Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-10-24
The Bigler Brothers.

1t will be seen by the news from California,
that the Know Nothings of that State have
elected their entire ticket. JoHN BIeLER, the
present Governor, who, as a legislator, and g
Chief Magistrate. had performed signal SER
vices in Ehaping the policy and directing the
infant steps of that young and fourishing
Commonwealth--who had repeatedly defed
the menaces of the gamblers, and spurned the
insolent demands of the money changers and
speculators--who had so often. by the juoi-
cious use of the veto power, protected her cof-
fers against schemes of loose and prodigal leg
islation, has fallen at the hands of the Know
Nothing Order, as did his brother in this
State. under similar circumstances, year
since.
We were not. it is true. entirely unpre
pared for this result; for events in Atlantic
States had admonished us of the power of this
our own City and State rs first blows have
Teen its most efectual; and we venture the
prediction now, that it has gained it last tri-
umph in California, as all agree it has in
Pennsylvania.
There is something touchingly interesting
in the career Of the BIeLER brothers; and We
cannot refrain from brief reference TO the
most prominent features in the lives of both
on this occasion. They are Pennsylyanians
| by birth, Protestant in their religious belief.
and printers BY profession. They commenced
the career Of manhood without pecuniary
means. or the aid of influential friends, and
were active politicians in boyhood. Practi-
cal sense. sound judgment, great energy, in
duty, and fair Speeding ability, are the lead
ing characteristics of both. The California
brother had much longer editorial career
than he of Pennsylvania. BY the year 1850,
both had performed valuable services In the
Legislature of their respective States. In IS
81, the elder, JOHN, was elected Governor of
the youngest State in the Union, almost on
the shores of the Pacific. Within few days
of the same time, the younger WILLIAM,
reached the same high trust in their native
State on the Atlantic. In terrible struggle
against all the elements of opposition to the
Democracy in 1851, the latter was triumphant
ly sustained In 1854, with all parties &C
kDowledging the soundness of his general pol
icy as governor, aud his personal devotion to
what he deemed to be right, he was stricken
down by the Know-Nothing Order in dis
tinct contest for the constitutional rights OF
the State, and the civil and religious liberty
of the people. The former had triumphed in
first and second contest, and In 1858 had
maintained himself. with the entire press OF
the State against him, and the combined infu-
ence of band of reckless Spectators who de-
signed to prostitute the government to their
base purposes. At a subsequent session ol
the legislature. he signed bill to suppress the
vice of gambling, in the face of threats Of vi
olence to his person. He also vetoed the "a
nous EsrELL bill. and many other measures
calculated to entail an immense debt upon tho
State, and thus exacted from all parties The
need of praise due good and faithful ser
want In the late contest, as in the case ol
his brother of Pennsylvania, all parties con-
ceded to his own administration peculiar mer-
its, and to himself honesty and purity of pur-
poser Standing on the constitutional rights
of the State, and the citizens Of each, ire
spectivc of nativity or of religious persuasion
as distinct Platform, with scarcely SEN
tencc from the press against him, he wa.
made the victim Of the midnight Order. head
: ed by Fl. s Foote. II. Marshall, Bailey Pey.
ton, and others His opponent johnson. was