The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-24
Colonel B,sisr,. Subcommittee, ;,

Colonel Bigler's Subcommittee"
The organ of the evicted, who wander like
shades around the scenes of former official en-
joyment, flies out with more than its usual acer-
bity Of tongue because we have dared to call
attention to the refusal of one of the anointed
nominees Of Democracy to answer certain ques-
sions put to him by one Of his fellow-citizens.
Bound, perhaps, like certain other associations,
10 rescue from public condemnation any of the
brotherhood" who may happen to be in trou-
BILE, the Union hastens to interpose its protec-
ton, which, like that of the scutte fish, merely
discolors the waters of controversy, without
shielding the subject of pursuit.
As we are accused of ignorance of material
statement, or of wilfully failing to admit its
of the charges brought against him, we will sue
cinctly restate the proposition in controversy.
To show that the Union did not evince as
much anxiety in regard to the opinions of the
Democratic as of the Wing candidates for office,
we some days since called its attention to the
fact that the following questions had been pro
posed to Colonel BTGLER by the North .An,eri-
can on the ID instant:
els Colonel Bgler in favor of the Fugitive Slave
law it now stands, without modification or
amendment?
els Colonel BigIer prepared to repudiate his vote
on the act Of ls47 denying the ails Of this State to
fugitive slavess
els Colonel Bigler ready to disavow his vote in
the State Senate in favor of the Wimot proviso?''
On the 9Th Instant the american speaks of
Tha- 1xr ~ =
relieve Colonel BIGLER from the vote which
he gave as member of the Senate in favor
of the act of lS47." 1t adds:
eve know that Colonel Biger did vote for the
act of ls47, with the section denying the use of
our jails to fugitive slaves. and that Governor
Skunk, Democrat as he was did give that bill his
full approval"
On the It'll the same questions appear again,
and the assertion is repeated, that "Coonel
BIoLER voted emphatically in favor of the act
6 of lS47, without reservation of any kind"
Up to the 18th these questions had "been
before the public for some time, and we have
not been able to extort any explanation from
the candidate of the Opposition, Colonel BIC
'LER. On the 18th Col. BIGLER was charged
with having zealously labored for the passage
of the act of le47."
We have been thus particular to show our
erudite censors that the reply offered by the
Psn1,syluanian was not satisfactory to the quer-
list, who, up to our latest dates, still persists in
keeping before the public these questions, so
very perplexing to Colonel BIGLER. This is a
controversy between the Pennsyluanian and
North american, the gst of which is, whether
a candidate for office did certain acts, or enter
tains certain opinions. The Pennsylranian in
sists that the North american ought to be salts
fled with its explanations of the only question
"having the slightest bearing" upon the sub
ject of controversy. The North american re-
fuses to acknowledge either the right of
candidate to reply by proxy, or that the replies
were, in themselves, satisfactory, and demands
a distinct answer from the candidate him
self" 1t is plain that the controversy may be
ended in very summary manner by letter
from Colonel BIGLER, who, it seems, can write
very nice letter when he tries. Let him re-
ply to these simple questions:
eel Is Colonel Bgler in favor Of the Fugitive
Slave law il stands, without modification
amendment
/" Is Colonel Biglcr prepared to repudiate his
vote on the act Of ls47, denying the ails of this
State to fugitive slaves?
Is Colonel Bigler ready to disavow his vote in
the State Senate in favor of the Wilmot proviso?'
The opinions Of the Union and Pennsuera-
MAN, though no doubt important, are not lust
now wanted.
If the Union intends to preserve the high
ground which it assumed for itself, and re-
preached us for not having taken also, let it pro-
test Indignantly against the ''mum" policy of
Colonel BIeLER-let it demand plain, unequiv-
ocal answers from Colonel BIGLER ''himself'-
let 1t remember that upon questions so momen-
tous as those which agitate and are like to agi-
tate the country the people dare not be content
with an answer by proxy; nor can Colonel
BrGLER be released from his political recooni-
zance to the people of Pennsylvania upon the
insolent evidence of his political accomplice. the
sPennsylodnian, or the very respectable ''straw
bail" so innocently offered by the organ of the
outsiders.