The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-09-23
The PennsyIyanIa Outlook.

In 1857 the people of Pennsylvania
elected William F. Packer. Democrat,
to the Office of Governor. In 1882 a
party which has not had control of the
State Administration since the year first
named will probably return to power
and elect Robert e. Pattison to the
highest executive-office of the Common
wealth. A quarter of a century under
Republican rule has effected the result
which might have been expected. AT
the outset it was believed that the Re-
publican party was based upon eternal
justice. Its leaders while not at all SUI
perior to the Democratic chieftains in
ability or honesty, were thought to have
more liberal views on current issues;
were regarded as fit men to guide loyal
people in great crisis, and they were
accordingly placed at the front. The
emergencies of that day are not those of
the present 1.-THE glory has departed
from Israeli" and the once united and
everywhere victorious party which, from
the Northern standpoint, upheld the dig
nifty of the Republic, is fastening to its
fall.
1t has now become nothing more thar
machine; it has divided into numerous
factions, each of which is impelled by
base and selfish motives; its campaigns
have become, not the assertion of prin-
ciple, but mere struggles for the spoils
of Office. Henceforth the people of the
Keystone State will have no sympathy
with it. Republicanism. as a partisan
watchword, is dead in Pennsylvania.
1t is grand yindication Of the raison
Gctre of the Democratic party, that ii
has SO long maintained its organization
and held the masses within its ranks.
while unable to reward its adherents
with Office. The course of political
party, once it is dethroned from power,
is generally downward one. Fewmen
have the courage to yearly stand up that |
they may be knocked down. Only those
who are animated by an overmastering
desire for the public good. are capable
OF sacrificing social standing. personal |
friendships and business interests.
Contrast the standing of the Demo-
cratic party in the North with that OF
the Republican party in the South. The |
latter, placed in'control by the National |
Administration. had every imaginable |
to propagate its theories |
and to change former enemies into |
earnest partisans. Reinforced and sup
ported, as it was, by the men who con-
trolled the Government it might, by |
very few concessions and kindnesses, |
have intrenched itself firmly in the con-
troll of the Southern States. But what
was its coursep just as in the North, |
its Administrations were SO corrupt,
their Irregularities so shameless. that all |
good men took part in the revolt against
It. To day there is no Republican. par
" south of Virginia; it exists in the
North chiefly by sufferance. The peo-
pie Of Maine have set it aside; Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio will doubtless do the |
same. With such candidates elsewhere
IS have been presented in these three |
States, with the earnest, enthusiastic |
work which it is capable Of doing, the
Democratic party may sweep State after /
State and early in the future again Sc
,ure control Of the National Govern
nent.
The Democratic party accepts defeat
without Encouragement, for it knows
hat sooner or later right viii win