Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-12-26

DAVID BARGLAY.-1This individual, no doubt
to the great surprise Of some of our readers in
this vicinity, has not only voted on every bal
lot for Speaker of the House, for Mr.. RTUaARp-,
sos, the Locofoco, n ebraska Candidate. but he
has taken occasion upon the floor of the
House, to assert bis Democracy, and his firm
adherence to the Nebraska Kansas Bill 10
say that his course has surprised us, would be
to tell that which is untrue, for we never for
moment relied upon his faith to our party,
from the simple fact that no honest man could
at the same time run openly as the candidate
of one party, and secretly take upon himself
the most solemn obligations to support the
principles OF its antagonist. Such q man
must be traitor to one party or the the 9th
er and it is but reasonable to suppose, that in
making the selection, his ssiirst love" should
have the preference. We say, therefore, that
we never depended upon the truth or oath of
DAVID BARCLAY, simply because the very fact
of his taking it, stamped him william.
Why then, it may be asked, did we support
him? Because there was nc ccioiea ci.cia left US,
! under the circumstances. We had no candi-
date. He received the American vote Of
Clearfeld county, under misrepresentation.
Had it been known, here, that Mr.. ARTHuRs
was the American Candidate of Jefferson, he
would have received the vote of the District,
and he would have been elected. But that
fact, owing to an imperfect organization, and
other causes, was kept in the dark, until too
late to do any good, and consequently, BARc-
LAY was elected. But we knew before it hap
pcned that he was traitor, and its early de-
yelopement, therefore, causes us no surprise.
Had he pursued any other course, we would
certainly have been astonshed.
There are one or two things connected with
his conduct, however, that deserve to be men
toned. We are aware that the simple fact Of
mans taking solemn Obligation, secretly,
to support principles directly antagonistic to
the party that is running him as its candidate,
developes want of moral honesty depth
of depravity, that needs no additional circum-
stances to increase. That alone, without his
subsequent violation of his voluntary cath, is
sufficient to stamp the character of the man.
But it seems that BARCLAY, when he decided
upon his course, determined to .sgo the whole
hog Notwithstanding any qualms Of con-
science which such unmittigatcd scoundrel,
even, might be supposed to possess. The
week of the Court, just previous TO the cleo
ton, Mr.. BARCLAY, visited our town, as will
be well remembered by those who witnessed
his striking limitations Of the .sartful dOdger,"
when undergoing the operation of Judge
BARRETF's ':stomach pump" at the Demo
cratic meeting. The night of that meeting
Immediately after it adjourned, Mr.. BARCLAY
came to our Office, where some fifteen or TWEEN
ty members OF the American Order had gath
cred, and then and there assured them, not on
" of his firm adherence to their principles,
but Of MS soundness on the Nebraska qucs-
ton, distinctly asserting, and calling on his
Maker to witness his truth, that he was oPpo-
sed to the Nebraska Kansas Bill, and would
vote for the restoration of the Missouri Com
promise IF Mr.. BARCLAY wants this proved
we are ready to substantiate it 10y at least ten
respectable witnesses, whose veracity no man
dare impeach.
We make no comment upon these facts, but
leave each reader to form his own opinion of
the individual who could be guilty of such
conduct \ great many liberties are allowed
| to politicians, but there is an extent to which
men dare not go, without blasting their repu-
| tations, and bringing upon themselves the
scorn and contempt OF every upright citizen.
| 1t is well understood here by the leaders of
Democratic party, that BARCLAY was mem
| Der Of the American Order, and it is COM
mon expression among them, that notwith-
standing his having Joined the K. Ms when
be was their candidate, they would have tho't
more OF him now, if he had stuck to them. in
stead of violating his oath!' He has brought
upon himself the contempt of those, even,
whom he desires to serve, and while they visit
upon him the seorn and loathing that his dupli-
| city, treason, and perjury merit, they say
what no one doubts, of his political career
ssit IS .fnished!''
4 WORD To AMBRIGANs.-Te the members
of the American Order in Cleariield, we have a
| few words to say, before we bid them an edi-
| toriaI adieu, and we do SO, at present, lest ii
be forgotten, in the numerous business matters
to be attended to in making the change about
to occur. We propose TO take haSty glance
at the history OF the party in this County.
Less than three years ago brutal murder
was committed on our streets, on the evening
of til day OF the State election, to which we
have heretofore alluded. An old man and a
venerable citizen was murdered in cold blood
! -, aoo,,r