Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-09-05
The Democratic Union, Mr.. Foster and Free
Trade.

"Thc Sunbury American asserts That Mr. rOS'
TER, the Democratic candidate for Canal Com
missioner, lis a frce.trade man, and his election
would be hailed as triumph of ftee.,rade.' We
have known that gentleman long and intimate.
", and We can vouch that his sentiments ale
directly the adverse of )ree.irdde. The same
paper, not content with mis.reprcsenting MIR.
Fosters views upon the tariff, snys: let it
also be remembered, that Mr.. Foster. through
his arelcssness and want oi judgement. suffered
the C'ark's Ferry Bridge to be destroyed by FIRE
This charge Is one of infauy. and none but
the mos, ,iudiclivr motives could have induced |
The editor io make II.
Every aohv knows that Mr.. Foster had about
as much io to III the destruction nfthe Cark's !
Ferry Bridge as tho editor Of the American
himself"
For the satisfaction of the editors Of the Union, |,
and for the information of the people of rennsyl
vania, we repeat and reitcrate the charge, in re-
lation to Mr.. Fosters free trade principles, not
wi,hs,andng the editors Of the Union profess TO
''vouch that his sentiments are directly the al.
verse of free trade" anI for the proof Of which
we are ready to refer TO number of respectable
individuals, iih whom Mr.. Foster has converscd
within the present year. and 10 whom he avowcd
and expressed himself in favor of such principles
We can also refer them to gentleman of charac.
ter and standing in this place, who corversed
with Mr. Foster on this subject last winter, in
the Canal Commissioners room. at Harrisburg,
when Mr.. Foster most decidedly declared himself
in favor OF the doctrine of free trade. Besides,
we might refer to the fact that Mr., Foster is the
warm friend and right hand man of Jesse Miller,
/ 81. f.,o a., ,T tbn r,u
that he is the intimate and warm political friend
of Mr.. Wlmot. the only member from Pennsyl.
vania who voted for McKay's bill, and from
whom he has most probably imbihcd his free
trade opinions, and that he is supported by all
the free trade papers This is our authority for
this chatge against Mr. Foster, which we pre-.
sumo, will require something more than the asser-
ton of the editors ofrhc Union 10 reiute, who, if
we mistake not. several years since, unfortunate.
" vouchcd for the tariff views of much more
distinguished and successful candidate, on the
authority of "near neishbor."
Ii certainly does not become the editors of the
Union TO question the motives of any man. This.
for them, we should think was a most delicate
and tender subject. Had we that malignancy of
heart of which they accuse us, we m ebt ask,
from what motives did they shift their course in
relation TO the present state administration and
10 Mr. Foster himself, whom they opposed until
the recent demise Of the Harrisburg Reporter,
the late organ of the administration, when. by a
most miraculous and sudden conversion, they be.
came the apologsts, and their paper the organ OF
these same individuals. These are questions
that naturally suggest themselves to all rejecting
minds bu, as we have 10 .'malignant" feelings tc
crafty, we shall refrain from making comments
, Personally, we entertain no mnkind feeling,
against Mr. Foster, nor has he ever given an,
occasion 10 rngenhcr such feelings We cannot,
therefore, be charged with having acted from
malevoience or vindictive motives.
= In regard to the burning Of :hr Clark's Ferr,
, Bridge. we only repeat, wha, is tho opinion OF al
I most all who are acquainted with the facts, ihn
I from carelessmess and want Of Judgment tn
y bridge destroyed, and that temporar,
i structure could have been made to supply tn
}! place Of the two lost spans al small expense
It which would have accommodated the trade, an
IS avoided the danger of sparks from the tow boat
y The Union further SAYS:
ITO oppose Mr.. Fosters clrciinn uron rol
J. tical grounds is one ihing--hnt to attempt I
u brand him with the crime ot Arson, is mnst ~
$, famous. Whatever may h" .ad oi him pol,r
IS cally. his private and public character are b,
yond rcproach."
n We canro, imagine from what motires III
v Union accuses us with having charged Mr.. Fm
.e ter with the crime Of arson. Ch,riiy forbid
ri MS 10 suppose that they were either msisnar
h or interested d. but Cnr political effect. Nor ca
'e We thirs it possible TINT the ccvcrrmcri orga
Sc is so ignorant Of common law as well ms con
mon sense. Ms t0 clnStrue the charge Of "car,
- lcssncss and want of Judgment" To constitute
or crime He'd Mr.. Fus,er even applied The tore
is with his own hand. "ihrnnst carelrssncss
a. crime o arson. We need lot repeat what ever
a Tyro knows, that the quo animo or design al
a, in,en, is whu, distinguishes crnnc from acc
rn dent, carclcssncss, or waui Of judgment, in a
e. cases.
he But The Union would have us To believe ihi
we have no right 10 oppose Mr.. Fosters elec'lo
IA, excerpt upon political grounds. A pretty doc,rir
en- for democrats, truly. Mr.. Foster, its seem
re. is not /, he found fault WITH whatever may
y his official misconduct or his mismanagpmcl
th or carelcssness on the public works, provide
he is politically right. The democracy
NV Northumberland county, at least, ent' ran ve