The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-23

Trying to Wreck the Party. ~
Such factional contests as character
ICED the preliminary campaign In this
city for the nomination Of a Republi-
can municipal ticket are not rare
wherever the Republican party is in a
live and hopeful condition. 1t is an ac-
cepted and recognized principle of oui
party that any Republican has a right
to enter the field and seek a share OF
the honors in the gift of his party. But
1t is also one of the recognized prin-
ciples of every political party that when
an aspirant submits himself for prefer
ment to his fellow party men he will
gracefully acquiesce in their verdict
In the event of his success he naturally
EXPECTS the loyal support of his de-
feated competitors. and If he is himself
defeated he is in. honor bound 10 be
equally loyal to the party If any other
policy should prevail.
In the recent contest for municipal
nominees it was assumed that each of
the aspirants for place on the Republi-
his party in all good faith. willing to
submit to the popular decree at the
primary elections; expecting united
support from his party If successful
and ready to give honest support if de-
feated. After all such contests there
are invariably found Il few malcontents
and dsturbers of party harmony, VINO
give full play to their disappointment
and rage. preferring to see their own
party defeated rather than that the
representatives of some other faction
should be recognized as leaders.
1t is. however, a rare spectacle 10 see
n Republican who has for years en-
ioyed. and is even now enjoying. the
highest honors his party can confer
endeavoring by characteristic meth
odS to assist the Democracy in an at
tempt to overthrow the Republican
party and restore itself to full power
That spectacle is witnessed in this city
today and so far from deserving the
sympathy of reputable Republicans. ii
merits their emphatic disapprobation
1t deserves especially to be repudiated
in this presidential year when from
the municipal elections in February
the party will proceed, almost without
an interval to the work of electing a
national and a county ticket.
We have hitherto pointed out the
difficulty which would be experienced
in carrying the November elections II
the February battle. through Republi-
can treachery or disaffection, were to
resul. in Democratic triumph. Such
triumph would not only mean the
massing of the whole influence of the
municipal administration against the
Republicans in their fight for the coun-
ty, the congressional and the electoral
ticket, it would also mean the encOur-
agement of the Democratic factions to
come together permanently and to
wage contests such as those We're In
past years when Lackawanna county
swung in the balance. with victory as
sured on neither side We cannot see
how any thoughtful Republican, what
ever his personal disappointment with
reference to the spring primaries. could
consistently wish for such u solidifica-
tion of the common political enemy
least of all on the eve of an important
presidential election.
Let those go over to the opposition
who have so slight q sense of Obliga-
tion to the party which has honored
them with repeated trusts and emolu-
ments that they are willing to knife
it to crafty purely personal spleen
They are not needed in the Republican
ranks. Their presence there is only a
disturbance. The man who would. II
he could. deliberately wreck his party
because in the exercise of its wisdom
it does not see fit to subject itself to his
selfish dictatiOn can always be spared
from that party without serious injury
to its welfare. But let no true Repub-
lican, no Republican from principle
and conscience, mistake the snarling
of such Judas for the voice Of dlsin-
terested counsel. Whatever the SEM
blance which the would-be party
wrecker assumes-whether masquerade
ing I'm the new-found garb of reform
or wearing the better fitting habili-
ments OF an open traitor--let it be
borne constantly in mind that he Is
only wrecker. to follow whom would
be to end up in chaos.