The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-07-26
PEACE DENIED


dependents. The propositions em-
body a full and free concession of all
the principles and methods ever asked
by the Independent organs and by
citizens who gave expression to their
views. They were honestly drawn
and presented with the sole view to
meet every complaint, and TO yield
every honest point of difference for
the sake of party unity.
1t had been alleged by the lnde-
pendents that the people had not in
all instances been fully consulted IN
the election OF delegates 20 the Har-
risburg Convention that some sec
tons elected by county committees,
and that results might have been
different if all had been chosen by
the popular or conventional plan.
Statements made upon this grain OF
truth were largely exaggerated, the
truth being that 100 OF the 25l dele
gates were chosen by direct repre-
sentative or popular methods, while
those remaining were selected thro
the methods favored by the people
in their respective counties. stu,
the four proposals met this com
piaint as though ii were fully true,
and the alternative was given Of
direct appeal to the people or
through a new convention. All that
was asked in this regard, when
Welded, was refused.
Intemperate statements were ike
wise made that the Republican tick
ct was not the untrammeled choice
of the people-that it did not repre-
sent the majority view, and that if
it did. with the machinery in the
hands of the independents, the ma
ioritv might be changed. The pro-
posals offer either the popular vote
or new convention test to meet the
complaint, and to transfer all the
machinery incident either to prma-
RES or to conventions TO the lnde-
pendents-to three gentlemen hold
ing their views as 10 details, to ar
range all details. These methods
were refused.
All the propositions likewise ap
piled to complaints against BOSS
Rule and if accepted, would GER
tainlv destroy any trace Of that
form of despotism-ior everything
was to be remanded again 10 the
people, and their choice of candl-
dates was to be unlimited. Their
refusal shows no earnest desire 10
overthrow Boss Rule, " il any such
thing exists; and shows likewise
that the leaders of the Independents
have no faith in their own accusa-
tons. In fact, their attitude OF re-
fusal to remove alleged abuses shows
canclusively either that they 90 not
believe there are any such abuses,
or that they do not desire TO make
an honest effort for their removal.
And vet more. Their organs and
leaders contended with fair show
Of truth and force, that the Mitchell
proposition. to base delegate repre-
sentation upon the Republican vote
of the several cities and counties,
was defeated at the Harrisburg Con-
vention by the minority counties,
and that this action constituted an
objection upon principles. We be-
heve the principle to be a good one,
though in some instances It's apph-
cation is harsh. The representation
of minority counties is about all the
Republicans of these counties can
enjoy. Being in a minority, there
is no way to promote qualification
or ambition in township or county
Offices and barring IN occasional
State or Federal selection, the door
to honors or emoluments is closed
to those who by their situation have
to be Republicans from principle.
And yet the proposition included
principle, the sudden adoption
IS lhelwhich must have been attended
ma extreme dangers, and this risk
ted fully the earnestness OF the
giealar State Committee, and lt'
oLine to carry out the idea that al
oil tlrable means should be employ
" ITO promote harmony in th'
fly.
THE Independent candidates anC
dsf the Chairman Of their State Com
mlltee did moi dare to reject pnqual
iiedly propositions so generous ant
lust, but in their search for a way t
qualify their denial OF reace, the.
nit upon three exBedients. Tn
first was ! proposal on the part Q
iour of the FIVE candidates to accep
the new convention proposal il tn
candidates Of the Republican party
together with themselves, woult
publicly pledge not to be candidate
before the new body. Knowing o
fearing, and in this sense confesslng
that before the people none OF then
had a.chance for a nomination, the.
would drag down those who had
Not having the virtue Of popularity
they were willing 10 pose IN Tn
selfsacri6c.ng attitude OF martyr
dom. If in dong 80 they could pul
down all who stood in their way.
This Is q free land of ours, and al
intelligent one. Ii IS too free eve
TO permit the denial of the right Of
man constitUGonaliy eligible TO be
candidate for Office 1t Is too intel
ligent and Just to permit hopeies
men TO cEecK the hopes and dspira
tons OF others by arbitrary ana fac
tious dictation. IL is too just 10 sa.
that men snail be d5sfrG2chised be
cause of honorable distinction wor
when the law aud constitution ca
only disiranch;se !0r crime, waereg
the accused shall have been convici
ed.
When these iuur candidates mad
this mock counter proposal. the.
did that which was dishoEorabie I
themselves, and sought 10 cast di:
honor upon the people, and by an
through the most arbitrary assertio
of boss power, attempted TO dictai
Just whom the people sd ii not vot
for. 1t would have been only j
degree less plain and less insultin
If they had dictate whom the peopl
mus vote for.
The fifth candidate, through
simulated or real difference OF 6plI