Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-23
LETTER FROM W. A. CAMPBELL.

>>~>~~f
Mr.. S. B. .Row.-DEAR SIR In the Repub-
lican of last week | saw a notice of our last
exhibition, in the commencement of which the
editor endeavored with the one hand to set
forth some commendation, but before he had
advanced far, the wind changed, and he got to
tearing down with both. / am disposed to let
such blasts pass by unheeded, and would do
so in this case had he confined himself to facts
and truth but of these two requisites the piece
is exceedingly destitute.
Lest some should construe my silence into
an acquieScence of the truth OF his assertions
which L believe to be groundless-I have
consented to answer him 'saccording to his
folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.'
In the outset let it be fully understood that
the speaker of that speech, (The Condition of
our Country,) is himself Democrat, is of
Democratic descent as far back as can trace,
and nothing else. These have been and are
his views, and know not but that he may ever
cherish them unless disgusted at this unmcri-
ted and unmanly attack on him as speaker,
and on his teacher and others concerned, by a
member of his party.
After the speaker handed me the speech for
examination. l remarked to him, that / did
not think in all points it met his political
views or the views of some of the party.
His reply was, he saw nothing m it objec-
tionable, or calculated to give offence, 1T Being
nothing but narration of facts without any
particular regard 10 party.
This also was my opinion of 1t, and further
remarked that whatever of political sentiment
might be found in it, was, IT 1t had any bear
ing, of an opposite tendency to the politics of
the speaker himself, and under those circum-
stances | felt assured no reasonable man could
take offence-otherwise | would not have ap-
proved of it, unless he had an opponent, and
then | see no impropriety in speeches of that
character on such occasions. This will suffice
for nv reasons in allowing it.
The Editor SAYS, .swe saw much to admire
and but little to condemn - and then goes on
to make something great ont of that ''iittie. .
Truly L should think it were something formi-
dable in an exhibition which would merit such
terrible retributiou as he would have follow it.
s:The piece" he says, sswas nothing more
nor less than a re-hash of some false and stale
Abolition editorial from the New York Tri-
bune or some other disunion organ"
This deny, as / know whence it EN- aDated,
and challenge him to identify it with either
or any.
He calls it an ssAboition editorial" Now
to my knowledge there is not an Abolition
sentiment in it. This / also throw back as
false, until he shows proof.
He says ssIt was full of misrepresentation,
unfair and unpatrotic, and was badly written,
badly delivered, and was as grossly defective
in grammar as it was in facts.''
These are bare assertions, Esquire, calcula-
leu 10 IlfONU out WITHOUT tNlueHCc
to justify them, and we call upon You to sub
stantiate them.
viii the Editor be so kind as to show MS
wherein anything was misrepresented, where
in it was unfair and unpatriotic, wherein it
was badly written, or where he can produce a
better written piece, save his own short piece
on the Exhibition, which contained at least
Two photographic mistakes, wherein it could
have been better delivered by one who has had
but five months practices and lastly, but not
least, wherein it was grossly defective in
grammar.
To this last assertion 7 narticularly call fhe
Editors attention, and wish him TO quote the
sentence or sentences that are incorrect, and
give the rules of grammar that are thereby
violated. Though not my own composition,
stand ready, if it has errors, TO admit them, if
not, to defend it..
| have not the speech at present in my pos
session, but expect to have it in few days.
when we can test its grammatical inaccuracy
and other deformties to the foundation.
The Editor knows he has made the attack,
and the onas probandi rests on him. People
arc not satisfied with mere ass .rtions, and we
call on him for proof, rest under them as
false. Yours truly,
w. A. CAMPBELL
n. Is. ssFast men, like fast rivers, are gem
orally the shallowest." says the Republican,
Admitted, Esquire, and who will deny that
your ideas were afoat in the center of that
rapid current when you penned these lines on
our EAniOltion. WAC