The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-10-21
TO PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATS.

TO PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATS.
There is most discouraging Gus
tom among Democrats in this State,
of giving up the tight before it has be-
gun. So complete has been the DOM
ination of ballot-box suffers and re-
peaters, and the little army Of corrup-
tlonists who have secured the majori-
ties of Allegheny and Philadelphia in
the past, that defeat In this State has
been accepted as foregone conciu.
sion by thousands of democrats. Even
the most sanguine and energetic of
politicians in the Democratic party
will only say "We hope to reduce
the majority. Of course we cannot
expect to carry the state"
The fact is, that we not only can
expect to carry Pennsylvania into the
Democratic column this year but, If
the Democratic vote Is brought to
the polls, zoe most undoubtedly ,oiW
carry it by a handsome majority.
The Baker ballot law was passed in
order to prevent the frauds which
have in former years enabled Repub-
lican leaders 10 roll up just whatever
majorities they pleased in Philadel-
phia and Allegheny counties. In other
words, Its main purpose was to pre-
vent the coercion and intimidation
and the purchase of voters lin blocks
OF FIVE" or otherwise, and the process
OF "counting out" in making up re-
turns. And Notwithstanding the num-
erous imperfections and difficulties of
the law-as it was passed by Republi-
can votes in the Legislature it still
presents such difficulties in the way of
the practical politician" as to insure
free vote and fair count. That is
the one thing needful for the cause of
good government in Pennsylvania. If
zoe can get the Democratic cote to
the polls, zoe can ,oin.
In every section of the State the
rank and file of the Republican party,
disgusted with the false pretense of
the Mckinley bill and the utter indif-
ference Of the leaders to the necessi.
ties Of the people, is turning by squads
and companies to the Democratic par
ty as their only hope of relief from un.
necessary and burdensome taxation. If
We can get the Democratic vote to the
polls we can win.
The Republican farmers Of the State
have at last awakened to knowledge
of the fact that, while they have borne
all the heavy burdens of Tariff taxa
ton and have grown poorer year by
year as they toiled under the load,
they have been without any protection
at all. They can see that Protection
protects few favored manufacturers
but they have learned that it oppresses
and impoverishes them. If we can
get the Democratic vote to the polls
we can win.
The puddlers, rollers, machinists,
operatives, mechanics, and laborers
engaged in the Protected industries of
the State, have grown tired Of promises
unfulflled and prophesies of dire dis
aster to follow Democratic victory
which have been shown TO be delusions
and snares. And they, with the coal
miners, the ore miners, and the lum-
bermen of Pennsylvania, are openly
declaring for Cleveland and Tariff
Reform. II we can get the Demo-
cratic vote to the polls We can win.
Republican promises Of continued
work and high wages, made four years
ago, from every Republican stump in
the State have been followed by the
awful fight at Homestead, the spec
tacle OF armed soldiers OF the State
supporting Plnkerton detectives, and
strikes and lockouts in every field of |
protected industry. If we can get the |
Democratic vote TO the polls we can
win.
There is disunion and confusion in |
the ranks OF the enemy. There is a
terrible scare among the leaders, an
absurd cry of Fraud and an urgent
appeal to all Federal Office holders in
every district to get sat least one Dem
ocrat" to vote their ticket to offset
this terrible deserticn from their ranks.