Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-07-03
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
How it is Done:

To the Editor of the Belmont Chronicle:
you read the secession American organs,
you will notice that they represent lat the
State is being rapidly recognized; that
some four hundred Councils have been al
ready organized, and that the work goes
bravely on. Now, this sounds very well, but
think if the facts in the case were genera
ally known, it would afford more amusement
than anything else. I cannot, of course,
vouch for all parts of the State, but presume
tn at it is fair inference that they are or
ganized about as this County has been. Il
is a we'll known fact that the present active
Americans in this State who support FILL
MORE, seceeded from the regular State Coun-
Gil, and that they demanded the charter from
the officers, and it not being given up new
one was produced, under VIII ich they organ
lied. 1t is also we'll known that a large
majority of those who have been and are yet
Americans in this county, are willing to
unite with any party for the time being who
are "opposed to the extension of slavery and
the present Administrat ion." This course
not suiting the FILLMORE faction, their rule
of action is for their Deputy to demand the
charter of Council (by what authority l
know not) of the President; which, upon
being refused, another charter is procured
for a Council of the same number, and given
to some person who will take it through
Perhaps there are not six individuals in the
neighborhood who will become MEMBERS
Now, Mr.. Editor this is organization with
rush. For instance, one case of this kind
that came under my own individual notice,
when a chatter was given to a person, and
no doubt will be returned by their Deputy
as regularly organized Council, when, from
the best information that can get, there
can not be half enough men got for officers.
This is whistling to keep up courage. It is
useless for a few individuals in Belmont
county to assume that they are Americans,
and that all who will not go with tkem in
their course are traitors to the cause. Now,
! am fully satisfied that majority of those
in this county who are Americans are willing
to act with any party, as stated in the be-
ginning of this article, and that because
they so act they are nc less Americans. But
the FILLMORE party say they are opposed
to slavery extension, and refer to the Cleve-
land Platform. would like to know how
many of the plNnks of that platform are in
the Philadelphia Platform! | think il was
the attempt to frame some Of those planks
into that platform that caused the split, a
majority of our own delegates seeding from
the Convention. When they came home
their course was sustained by majority of
the Order in the State. A minority split
off from sthem-united un FILLMORE, and
consequently ignore the question of slavery,
aud by doing so leave the Cleveland Plat
| fosm-denounce those who adhere to its
principles as traitors to the cause, if not to
their country. "Sold out to the Republican
pariy' is another phrase which they use to
frighten the nervous. A curious sell, when
a large majority of those who have been
elected 20 office in the State and county
hsve been members of the American party;
it is simply a union OF all parties for spe-
cific object. Now, if the party in this county
are honest in their denunciations Of slavery
extension, why do they refuse to unite with
others! They are familiar with the call for
the Republican Convention, will they unite
with us! The leaders will not, but Why
will they not, Because they are blind to
their own interests, or are false in their pro-
fessions You are aware that through the
influence of some of the active republicans
that party did not nominate last fall, but vo-
Ted for the nominees of the American party.
Because they did this then it is no reason
why they should again. They naturally
feel that they should have some say in who
the nom nees should be; not that they are
opposed 20 American candidates, but shat
they wish to have some hand in selecting
them.
Let the American party in Belmont coun-
ty call an open convention for the nomina-
ton of candidates for county offices, and IN
vite in that call all who are opposcd to the
L1cofoco party as it now exists, and for
one am with them, | care not if every man
nominated is an American; and many ott-
ers would vote for men who would be nom-
mated in this way, who would not touch
them when nominated in convention over
whi,h they could have no control.
But, Mr.. Editor, find that I am running
| on much farther than intended when | be-
gan. my object being to call your attention
and the attention OF your readers to the man
ner in hich the reorganization of the A
merican party" in this County was going on.
The next Presidential election will show
coincidence.
FREE AMERICAN.
1--The above communication should have
| appeared last week but was received too