The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-07-19
Principles vs.. Leaders.

we seriously question the proptlety /
Of placing too much stress upon the
outcome of The present struggle as
respects the continuance Of this or that
man in the position of leaders of the
Republican party. Every year brings
its own peculiar issue and there will
be, as there always has been, some one
perfectly adapted to marshal the force
necessary TO accomplish the purpose
desired. There is moral power or
undercurrent that is sure to effect the
well-being of communities and States.
A quiet revolution may be in progress,
whose influence can not be perceptible
on the surface, and yet will surely
produce its effect A cloud.banked
sky may hide the process, but the sun
with equal regularity, reaches the hori.
zon at sunrise and sunset. This is not
the first period in the history Of polit.
ical factions, when serious complaints
have arisen respecting the methods by
which the leaders have reached certain
results, and yet there has no great
calamity ensued. Step back ten years,
and stand at the threshold of the cam.
paign of 1872, as we are now standing
upon that of 1882, and what will you
discover? Senator Cameron had not
commenced his political life, but there
was not wanting sufficient pretended
cause for tumult and revolt. Meetings
were called aud the opposition was
established after several caucuses
were held, a new convention was de-
manded, but at this time by the par
ties opposed. Sufficient concessions
have and are being offered to indicate
the readiness of the friends Of the Har-
risnurg ticket to take any honorable
course that may or can be suggested,
but when humiliation appears to be
the only purpose sought-when it
becomes apparent that we are asked
to make offers only to be repudiated,
then the time has come for US to say,
gentlemen, our appeal to your lead
ers have failed we now carry it to
the people-a jury sure to give a just
verdict. 1t may be hazardous, but
we dare assert the conviction, that, if
peace offerings fail, the same COM
manding dignity that characterized
the course in '72, will best conserve
the welfare of the party to-day.
We suggest this course simply be-
cause we have record outside of lead
ers upon which we can rest our case.
Principles, like truth are eternal, and
it matters not how you clothe them,
or by whom supported, We are assured
that certain degree of antagonism
must, by virtue of their inherent
nature, be the result, and by this test
we are to prove our friends and foes
for it is incontestible that just to the
extent of a constituents departure
from them will his opposition be man.
, ifest. The real issue of the day is not
whether Cameron or some other loftieI
intellect shall staDd forth to give the
signal for action, but shall these prin-
. ciples-for which men shed theiI
J. blood and gave their lives which
' have been our watchword these twenty
years past, and have been supported
by the martyrs, Lincoln and Garfield
| shall they be maintained ? i
e scarcely seems possible that these
u principles associated with such hal
: lowed memories, could call forth {
n doubt as to their perpetuity, but what
Il other conclusion can we reach, whe1
= those who have been for many years
u their most strenuous advocates
II through spirit OF pique, are willing
o to trail the banner on which they art
r. emblazoned in the dust and under tn,
,e feet Of our enemies. The good the,
IF seek to accomplish can only be know
y to themselves.
l. The chief stock in trade of the In