Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-03-01


dicate my Democratic fellow citizens from the
unjust mputa,ions cast upon them by junto Of
spurious pretenders and if, in the performance
of this imperative duty, should happen to tread
upon the corns of some ofmy neighbors Of Will
Transport, it is not because feel any disposition
to wound their feelings, but because those ex-
crescences have grown to such magnitude that
il is impossible to pass through the field Of de-
fence without coming in contac, with them
"Old Lycoming" nsinuates that my political
sins commenced before the memorable contest
of 80, when William F. Packer, the late Au-
ditor General Of Porter's administration, was
a candidate for the State Senate, and defeated;
but specifically charges me with being chiefly
instrumental in producing that result. But a
plain statement of facts, and reference TO the
columns of the Lycoming Gazette, of which he
was, at that time, the editor, being still the own
er will show that his defeat had its origin in
the honest Indignation Of a majority Of the peo-
pie upon whom his paper had, for months, con-
tinued to pour out torrent of personal abuse.
1t will be remembered that in 1885 the De-
mocratc party in Pennsylvania was, unfortu-
nately, divided upon the question of Governor.
The respective friends of George Wolf and II.
A. Muhlenberg, having separately organized,
each party claiming to support the regular no.
mna,iu. Here was an open division of the
party, and harmonious action among its mem
bers was scarcely even hoped for by the most
sanguine but previous to the meeting of the
County Convention, the Standing Committee
met, and, in order TO unite the two branches Of
the party upon local affairs, they published the
following patriotic sentiments
denominations having already been made for
Governor, and differences of opinion existing in
ranks in relation TO that question it is expect
ed that delegates will be elected and county
ticket formed without reference to the Guber-
material election. Let those who have hitherto
been found rallying around the standard of De-
mocracy and in support of President Jackson,
in the great leading measures Of bis administra-
ton, by uniting, present an undivided front to
their common opponents. 1t is by union alone,
in our local questions, that we can expect to
succeed with our county ticket"
("Signed by Geo Crawford, E. P. Youngman,
w. Piltt, IT,, w. A. Petrikn, David Hanna,
Isaac Bruner, w. Morrison, T. Maxwell, VIM.
F, Packer.)
The result of this conciatory measure was
a compromise, aud the settlement OF full tick
ct, upon which w F. Packers name appeared
as the candidate for Senator Being the editor
of the Gazette, common prudence, at least,
should have dictated moderation in his abuse OF
= Mr.. Muhlenberg and his friends, while he soil.
. cited the votes Of the latter to elevate himself
e to a seat in the Senate but, instead of pursu'
ing a course calculated to foster and preserve
!. TIE feelings of amity thus happily begun, his pa
q per continued its foul abuse OF Il large portion
e of the parry with, it possible, more viruencf
/, than ever! Would that not account for his de
J. feat in county where Mr.. Muhlenburg re-
g ceved 935 votes
y Let any one take the trouble to examine a
r file of the Iycoming Gazette, Tor 1898, ed tee
G by Mr.. Packer, and noie the abuse of Mr.. Muh
n ien6erg and his friends, and he will be full,
convinced that no exertons could have pro
h cured him the unanimous support of partl
e whose scnsbities he continued grossly to out
c rage Up 10 the very day on which they wert
It called upon to supper, h:n In number O
d that paper, of May 10Th, 30, the reader vii
J. find several articles abusive OF MIR. N. and hi
l. friends. wherein the former is denominated th'
10 "Church and State candidate" and the latte
= "Mahlies," friends of the "ParSon," who hire.
IS men TO set as officers in the "Muhley Meet
e ngs!" Through several columns, under dat
i OF the 20,h, personal abuse of individuals .
e slung with a reckiessuess rarely Itevcr equal
e led. Passing over several numbers, fl led Will
y The same kind Of offensive slang, find an uu
II gcntlemanly personal attack upon Mr. Mullen
;, berg himself, published in the Gazette on tt,
" 10Th fJune. Were il possible, in a commun.
n cation necessarily short as this must be, 10 col
l. lect and condense all the nauseous venom PUT
l. iished, about this period, by Mr., Packer, ~h
r was not only the candidate for the Senate, bu
o one of the Wolf Delegates TO the BaltimoT,
r Convention, held an office under Gov. Wolf
l. and was the editor of the Gazette which cor
y tanned this slang, 1t would exhbta plciui'
Is from ~hch humanity would shudder, ar
Il would fully account for his defeat without am
agency of nine | shall, however, be able 4
,, show and provr tpO that unworthy as he wa
,i yet, for the sake OF the principles at stake
ir gave hIm an ardent support Lea II also be r'
Y mcmhcrcd that as Supcrnirn,lant OF the Caut