The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-01-17
The Senator of Broken Pledges.

We are pleased to observe the healthy tone
of the public press in denouncing the treason
of Senator Best. We copy, on our first
page some more of the scathing denunciations
which flay him in these days. The one from
the Pennyluanian should be read by every
person in this Senatorial district. But there
is one editor. who kno,rs Best in manner
never to be forgotten. This is Mr. Bratton,
Of the Carlisle Volunteer, a gentleman of in
tegrity and a Democrat of principle. He for
merly edited a Democratic paper at Harris
bdrg, and lays bare the villainy of Best in
this fashion -
awe envy not the feelings of Valentine
Best, the miserable traitor who occupies the
Speakers chair of the Ssate Senate. By re-
ceiving the entire Federal vote and voting for
himself, he succeeded in accomplishing his
base purposes. We happened to be in the
Senate chamber when this disgraceful scene
took place. After the vote had been announ-
ced, Best was led to the Speakers chair. and
in ascending the platform presented the ap-
pearance of criminal mounting the scaf-
fold In his attempt to address the Senate,
he shook like reed in the wind-his words
were broken and interrupted, like the accents
of man in despair, and void of the energy
suitable TO the occasion. All, it is not to be
wondered at tina: he .rembled. He had just
perpetrated most dastardly and villainous
act, by turning traitor to those who had elec-
ted him to represent them in the Senate He
had, by base bargain with the Federalists,
thwarted the hopes of the Democratic party,
and he trembled like culprt as his con-
science upbraided him for his treason.
The treachery of Best should serve as a
lesson 10 our Democratic friends in every
county of the State. 1t should teach them
never 10 trust man with political power who
is not reliable and honest Democrat. Val
entine Best has always been-touse vulgar
expression-a '.fshy Democrat" We were
ADnished when the Democrats of his dis
trio, nominated him for the Senate, for we
well knew that he was not trustworthy pol
itcian. In 1s43 Mr.. Best was the editor of
two papers-both purporting TO be democrat
leone of which supported Gen. Cass, and
the other Richard M. Johnston for the Presi-
dency! This fact of itself was proof Of his
dishonesty as politician. When Governor
Porter turned traitor TO the Democratic party,
Best was his supple tool and defender. When
George w. Woodward, the regular Denocra-
tic nominee for the U. S. Senate, five years
since, was defeated through the detection of
a few Democratic members Of the Assem-
bly,, Mr.. Best rejoiced over his defeat. When,
some years since, William B. Anderson, who
received the Democratic nomination for State
Treasurer, was defeated, by union of the
Federalists with a sufficient number of men,
bers who had been elected as Democrats,
Best zealously defended those Democratic
members who proved recreant to their prin'
ciples.
Such has been the course of Valentine Best
ever since we have known him. He has al.
ways been trucking disorganizer-a ira
ding politician, who never cared straw "a
bout the principles of the Democratic party.
And yet, the Democrats of Luzerne and Col
umbia, knowing the political characterof this
man, elected him to represent them in the
State Senate. They now curse him because
of his treachery, but we must say, in all
kindness, that it does not become them to do
so. 7heyrecognized, and apparently appro-
we'd Mr.. Best's democracy. He has now re-
tured the poisoned chalce TO their own lips,
and they cannot, with very good grace,
complain.
We trust, however, as we said before, that
the treachery of Mr.. Best will serve as a
wholesome lesson, not only to our Democra-
tic friends of the thirteenth Senatorial dis
trict, but also 10 the Democratic party Of the
whole State. The people, in many of the
counties, it appears to us, are too careless in
selecting proper persons to represent them in
the State Legislature. 1t has been too much
the habit of late, 10 nominate m en- of doubt
full political character. Men of modesty and
of worth, who are Democrats from principle,
and who would scorn base act, are loo Oft
en- pushed aside by those who pride them
selves in being we'll versed in political in
trisue, and who are stepped to the eyelids in
corruption. Let the base treachery Of Valen-
tine Best, therefore, serve as warning here
after TO the Democrats of the different coun-
ties of Pennsylvania. Let teach them not
TO place in nomination for the Assembly any
man who is not Democrat from principle"
The Pardoning Power.