The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-02-26

The Presidency and Canal Commissions.

. s.. y :
and devotion to the Constitution has justly bsan-
styled the Keystone of the Federal Arch, she is
no less the citadel Of Democracy. Uniformly
her vote has been cast for the Democratic can
didate for the Presidency, with but two e1cep-
tions, the memorable Harrison and Taylor cam
paigns. Aside from these instances she has
been true as steel to the principles of Democracy,
and for her needful services how has she been
rewarded? One distinguished Pennsylvania
has been elevated to the Vice Presidency. Does
this cancel the debt of gratitude due her by her
sister States for her constant and unwavering
support of their favorites7 We think not We
want something more substantial, we desire o
higher position for another Of her citizens, who
| aside from the claims Of the State, has superior
ability, unmistakeable statemanship, and the
confidence of lamented Jackson and Polk to
recommend him to the nations support. We
offer man whose character is pure and unsul-
lied whose talents aud abilities are unquestioned
whose health and faculties are not the sufferers
through age, who can combine as many elements
of popularity as any other candidate, and we
ask the States to accept him as one who would
honor and dignity the station. We offer James
Buchanan for President of the United States.
Certain it is that Pennsylvania by an over
whelmning vote in the next State Convention
declares for James buchanan. This convention
meets at Harrisburg Thursday next, March
4th. In order to evince an honest and sincere
regard for the voice Of the majority, let the
convention make on unanimous choice such a
course would not only elevate themselves in the
party but cause the demands of Pennsylvania to
be heard from Maine to Texas. The voice of
the old Keystone State should be potential, and
if the action of our convention be unanimous,
her long deferred claims triU not be disregarded.
We trust the convention will not only act har-
moniously and unanimously, but will send no
person as delegate to the Baltimore Convention
but those who may meet the entire appreciation
of Mr.. Buchanan. This is due to him and to
the Democracy of the State. We must have no
psuedo friends who will vote according to in
structions in convention and say they do so
merely TO comply with those instructions but
will be satisfied with either of the other promi-
nent candidates" Such friends injure the pros
poets Of any man. If Pennsylvania be true to
her own interests there is every reason 10 be-
for the Presidency, and with the re-adoption of
the Baltimore platform of 1S4S and an endorse
ment of the adjustment of 1850, his election
would be fixed fact
Another very important act of this convention
will be the nomination of q suitable person for
the Office of Canal Commissioner. An import
ant election takes place next fall and il is par
ticularly desirable that good and competent
man should De selected. one both popular and
deserving. The convention will have the names
of many good and reliable men presented to it
to select from, and should act cautiously and
discreetly, looking only to the general good of
the whole party. Since the people have elected
a Canal Board the majority of the Democratic
party has dwindled from Is, 900 down to 6, 900,
caused by the various factions and local diff
cultes in different parts Of the State and conse-
quent prescription when either faction is in the
ascendancy. Judicious must hereafter be
exercised, or in few years democratic majo-
rity in Pennsylvania will be an obsolete idea"
Among the names we notice mentioned by
their friends are those of Col. Gordon F. Mason
Of Bradford, John B. Bratton, Esq, of Mother
Cumberland" John Cresswell, Esq, Of Hunt
ingdon, Maj. John Cummings, of Union, Hon.
Timothy Ives, of Potter, Gen. Brindle and Ro-
bert FAIRIES, of Lycoming, and number of 9TH
ers, all good men and good Democrats, and
many of them in our opinion competent and
worthy. AT thi. time it is absolutely necessary
to have truly competent candidate, one whose
ability and qualifications are above suspicion.
Although judge of human nature may be ne
cessary in the selection of officers for the public
improvements, it were well to know that the
appointing of officers is the smallest part of the
duty appertaining to Canal Commissioner. He
should be either a practical man or an engineer
as thousands of dollars may be lost to the State
by the incompetency or neglect of this Board.
In selecting Canal Commissioner the con-
vention should also take into consideration the
section of the State whence he comes. The
northwestern and eastern portions of the State
have each their Canal Commissioner. Allegheny,
Westmoreland, Somerset, Cumberland and Lam
caster Counties have each their Judge Of the
Supreme Court. elected last fall, leaving the
entire north without a single Office and if defea-
ted new, without candidate. The north of our
State is always reliable for q large Democratic
majority and it is certainly bad policy to refuse
acceding to its slight demands. We do not de-
sire to be understood as speaking disparagingly
of candidates from other sections of the State
or overlook their claims on the party. We but