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

IETTER EhOA W u. D1---41-
Mr.. s. B. Row.-DEAR SIR; In the hePuo-
Ijc1u of last week [ saw notice OF our last
exhibition, in the commencement OF which the
editor endeavored with the one hand TO set
forth some commentator, but before he had
advanced far. the wind changed, and he got to
tearing down with both. L am disposed TO let
such blasts pass by uuheeded, and would 90
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 constTUe my silence into
an acquiescence of the truth OF ms assertions
which [ believe to be groundless-I have
consented TO answer him E'according TO ms
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 CouHtry.) is himself 4 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 unmcrl-
ted and unmanIy attack on him as a speaker,
and on his teacher and others concerned, by
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 in it objec-
tionable, or calculated to give offence, it being
nothing but narration of facts without any
particular regard to party.
This also was my opinion of 1t, aud further
remarked that whatever of political sentiment
might be found in it, was, If 1t had any bear
ing. of opposite tendency to the politics OF
the speaker himself and under those clrcun-
stances / felt assured no reasonable man could
take ofence-otherwise l 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 suiflce
for my 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 out of that ''ittt!e y
truly | should think it were something forni-
daJIe in an e7shibition which would merit such
terrible retribution as he would have follow it.
ssThe piece,'' he says, sswas nothing more
nor less than q re-hash Of some false and stale
Abolition editorial from the New York I'ri-
buRe 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 s:Abolition editorial.'' Nov
to my knowledge there is not an Abolition
sentiment in it, This l also throw back as
/ false, until be shows proof.
! He says sit was full Of misrepresentation
unfair and unpatriotic, and was badly written.
| badly delivered, and was as grossly defective
/ in grammar as it was in facts"
| These are bare assertions, Esquire, calcula-
! ted to injure, and thrown out without evidence
! to justify them, and VIC call upon you to SUBJ
/ stantiate them.
| Will the Editor be SO kind as to show us
| wherein anything was misreprcsented, where
| in it was unfair and unpatriotic, wherein ii
/ was badly written, or where he can produce Z
/ better written piece, save his own short piece
| on the Exhibition, which contained at least
/ :wo photographic mistakes, wherein it could
| have been better delivered by one who has had
/ but five months practice and lastly, but not
| least, wherein it was grossly defective il
| grammar.
To this last assertion, particularly call the
+ Editors attention, and wish him 10 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, II
| not, to defend it.
have not the speech at present in my pos
! session, but expect to have il in few days
/ when we test its grammatical inaccuracy
/ and other deformities to the foundation.
/ The Editor knows he has made the attack
| and the onWs ProbaHii rests on him. People
/ arc not satisfied with mere ass ,rtions, and VT
/ call on him for proof, rest under them a:
| false. Yours truly,
W. \. CAMPBELL.
y. 3. EsFast men, like fast rivers, are gen
orally the shallowest.'' - says the Republican,.
Admitted, Esquire, and who will deny thai
| your ideas were aioat in the center of thai
rapid current when you penued these lines OF
our Exhibition. WA c.