The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-10-17
A Voice from jackson.
DERRs, Oct. I, 1884.

MEssRS EDITORS:
"Whom the Gods wish to destroy
they first make mad,' was spoken
many years ago, and from recent de-
velopments in the political situation,
both local and national, think the
same line of policy is being pursued at
the present time.
Let us take retrospective glance at
the ways and means employed by the
seekers after office in the staid old
county of Columbia, where they are
openly charged, truthfully or not, with
directly and indirectly violating the
election laws of the State, inasmuch as
they furnished money and other arti-
cles of less value for the purpose of in
fuencing those who are up for sale to
the highest bidder those who like
Esau of old, would sell their birth
right, their liberty as American citi-
zens, for mess Of political pottage,
whose only known political wisdom
when asked for their support can be
summed up in these few words. how
much will you give !
Had they confined themselves to
this class alone no one would have had
any reason to complain, for that which
is already corrupt cannot be made any
worse but such was not the case, be-
ing corrupt themselves they approach.
the honest voter and with honeyed
words and specious promises they dup
ed others who are honest in their con-
victions when once formed, and who,
under their leadership are very bitter
in their denunciation of those who re-
ceived the nominations at the county
convention insomuch that some OF
them prefer to support the candidate
of the Republican party or in other
words, they in their blind zeal for par
ty favorites would sacrifice the Demo
cratic majority in order to satisfy their
own petty spite. Because majority
of the people pleased to think differ
emily everything is wrong. Now why is
this is there no cause for all this dis
content ? Let us stop and think for a
moment, for where there is an effect,
there must of necessity be cause, and
after the most mature reflection and
consideration of the subject in all its
bearings both politically and individ-
ually can only recognize one cause
that could possibly produce the effect,
now dividing the Democratic party in
this county, and that cause is the per-
nicious and debasing practice OF can
didates travelling through the county
soliciting and begging for the votes of
honest men while at the same time
they are busily buying those OF
the dishonest, and in all known ways
both lawful and unlawful they endeav'
or to secure for themselves the object
of their desires. After giving tie peo-
pie the most solemn pledges, they de-
lberately break them if everything
don't go just as they in their great wis
dom deem the proper channels. Now,
Mr.. Editors, is there no way to pre-
vent the recurrence of this cause. l
think there is and will briefly state
how l think its recurrence may, and
can be prevented in the future. In
the first place, let the people ignore
the claims of all travelling candidates,
who go among them simply to debase
the character of better men than them
selves, let those who are willing to
serve in the public places announce
their names through the press, then let
the people at their primaries select
those whom they deem the best fitted
to serve their interests and the dis
graceful wrangle we beheld at the Del
egate meeting and afterwards will not
be repeated in the future.
In conclusion l appeal TO all true
Democrats to drop all considerations OF
personal favoritism and support the
whole ticket as nominated by the
county convention which in its person,
ell represented the Democratic party OF
Columbia county, and ! appeal to al
{ true men, men who have the good oi
, their country, and the welfare OF theil
felowman at heart, men who can rise
above political and party fealty,men who
} wish to see this corrupt and rotten fab
r rc, now by courtesy called the Gov
ernment of the United States removed
/ and government for the people, ant
by the people established in its stead
[ to cast their votes for the electors o.
, the Democratic party, thereby securing
the election of an honest and conscien
T. tious man, Stephen Grover Cleveland
as president of the United States, ant
all the people thereof.
4 PRINcirIA NoN HoMINEs.