Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-09-30


year ago, in which repeled the imputatior
of Nativism as distinctly as deny it now
Yet the editor told his readers that the letter
contains an admission that my sentiments
were at that time adverse to the rights o.
foreign born citizens. A copy of the letter
thus misrepresented by the Pittsburgh Ga
eette, | send you herewith in the keystone o
Sept. 23d, 81
When men will allow their political pas
sons to get the better of their yeracity so far
as to mpel them to acts and assertions like
this. il is easy enough to understand how
and why was misrcpresented by reporter
of the Convention whose motives for doing SO
were Just as strong as those which actuate
political opponents now.
Another allegation, that | opposed Judge
Campbell last fall, is as false as any other of
the numerous misstatements recently made
against me. | never opposed any nominee on
account of his birth or religion, and | sup
ported no nominee last fall more heartily than
| did Judge Campbell.
1t is with infinite reluctance [ appear be-
before the public at this time, even in self
defence. 4 candidate for a judicial office is,
perhaps, more than any other candidate, requlr-
ed to await quietly the decision of the people.
| am as sensible as any man can be, that pol
itcs ought to be kept away as far as possible
from judicial elections, but the. terms of your
letter leave me no choice but to answer.
have answered, by giving you briefly the
truth. | give it because 1t is the truth; and
| accompany it with no appeal 10 party pas
sion or prejudice.
If industrious defamation can succeed in
representing me as having ever sustained any
ilihcral or proscriptive ism, then the Iruth
and Life are powerless against SANDER.
There are some presses and many mon op-
posed 10 ne in political sentiments, who are
GisposeJ to treat NE fairly, and who will not
descend 10 base appliances TO accomplish n
party purpose. Such men ana presses com-
mand my respect. Against others who are
less scrupulous have no shield but the truth
and my life, and relying on these, can af-
ford 10 wait, in patience, the verdict of the
people.
Thanking you, gentlemen, for the kind
feelings manifested in your letter am, with
great respect, your obedent servant,
GEORGE w. WOODWARD.
The first paragraph of the above letter
is a mere quibble, and might be pardon
able in small pettifogger from whom
nothing better could be expected, but can
not be regarded otherwise than discred-
liable in one who holds seat upon the
Supreme Bench, by Executive appointment
and seeks to retain it by an election there
to from the people. No person that we
know of ever charged him with being a
member Of the Native American organi-
zation. 1t was therefore wholly unneces-
sary for him to make so positive, and SO
formal an asseveration that he has never
been anything but what in plain terms
may be called a Locofoco. Never having
been charged with belonging to the Native
American organization, his remarks on
this point can only be regarded, as they
were doubtlessly intended, to mystify his
past career, or in other words, throw dust
in the eyes of the people and thereby mis-
lead and deceive them.
But Judge Woodward has been charg-
cd with having offered resolution in the
Reform Convention to exclude foreigners
from the right Of suffrage, and with bav-
Ing made a speech in support Of his reso-
luton. The evidences Of the truth Of that
charge are to be found in the published
Debates Of the Convention, Volume Y.
pages 443, 5, 81, &C. We have in our
possession the Debates Of the Convention,
and those who doubtthe truth of the charge
can have the opportunity of examining
them if they call at our Office. We have
not the required space to give the whole
but shall submit enough to
make good the charge. On the 443d
page Of the 5th volume Of said debates,
viii be found the following resolution Of
fered by Mr. Magee, from Perry county.
ReSolned, That Committee be appointed
to inquire into the expedency of so amending
the Constitution of Pennsylvania as to pre-
vent the future emigration into this State of
free persons of color, and fugitive slaves from
other States and Territories"
! motion was made to amend by offer
ing to insert the word foreigners, between
the words Of and free This motion was
pending, where we are informed on page
444 of volume ) of said Debates, that
Mr.. Woodward moved TO amend the a.
mendment, by adding thereto the words, 'and
that the said committee be also instructed to
inquire into the propriety of so amending the
Constitution, as to PREVENT any foreign
crs who may arrive in this State after the
4th of July, I64I, FROM ACQUIRING
THE RIGHT TO VOTE OR TO HOLD
OFFICE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH"
Not content with submitting this prom
Judge Woodward followed it up
with speech, which we find in the same
volume of the Debates, pages 446 Z, and
from which we make the following choice
extracts :
Sir, appreciate, as much as any man
living, the many political rights and privileges
which /, in common with the people of the
United States, am now enjoying; and it is
nv honest impression that WE DO BUT
SQUANDER THOSE PRIVILEGES in
,onferring them upon every individual who
4 IL L. Iys.,x