Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-09-22
VICTOR E. PI0LLET.

demands at our hands some consideration. The
mass of our people may not have had as good
an opportunity for noticing his course, during
the past few years, as we have had and we
propose as briefly as possible, to notice his po-
litical career, particularly upon the question OF
Freedom, endeavoring strictly nothing to ex-
tenuate, nor set down aught in malice"
Mr.. PIoILEr was the representative from this
County during the sessions of 1861. During
the latter session, he introduced resolutions III
s~tructing the Senators and Representatives in
Congress from this State to vote against the
acquisition of any new territory unless the VIII
mot Proyiso was made a fundamental part of
such acquisition. This resolution passed unani-
mously, and the expressed object was to sus-
tain Hon. DAVID WMMoT in his efforts to pre-
serve territory about to be acquired, from the
blight of slavery.
Upon the adjournment of the legislature,
Mr.. PIoILEr was an applicant for the post of
Pay-Master. AT that time advocacy of the
extension of slavery had just begun to be an
article of the democratic creed. The Slave
power had already commenced to bring the pa
tronage of the General Government to its aid,
and to prescribe and denounce those who were
opposed to the propagation Of slavery. Col.
PIoLLET found it necessary to repent, and apo
logize for the course he had taken in the Penn
~sylvania legislature, and to swear allegiance to
tba lnsirnS of tho Observation-Disclosures Yhot
such was an easy task for him, all who are ac-
quainted with his faculty for misunderstanding and
S%huffling will easily believe. However, he got
the post and after a narrow escape from
shipwreck in the Senate, for his Free-soil pro-
c~livities, finally found himself in Mexico, as a
Pay-Master in the Army of the United States.
Mr.. PIoLLEr's next appearance upon the po-
litical boards of Bradford County, was in 1913.
At that time, neglecting the duties of his Office,
at the request of the pro-slavery politicians of
Washington, he returned to Bradford, to pre-
vent the return to Congress of Hon. DAVID
WHMoT. The great question involved in the
Wilmot Proyiso, had created an intense excite
ment throughout the country. The designs of
the slave-power to acquire new regions for the
extension of that baleful institution were now
apparent. The Freemen of the 18th Congress
sional District, were rallying with unanimity
and enthusiasm around the champion of that
principle of Freedom. At this %juncture, Col.
PIoLLEr made his appearance, and commenced
a series of intrigues to defeat Mr.. WILMor's re-
election. Yes, fellow-citizens, the man who.
hardly a twelve-month before, had introduced
a resolution into the Pennsylvania Legislature
endorsing and approving of the Wilmot Pro
viso, was now endeavoring, at the bidding of
the slavery-propaganda, to overthrow the cham
pion of that Proviso stealthily and fraudu-
lently working to undermine him at home
This was not done openly and honestly, but
while protesting friendship. But it was of no
avail ; the people rallied to support the man,
whose principles they honored, aud elected him
by an overwhelming majority.
Do you ask what was the cause of this in
consistency of action, this treacherous friend
ship, and this desertion of principles You
will find it in the position assumed by the Ge-
neral Government, under which Mr.. PIoLLEr
held a lucrative Office. The Administration
had sunk SO low, that it demanded and expec-
ted at the hands of its s~ubordinates a perfect
obedience to its behests, and a support of the
designs of slavery. Allegiance to the slavery
eXtensionists was the test of political orthodoxy,
and all who did not subscribe to those doctrines
were " suddenly cut off, and that without rene
dy," from the favors of the Administration
1t was too much to suppose that Col. PIoLLEr
would relinquish an office, on account of devo-
ton to any principle-or that he would not
sacrifice his friends at the bidding of the Ad-
mlnistratiOn whose favors he enjoyed.
Since 1913, the political history of this man
is fresh in the memory Of every voter of Brad
ford. The mask was speedily thrown off, and
he has been known, on all occasions, as bitter
ly and actively opposing the friends of Freedom
i'll this County. Whenever the opponents of
slavery-extension have been endeavoring to
uphold their principles, has not VIcroR f.. Pr
oLLEr always been plotting and working to de-
feat their expression ? Whenever an apologist
for the institution and designs of slavery, has
been needed, a ready and INSCRIPTIONS one has
been found in VICTOR E.. PIoLLEr. A more ultra,
pro-slavery ~dough-face, does not exist in Penn
s~ylvania. The extreme Southern STAKEHOLDER,
holds no more damnable and outrageous doc
4.. IL. L.: -. l.. L..
pressed, who now expects the Freemen of Brad
ford to give up all the principles they have so
often rallied to defend against his attacks, and
vote for him to crafty some petty local in
faract