Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-02-14
ALEX. CALDWELL, ESQ.

| Our allegation that ALEX. CALDWELL was
hot elected to the Legislature from this Dis
trict, as the regular nominee of the Democrat
/ ic party, has been denied by the papal sheet
that has made such violent and outrageous
attack upon lis character, because. as they
| say, the Conventions held in this and Elk
| county instructed their representative dele
| gates to support him. But we have yet TO
| learn that the mere appointment and instruc-
tion of conferees who never meet, is to be
deemed equivalent TO nomination. If it had
been discovered after the adjournment Of these
conventions, and the instructions of the dele
gates, that Mr.. Caldwell was not member of
the party, but that he held opinions diamet-
rically opposed to the cardinal principles OF
Locofocoisn, would it be pretended that he
was the regular candidate, or would the dele
gates be compelled to vote for his nomination.
in the District Conference? But the Confer
ees never met,-there was no nomination
made, and unless Mr.. Caldwell would take the
mere dicta of the ssElk Advocate,'' instead of
the official information from the regularly ap-
pointed delegates, he could not possibly have
considered himself the party candidate. Nor
was he so considered by the Democratic lead
ers themselves. Else why did they secretly
oppose him, and circulate through the county
that he was 'sKnow Nothing ?'' Why did
they band together in dsreputable, under
handed attempt to defeat him, and elect Seth
a. Backus of M'Kean county? Why was he
opposed by ] John L. Cutie, Esq, one of the
Instructed conferees, on the ground that he
was an American, if he was the regular Dem
ocratic candidate 2 Why was he interrogated
by the Locafoco leaders here, on the Court
week previous to the election, and why did he
refuse to answer their interrogatories, if he
was the Democratic candidate
But it is said that the resolution of the
American Convention at Curwensville, nomi-
mating him by acclamation, speaks of him as
'salready before the people, and hence that
'sthey viewed him the candidate of the
Democratic party" Now, it is not denied
that he was elected the first time in opposition
to Arnold, the regular Locofoco candidate, |
and we believe it is customary to send Rep
resentative two consecutive sessions. 1t may |
be very easily seen, then, how he was 'sbefore |
the people, II the American Convention
had 'looked upon him. as the regular Demo |
cratic candidate, it is not very probable that, |
in the same resolution, they would declare |
their confidence in his Americanism The |
Locofoco party, We believe, is not the most |
hostile organization in the world TO foreign |
But it must be evident to any one who has /
received his first lesson in politics, that Mr..
Caldwell was not the Democratic nominee, |
and that having received the vote of the peo-
pie at large in his District, he is bound to full |
II what he believes to be their desires, regard !
ess alike of the wishes of few political |
and Of the opposition of those who
ire driven to it from popish inclinations and |
tendencies. In voting with the American
party, he is discharging his duties to the ma
ority of his constituents, for the day of old
political corruption and party management is
over in this Representative District, where the
American party is now largely in the MAORI
y. Hereafter there will be no trouble TO de-
,ide what party sends the member, as it viii
1e like the handle of a jug, all on one side.