Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-03
VOL. 3.---N0. 16.


ration of that Compromise policy, which had
so often reconciled the North, preserved the
integrity and honor of the South, and diffused
the blessings of peace and concord over lhe
Union-a party which presented to the snnra-
res of the people, a candidate whose antecc-
dents were such as to make him an unexcep-
tionable umpire, to whom to refer the qnesfionS
of sectional agitation, which-through the a.
trocious viilainy of that reprobate arch-traitor
to political truth, honor and integrity-Doug-
las-apd the pusilanimity and mismanagemenf
of Pierce-had been made the prominent issue
in the contest-a party which, deprecatin2 the
commitment of the balance OF power IN our
elections to the foreign hands to whom 1T had
been consigned by the Democracy, called up
on the country to throw around the purity OF
the ballot box such safeguards as would secure
to . Just majority of the people at the polls
their rightful weight and influence in the gov
ernment of the nation.
Now what was the view, which every nero
..looker on in Vienna" which all, who were
not involved as agents for either party in the
contest, took of the plan Of the campaign p
Could any sane man have even dreamed that
either Fillmore or Fremont could be elected in
a bona fide triangular contest! Could any
reasonable idea be formed OF the contest other
than ,this-that Mr.. Fillmore was nominated
for the South, ard Mr.. Fremont for the North?
The South was not represented in the Repub-
lican Nominating Convention, and though
the platform was truly national, it was clear
that it would be maligned as sectional one.
1t was apparent that the great issue was the
question of the extension of slavery into the
Territories, that Americauism, though evident
ly approved by the Republicans, could not live
except as an ally in the North, and that the
contest was between the Douglas and Pierce
aspect of Calhoun Democracy, aided by for
eigu vote- and the Fremont Interpretation Of
Jacksonian Democracy, aided by the forces Of
the American organization and it was clear,
that properly united, and using their strength
judiciOusly against the former, the latter com.
bination would triumph, to the mutual advan-
| tagc of both interests, or that if the worst
came to the worst, the election would be re-
| turned to Congress, where the Buchanan party
would be utterly powerless. 1t is true that
| doubts and fears were felt and entertained by
the enthusiasts of the hour among US as to tho
i position the cause of Americanism would have
| occupied in case of Fremont's election; but
| let it have been what it might. its prospects
would have been sunshine compared with the
| dim twilight which now bewilders our view.
| But on the other hand, il the election had
been returned 10 Congress, the American par
ty, if in the minority, as it expected to be,
would still have a chance for the election of
Ill l., Il
| in its power to save the Vice Presidency from
Breckenridge. Surely the success of the op-
position could have been secured. and Ameri-
caniSm have lost less than it has, as the case
now stands.
In the field was Fillmore, who, whatever
might be his personal views and feelings, had
nevertheless, while in Office, succeeded in con-
ciliating all parties to the great issue. 1t is
| well known how he had voted in 1888. and af-
terwards during his whole congressional ca
reer, on matters connected with the celebrated
2lst rule, and il was not forgotten that he had
signed, when President, the Fugitive Slave
Law. only in obedience to the doctrines on the
subject of the veto power of the platform on
| which he had been elected. Straight Fillmore
men complain that the Republican party did
| not unite with the American on him. They
could have done so on Mr.. Fillmore's record,
and their principles would have found sup
porter in him, beyond all doubt. But it viii
be remembered that Mr.. Fillmore was nomina-
ted on an exclusive platform of Americanism,
and that the Nominating Convention had by
their action distinctly ignored the Free Soil
| sentiment, and reppdiated all interference with
| the question of slavery extension, and all re-
buke of the course pursued by Pierce, and had
| kept silent in regard to our foreign relations,
| and all the great questions ~f important do
mestic interest, such as the Pacific Railroad.
Mr.. Fillmore might readily have been endorsed
by the Republican party, but he had already
been killed in the house of his sponsors in po-
litical baptism. While as man and States
man placed at the bar of public opinion with
out platform. he could certainly have proven
himself the most acceptable OF candidates;
yet nominated on platform Of pure and ex-
elusive Americanism, he was beyond the reach
of chances even in the minds of 4 large mass
of American voters, who remembered that
when he had enjoyed the amplest opportuni-
ties he had essayed nothing for the good Of
the cause which had done so much for Taylor
and himself iu lS46. 1t is not to be wondered
at then that Fremont was nominated on plat
form which responded more fully to the feel
| ings of the North, and which, while it con-
tanned nothing Objectionable except to Dir
unonists of the Abolition class in the North,
and fire-eating conspirators Of the same char
acter in the South, was one which any one