Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-09-20
The Grand Democratic Fizzle.

The Grand Democratic FlZzle.
The great Democratic rally for which hand
bills had been posted, and recruits drummed
up, for the last two weeks, came off in the
Court House last night, and notwithstanding
Gov. Bigler was expected to speak, it proved
mighty slim affair-emphatically cone
horse'' concern. Taking off the Wings and
Natives, who attended through curiosity, the
meeting did not number one hundred persons,
and as whole, was much smaller than the
Temperance meeting, in the same place, on
Monday evening.
As we entered, Judge Barrett, one of the
defeated aspirants, was concluding his open
ing remarks as Chairman. We heard him
say something about the stail OF the ticket
when he took his seat, and ". A. Wallace,
Esq, one of the late Congressional Conferees
ssexhibited''to the sunterrifed' their candi-
date fan Congress, David Barclay, Esq, of
Jefferson county. Mr.. Barclay made a long
and laborious apology for-the Nebraska Bill
He said if he had been in Congress he would
not have voted for it,-that he deemed it mex
pedient, though he endorsed the doctrine of
s.popular sovereignty.'' He admitted it was
wrong bnt sought to apologize for the Adj
ministration on the ground that though it had
committed one wrong act, it had conferred
numerous benefits upon the country. When,
however, he came to enumerate the 'benefits,'
he discovered that they were :efew and far be-
tween''< and was compelled to despoil the wise
and patriotic Fillmore of his laurels, by claim
ing the exclusive credit of the celebrated
Japan Expedition. He then indulged in a
I'll
wich Islands, and wound up by declaring him
self in favor of Free federation and Religious
Liberty. He said not word on any of the
great issues of the present contest, but adopt
ed the favorite non-committal policy of Gov.
Bigler, and we defy any of those present to
tell his opinions on any of the questions now
agitated before the people.
The next speaker was the illustrious s"Bill
Packer who was once defeated for the SEN
ate in this district by Alex. Irwin. He has
very particular claims to the good will of the
lumbermen of Clearfeld county, as he labor
ed so laberiously to defeat their Bill to prevent
log-driving. He commenced by pre-suppos-
ing the existence of disaffection among the
sfirm' democracy of Clearfield, and besought
them not to forsake their fellow citizen and
neighbor, Gov. Bigler, in this, the hour of
his calamity. That if Clearfield would forsake
him, it would be the unkindest cut of all. He
told them he had been sent express from the
Governor who was lying sick at WaverIy, to
express his regrets that he could not be with
them. He then launched forth in TRADE
against know Nothingisrn,' from which he
got on to theology, and gave his fellow demo-
Gratis very lucid exposition of the New Tes-
lament, the Constitution, and the Declaration
of Independence. He came down the
clergy slike thousand of BRICK" and wound
up without saying one word in favor of
Governor Bigler's Administration or of
his position on any of the questions to
which public attention has been directed
The Sale of the Public Works, the Temper
ance Question, the Nebraska Bill, and all the
other great issues of the Campaign were en-
tirely overlooked, in the unparalleled zeal with
which they denounced, their imaginary foe,
the 8. Know Nothings."
The last speaker was repeatedly interrupted
by loud hurras for Bradford, and indeed, that |
was about the only enthusiasm we saw mani |
tested on the occasion. One old covey, ejac- |
ulated ssAmen'' once or twice, thinking, we |
suppose, ne was in prayer-meeting, which, as /
far as solemnity was concerned, it very much |
resembled.
And now, one word, as to Gen. William
Packer, who processes to be such an able ex-
FOUNDER of &c the law and the prophets" !" and
who was introduced last evening with such
grand flourish of trumpets. He was appoint
ed Canal Commissioner by Gov. Porter. He
went into the office a comparatively poor man.
He was subsequently appointed, by the same
person, Auditor General, and audited has oaon
accounts He came out of Office the possessor
of a princely fortune. We state the simple
facts, and leave our readers to make the COM
ments. |