Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-26
ANOTHER LETTER FROM Rev. J. CHAMBERS.
PHILApELpHIA, March 18th, 1856.


PHILADELPHIA, March 18th, 1856.
Richardson L. Wrighf, Esq, Speaker of
the House of Representatives-My Dear Sir
Your letter addressed to me through the col
umns of the Pennsylvania of to-day, receiy-
ed my respectful consideration, as l trust this
will secure yours. First, as to the caustic
biting part of it. ssI'inao ,erring potificiaR''-
ssbilings gate otorfety''-''moral desperado''
-ssuncharitablc ravings''-ssstatements which
have no foundation in truth" &c. Now, Mr..
Speaker, if you can afford to employ such ep-
ithets can afford to have them hea ped upon
me. They do not disturb my equanimity or
ruffle my temper in the slightest degree. 1t
is always unfortunate for man to fly into
passion, but it is peculiarly so when he is wri-
ting for the eye of the public and the scrutiny
of intelligent men. Any body can call hard
names. Our women in the fish market can
beat you all hollow in multiplying opprobri-
GUS epithets, so that no honor or capital can
be gained ON that score. You will Nh. Speak
er, please bear this in mind when you write
your next letter for the public papers. Keep
your temper at any cost. Don't be so anxious
to call hard names that you lose your self con-
troll. Secondly, let US look at one or two more
important matters. You say, ssI was con strain
ed by sense of duty, consistent friend of
Temperance, to advocate such measures as l
thought best calculated to remedy existing
evils,'' &c. oConsistent friends of Temper
ance 20 Let us see. You and your Demo
cratic colleagues, pending the election last
October proclaimed yourselves the s.eonsis-
tent friends of Temperance" If the dear
people would only elect you, you would give
them better law than the act to ssrestrain the
sale of intoxicating liquors." And what did
you do A bill was introduced to repeal,
uncondifionaliy, the act of last year. Messrs.
Morris and Dock objected to that, and insisted
that ssbill should be introduced to take the
place ofthat act before it was repealed And
what did you and your Democratic colleagues
do2 Voted for the unconditional repeal of the
act of last year, opening the flood gates of in
temperance and ruin upon the community.
Your names stand upon the record, and you
cannot gainsay it. Every one ofyou deserved,
| at the time, the indignant rebuke of an injur
| cd and insulted constituency.
But thanks to n. B. Browne and majority
ofthe Senate, the. fragrant wrongs of the House
were checked. A stringent license bill was in
| troduced and passed that body. When it was
| sent to the House for concurrence, what did
you then do {? You advocated those amend
mcnts which would have destroyed the vitali-
| ty and the beneficial effects of Mr.. Browne,
| bill, and would have made it a weak, inef-
ficient, wishy washy thing, almost worthless
| as to all practical purposes. This you did as a
sscoasistent friend Of Temperance 20 Do you
not think the Liquor League would give heap
of money to have just such ':frtends Of Temper
ance" sent every year to the Legislature?
twill not do, Mr. Speaker, to throw dust
| and try to hoodBink the people in this way.
l say it openly and publicly, that you and your
Democratic brethren from Philadelphia have
misrepresented the people, and abused the con-
fidence reposed in you. You are good repre-
sentatives of the Liquor League, and l COM
mend you all to their special regard. They
ought to take good care of you for you have
| been faithful to their interests. Do you say
this is a hard allegation Look your recor-
ded votes, and judge. 1t is no use to be meay
mouthed about this NATTER 1t is true, and ev-
| cry boGy knows it, that every Democratic
| member from this city in the House and the
Senate, excepting n. B. Browne, Esq, noble
| specimen of humanity,) have bowed down and
worshipped at the shrine of the Liquor League.
| want the PEOPLE distinctly to understand
that you left the Speakers chair and earnestly
advocated the granting of licenses to our res
taurants and eating houses, to sell ardent
| spirits. You and your Democratic colleagues
| from this city voted for this measure, while
| you and they know full well that in these pla-
ces, in consequence of the maddening effects
| of rum, vast amount of disorder, wranglng,
riot and fighting, is constantly occurring.
| ! ou and they know equally well, that vast
majority of the people of Philadelphia are
most decidedly opposed to granting licenses
to these places to sell alcoholic drinks. Why
did you do it To crafty the Liquor League
and the rummies7 That was the reason, and
| you cannot deny it. Let the Liquor League
take care Of you and your Democratic breth-
rem, for it is quite certain you have forfeited
the respect and confidence of sober, virtuous,
intelligent, temperate citizens. After all this
you speak of yourself in your letter as a soon
sistent friend of Temperament" Fudge, Mr..
Speaker, all fudge. We are not to be fooled
| in this way JOHN CHAMBERS.
/ DEATH OF DR.. BoND.-The venerable and
talented DR.. T. f. Bond, editor in chief of the
| Christian .Adrocate and Journal, the leading
paper of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and