Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-09-20
] C0tlfaster 1iltelliaentrs
: aAxoAsrER. sEPrEMBER %, lsss.
Blsck's Aggressive Leadership.

xhe letter Of Lieut.. Gov. Black, formal
NJ aocspting the Democratic nomination
- governor and stating his views of the
nnee involved in the campaign, is a ring
~, fearless and explicit document. 1t
Nnl fully satisfy the most advanced de-
ind for aggressive leadership in the pend
ug contest and no just conservative in
eorost has any right to be offended with its
tone.
Il fltly declares that the nominee of the
porty for the executive office of the COM
RGnonwealth should be concerned about
questions relating to the state government
md none other, in his candidacy. General
Boaver and Chairman Cooper may howl
oriff, and they may import Blaine and
Logan to do the same most vociferously !;
the people have not forgotten that Mayor
Smith, of Philadelphia, was elected on that
i0uo. The result of that experiment hard
" justifies another. What Pennsylvanians
are concerned about in this struggle is
questions Of state policy. Upon them its
decision rests.
With respect to these Mr.. Black is plain,
Straightforward and clear; and yet every
line Of his declaration is in strict accord
with his previous record and utteranees; :;
and be is, no doubt, right in his inference
shat he is the nominee of his party chiefly
because there was no doubt where he stood
On the great questions of land and labor
and Of constitutional rights and duties
( which concern the state and all of its peo-
pie.
While he declares anew with vigor for
the enforcement of the constitution by that
appropriate legislation which has been
denied the people by faithless representa-
ttves he proposes to interpose the shield of
the constitution before all the subjects OF
the law, and he proclaims that " behind ii
there Is no place for extortion on the one
hand or for confiscation on the other" 1t
the corporations of the state or any other
influence take issue with this statesman
like statement of the question let them
boldly avow; and the people of the state
will settle the question once and for all.
Upon the labor question the letter is
trenchant and comprehensive; it points
out specific ills and suggests specific cures
Who will gainsay this part of the candi-
dates deliverance He throws down the
glove let him who dares pick it up.
Mr.. Black agrees with his party, and is
IN accord with its platform in declaring
against prohibition and for regulation of
the liquor traffic. He recognizes " the ter
rfble evils Of excessive indulgence" but
would not attempt to eradicate them by
( species Of legislation which has never
fhiled to increase them, hut which inevita-
bly, brings on thedesperate resistance of the
citizen who feels himself deprived of nat
ural right, and with it train of illicit
crimes and ruinous disorders" In this he
viii find himself entirely in accord with
The great body Of conservative people of
The state; and if the Republican candidate
hopes to profit from these declarations of
his competitor he cannot do it by the
evasions he has resorted to heretofore on
this question.
II Is the chief subject for congratulation
that the candidate has opinions and the
courage to avow them. His declaration is q
novelty in Pennsylvania politics. 1t marks
the strong man. 1t lifts the canvass to the
level Of his leadership, and where he goes
no Democrat need fear TO follow.