Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-04-23
william G.. Johnston.

We have been handed q statement made by
this gentleman, with request for publication;
with which request cheerfully comply.
Mr.. Johnston has heretofore been known as an
energetic, reliable, working Democrat. OF late,
charges have been made against him that he was
connected with the Know-Nothing order MIR.
Johnston having been apprised of this charge, has
taken the boldest and most straight forward way
to clear himself of the charge. His statement
is plain, straight forward, unyarnshed, and bears
the stamp of truth in every line. 1t is instruc-
tive, as showing the manner in which thousands
were humbugged into that order. We have no
doubt but that there very many unsuspectng
men in our county, who have beenshoaxed into
Known Nothingism, in the same manner in which
it was attempted to hoax Mr.. Johnston into it
As it will be seen, the dodge would not win with
Mr.. Johnston, and we hope that all well mean
ing men whe were deluded with Know Nothing
ism, will further initiate his example, and come
fright straight out,'' from among the 'foul
party.'' We can forgive those who were deceived,
who went into the order, captivated by
it's promises, and specious pretensions. But now
that it's corruption has been exposed, now that
the common Judgment of mankind has pronoun-
ced it hideous lie, the man who holds on to and
sustains Know:Nothingism " is guilty of i'm
pugning the known truth, and is destined to po-
litical damnation. But to the statement:
Mr. Johnston's Statement
Sometime during the summer of 1855, on the
day when Dan Rice's Show was in Ebensburg, |
was in that town, and while there, MR.. EDWARD
HUTCHINSON asked me to walk into his office.
went in with him-after we were in the office,
he took up pamphlet, and said he would read
over to me the rules of new Party-these were
not his precise words, but it something to
the same effect-he also said that he would like
me to become a member of the new Party-he
saidthat the Wings and Democrats were both go
ing into it. He then read over lot of stuff, to
which did not pay much attention. He told
me that / must object. when ever he read any
thing that | did not like. Af er he had read "a
WHILE he told me that must take an oath and
swear. I objected to that, and said was Dem
ocrat and wished to stick to that party, and that
I would not, and could not take any such OATH
The conversation then ended, and left the office.
This was about what occurred, at that time and
place. l did not see him write my name on any
list. / did not authorise him to write it, nor do
l know that he did so. I did never sign my
name to any Know-Nothing Lodge. I never au-
thorized any one to sign my name to any Know
Nothing odge. or Council and if my name has
ever been placed on Know-Nothing list, it was
done without my knowledge or consent. I never
was in a Known Nothing Lodge or Council, in my
life at least to my knowledge. 1 never belonged
to the party, known as the Known Nothing party,
and I never will. I never voted for a Know
Nothing, knowing him to be such. To all this
can be qualified, and am willing to be qualified,
if necessary. WILLIAM G. JOHNSTON.