN Philadelphia. Saturday
evenings meeting is sufficient to show that
a large majority there cannot be calculated
upon with any certainty.
The speeches of the two leading Indcpend-
ents were in every way worthy of the meeting,
and were received with heartinoss OF APP
prevail which showed that the listeners were
in thorough accord witlrthe speakers. Inc
audience displayed nothing like hesitation or
timidity in purpose. This is the peculiarly OF
the Pennsylvania Independent moVement
which most impresses the outside observer
The hand has been put to the plough, and no
disposition is manifested to look back. In cal
cuating the result in November, this spirit
should be taken into account The hope OF the
Cameron managers lies in their ability to scare
the Independents into support CT the machine
by holding before them the dangers of DEM
ocratic victory. So long as this fearless and
determined spirit we have mentioned is main
tanned, the Cameron hope cannot be realized.
Senator Stewart alluded to this point very
effectively on Saturday evening. lie admitted
frankly that any reasonable apprehension OF a
Democratic victory was sufficient to make men
pause and reflect, and then added
know that IN addition to the evils which you might
reasonably expect from Democratic success You are
threatened by an infuriatcd boss with his individual
treachery you suffer It, and that his venerable
sire energies from MS retirement md
g Like prophet suddenly enrapt
and that your tariff is endangered Who are
these men who thus insult your courage and
your Intelligence, the by his threats
and the other by his ghostsl Arc they hot
the very men who have brought your party 20 this ex
trcmy and TO avert their own threatened poitcal
destruction seek 70 practise your fcr- What care
they for Republican asceudancy except as props and
snpports their personal and political fortuncsl May
not ask the same question my distinguished opponent
General Beaver and his colleagues Let these men de-
clare who 10 II that endangers Republican success Ihcy
had their power they still have 1t 50 far az am
concerned as Il candidate 10 unite tine party as an
nvinclblo army. II they viii but sink Their per-
sonal ambitions and retire from tho contest
We do not ak 10 be preferred to them. We
ONLY ask that they retire 10 give place 10 men who
honestly and faithfully represent the principles OF our
party and free from the control Of these inperous
bosses. Neither their patriotism nor their Hepnbhean
Ism is equal the sacrifice. Rather than yield their
personal ambitions, they VIII welcome the calamity
which they so loudly dcploro in public places. After
Ms, the delucc," Is tbcir private laueniaton
That is the whole question briefly and accu-
ratcly stated. Senator Stewart the head OF the
independent ticket, offers to withdraw If
General Beaver will Withdraw in favor of Il
new ticket which shall represent the whole
party rather than any boss or faction. That
is the offer the independents have kept open
for months, and which the Cameron managers
consistently refuse to accept. by refusing they
are responsible for the threatened party
defeat. They say by their conduct Elect
"the ticket we have picked out for You or we
will let the party he defeated" That is the
boss policy everywhere: Give me my way or
I'll smash the party" Mr.. COnkng tried it,
and while the party survives we believe 1t Is
generally understood that he does not. Mr..
Cameron has poor prospects OF being more S nc
cessful He cannot hope 20 survive the No
vember election if the Independents continue
to gain strength as they have been gaining re-
Gently. They are evidently going to make a
vigorous and stirring canvass. They dodge
no issues, shrink from no contests with vhelr
opponents and declare their willingness to
explain and defend their principles every
where Tins is in sinking contrast with the con
duet of the Cameron campaign, with General
Beavers timidity of speech and his refusal to
meet Senator Stewart in Joint debate. The
people have liking tor man who is not
afraid to stand up for his cause even if 1t Is
not very good one. AT present General
Beaver seems to he relying for success on his
inexhaustible capacity for handshaking and
his record as n soldier. He may pull through
in that way but he will do well to remember
that there are several manned soldiers on the
Independent ticket and that some OF them are
uncommOnly able speakers.
/ GREAT MOVEMENT RECALLED.