The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-06-15
Wanamaker Alliss Of pemocracY

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The followers of John Wanamaker in
Chester county have at last thrown Off
the mask and have gone over to the Dem
ocratic party. In this country there is
nothing to prevent men from changing
then political views as often as they
please, but il must in fairness be open
and above board. 1t is not manly for a
man to pretend to belong TO one party
when he really belongs to another. We
have long suspected that there was an
element in the Republican party of this
State which placed personal considera-
tions above party policy and party sue
cess. 1t has been apparent during the
campaign that preceded the Republican
State Convention that there was a rule or
ruin element which would not be satis-
fed with the nominations unless dictated
by themselves. There has been a great
deal of talk about ''independence' aud
reform" and the like 10 mask personal
ambitions Now that the convention has
spoken, this element has shown its true
cOlors. Because Colonel Stone made a
speech in Chester county in which he
made no reference 10 local affairs. the fol-
lowers Of John Wanamaker withdrew
from the Chester county convention, al
leging fraud and coercion. This is the
most absurd charge ever made i'm politics.
The Chester county primaries are the
fairest held in this State. Every voter
not only votes for delegate TO the county
convention, but on the same ballot in
structs him for whom he is to vote in the
convention. In this way it is impossible
for him to have his vote diverted from
his fixed expression. II often happens
that a delegate is elected who is person
instructed 10 vote for some other man.
There were some 1000 votes cast at the
Chester county primaries, and every man
designated what member of the Legisla-
ture he wanted nominated. This resulted
in a complete defeat of all the Wanama-
ker candidates, and instead of accepting
the result like men they withdrew from
the convention and announce that they
will make a deal with the Democrats.
That is their privilege, but they can not
do so and claim 20 be Republicans any
longer. II they wish to carry out the
rlle or ruin policy they can try it. but we
d not believe that they will be aided by
any great number of Republicans in
Chester county.
We presume this plan will be attempt
-, s,.a -,
order to make the Legislature Democratic
for the sole purpose of defeating Senator
Quay and incidentally TO defeat Colonel
Stone if they can. This is their privilege,
but we do not believe the plan will work.
That plan was tried in Oregon on Mon
day, when all the Republican msleon-
tents turned in TO help the Democrats aud
were ingloriOusly defeated. The Repub-
lican ticket swept the State and the mall
contents have been sent to the rear.
The men who have long been identified
with the Republican party and who have
been honored by it may lcw turn on the
party they have professeG to love, and
whose principles they have claimed to in
dorse, and try 10 destroy it. but they Will
not succeed. II is about time these men
were coming from under cover and ex-
planning exactly what they propose 10 do.
II they want TO become Democrats and
march under the banner of Bryan, let
thssn come ont like men and say so. and
iF they are strong enough they can defeat
the Republican party. We do not believe
they constitute one per cent. of the Re-
publican party in the State. They can
make lot of noise, but it takes votes TO
win in a campaign.
The Chester county plan of campaign
may attract few sOreheads and seekers
for place, bat the mass of the Republi-
cans will stand firm for the party. for its
candidates. for Mckinley and for the ma
tional principles of Republicanism.