National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-26
As to Pennsylvania and Reformers

THE REPUBLICAN was not previous
in its calculation of the motive, inspira-
ton, and power for harm of the revolt in
Pennsylvania against the Republican
party of that State and of the whole
Union. Its convention in Philadelphia
was successful in revealing the deviltry of
its conception and the impotence of its
execution. 1t was q shallow contrivance
We all see its miserable failure and read
the names of the personnel of the cheap
and silly performance with contempt,
soitened by compassion. The marplots
of Republican politics for nearly a
decade contrived the convention. Who
were its leaders? "Kickers and
malcontents all" would accurately
summarize the political status of
men, who, while pretending crusade for
reform, yet display hunger for Office
that decent ward politicians would be
ashamed of. They can be safely left to
the tender consideration of the Republi-
can masses of Pennsylvania, who in
nearly quarter of century have never
lost their anchorage. The Republicans
of the country will smile contemptuously
at the base attempt to make of the citadel
of Republicanism in the Middle States
scene of faction warfare, making possible
Dem ocratic restoration in the Union.
The Republican party of the country
will soon know through the fierce light"
of inquiry the real authors Of this wicked
ATTEMPTING less wicked because of its
failure-to betray the Republican party
in one of its strongholds We dismiss
them for the moment, and consider only
the cheap parade of political virtue
made at Philadelphia Oh Wednesday,
the travesty upon the genuine arti-
Gle for which pinchbeck cannot
be long successfully substituted.
Pecksnifis and Joseph Surfaces thrive
for a while in politics, even as weeds
grow in gardens. Patriots" said Wal
pole, "spring up like mushrooms. l
could raise fifty of them within the
twenty -four hours. have raised many
of them in a single night. 1t is but re-
fusing an unreasonable or an insolent
demand, and up starts patriot" We
commend TO the engineers, officers, and
Iullh anu llS vi llC i lHlluuClplllu WI5CO
the moral Of Sir Robert Walpole's state
ment.
Regarding this alleged outbreak of al
legged patriotism in Pennsylvania, it is
we'll TO observe that the leaders, being
"patriots," despise in their public decar-
ations the "bosses" who have denied
them the offices they contemn when
others than themselves are in possession
of those offices. Being reformers, they
are constrained to protest against
any reformation that does not pro-
vide for themselves to degree
commensurate with their own estimate
of their Importance as individuals and as
collection Of gushing optimists. "Where
do l come in," said the legislator, who
was besought to vote for measure prom
Using great advantages to his constituents
"Show me where come in and am qyitI
you," says the reformer in Pennsylvania
or elsewhere,
This country stands now upon the
threshold Of an heroic period Of politics
in which men will stand shoulder tc
shoulder with other men, Such period
offers no chance for political dilettant.
ism, and none for political traders.
Ereunt Pennsylvania Refonners. Theii
day has been brief and inglorious. Here
after they shall typify .fasco in politics.