The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-08-11

didates into the field as-to prevent choice
from being effected, and thus devolve the
selection of President upon Congress,
with the view to practice the same species
of fraud by which the elevation of John
Quincy Adams TO the executive chair was
achieved. Though repeatedly defeated,
1t has as often returned to the contest, with
a perseverance stimulated by the magnitude
of the stake contended for. At one time
apparently disorganized, it drops its name,
and, claiming to be composed Cf new ma
terials, again presents itself under the i'm
posing title of "NatiOnal RpubIicaoS,,' and
this is, in its turn, abandoned for the seduc-
tive appellaton of "Friends Of the National
System" Based on pretence too gross
TO mislead the public mind, the assumption
was not followed by the anticipated success;
and now, regardless of the political opin-
ions, the devoted patriotism, and the dis
interested sacrifices with which the term of
"Whigs" as associated, it has, and with sa-
criigous hand, and desperate boldness,
characteristic Of its leaders, ventured TO
usurp the sacred name of the fathers of our
Revolution. ~.
Made tip of men differing in their views
on questions of public policy, and agree
ing only in the single object Of pulling
down the Democratic party from the ascen-
dancy to which an approving people have
advanced it, we Behold these sef-styed
"Whigs" associated in Pennsylvania, with
another party-if party it may be called
monstrous creation owing its bhth to
frenzied fear and wide spread alarm, and
its continued existence TO falsehood and de-
lusion, and which, acknowledging no other
tie than opposition to the masonic fraternity,
and, professedly, aiming at no other end
than she destruction Of the lodge, has al
ready been turned aside from its path by
the adroitnoss, and 10 crafty the ambition,
of its leaders, and is now made to cherish
what it affects 10 abhcr--the votary Of free
masonry. r. 7
Busted in the selection Of an "available'
candidate for the Presidency of the United
States, this party, at the command of its
new allies, has forgotten its distinctive fea-
ture, apdis now preparing to support and,
if that were possible, to elect to the highest
office in these States, not only an adhering
member Of the ledge, but one who short
time since, in the language Of scorn aud in
dignation, rebuked anti-masonry for its pre-
sumption in addressing him on the subject
of his masonic connection.
These are but few of the onormities
and inconsistencies Of which these aasocia-
ted parties have been guilty, briefly aid
imperlecty told. We do not recapitulate
them because they are unknown to you,
but because it is wholesome, at time like
this, to recur, frequently, to the opinions
and actions of our antagonists that we may
know how to estimate them, and be the bet
ter enabled to anticipate and counteract their
designs.
=, Such are the parties now arrayed against
each other. On the one hand, Democracy,
the parent of free representative Govern
ment, with all its purity of purpose and
soundhess of doctrine--on the other, Fed
eralism, with all'its political errors and its
ancient prediction for strong central
government, closely resembling monarchy;
allied with anti.masonry, avowing no prin-
ciplc of action but one based on proscrip-
ton and persecution.
Irrespective of the merits Of the two can
didates who have been presented to your
choice, no good citizens, who loves his
country and reveros her democratic inst-
tutons, can, for a moment, hesitate on which
side to array himself. Relying on the cor
rectness Of the delipeaton we have given
of these parties, and confident that the truth
of the picture viii be, at once, acknowl-
edged by those who have been attentive and
;,nnartial ohserVes of men and measures