Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-09-17
JOHN L. EDIE.

nomination, he had been known as an ultra /
Whig; as pious and devout worshipper at the |,
political altar where Clay and HeJster during |
their lives, lnnstered the great high priests.
About that time, Know -Nothihgism began to de-
veloIe itself, not only in this District but also in
other portions Of the State; but so secret and hid
den were its tactics, that it almost impossi-
ble to fasten upon its followers the sin of mem
bership- Although EIDE was strongly suspected
Of being member of the order his explicit de-
denial Of the imputation in private conversation,
secured for him, not only the support Of his old
political associates, but also the votes Of large
number Of Democrats, for the reason that the lat
ter regarded the election of his opponent as utter
ly hopeless, and because they were appealed TO
by his personal friends to vote for him-as mat
ter of course, under these circumstances, he was
elected by large majority.
During the following winter, we think in jan
uary or February 1865, a Know-Nothing meet
ing was held in the Court House in Somerset. 1t
was addressed by Leuis C. Lerins, of Philadel pha,
one Of the most rampant and scurrillous Know
Nothings in the State-at that meeting John II.
Elie was chairman Of the committee on resolu-
tions and in that capacity, introduced series of
resolves, asserting the right of Americans to rule
America; expressing holy horror at the dangers
Of foreign influence ard recommending as a RENE
dy, radical change in the naturalization laws.
This was his first public demonstration in favor of
Know y Nothingisn1. and in this region it produced
towards him feeling Of the most sovereign
tempt. on the part Of those gentlemen, whom he
had so bascly and wfully deceived. 1t was the
first time they discovered, that to Ie part and
parcel Of the sworn obligation Of know-Noth-
ing. From that time, up to the present day, he
has been among the most active and prominent
members Of the order; he has atter.,ied all tie
Know Nothing State Councils and so jealous has
he been and SO distinguished iple has he be
come, that one portion Of the State Council is ia
miliarly known as .'ths Edie brdncs.'' This fact
alone, is sufficient to secure for his name lasting
immortality. Such is his political record, briefly
stated. so far AS his Know Nothngism is concern
ed. With what face can he appeal to old line
Wings. and naturalized voters to sustain him?
He basely deserted the former in tie hour Of their
trial. hypocrtieally protesting to te their friend;
by all his foul and llasphemops mil night oaths,
he is forcsworn to opprcss and persecutc the lat
ter. He cannot plead that Nothingism is
politically dead and buried; that it is numbered
among the things that were IL 60 far forgets
his allegiance to the constitution Of tho country
and far attempted toprostituts his political in
fiucrcc 10 base and ignoble Iurpc ses, as to G.
come member Of the midnight conclave and by
his acts he shall be judged.
I What has been his course In Congrcss2 What
has he ever done that the people. whom he has
insultod and betrayed, should stultify themselves
| by -eleeting him? He voted for Nathaniel p.
! Banks for Speaker of the House of Rep escnta-
! tives, knowing that Banks had declared that he
was in favor of Letting the onion slide" That
vote is ft commentary on John r. Elie, pa
triotism. In harmony with his Know Nothing
brethren and Black Republican allies, he has
shouted most vocferously for 'frec ha7sas,'' for
! free speech" and for '.tiee men" He has shed
! crocodile tears as freely as Tom Ford over poor
! "bleeding Kansas'' and has pitiously lamented
| over her future destiny; and yet, when the Sem
ate of the United States, two months before the
! adjournment Of Congress. passed bill for the
pacihcaton Of Kansas, which John p. Hale de
clarcd on the floor of the Senate unerceptton-
able, this same John X. Edie, refused to vote for
leave the frontier settlers to the tender mercies OF
the savage; but Gid he want peace in Kansas-no
not until after the Presidential Election. De-
prive him of bis stereotype appeal for Kansas and
the opportunity which it affords him and his
Black Republican associates, of denouncng South
ern men and Southern Institutions and appealing
10 the sympathies and prejudices Of the North
and their occupation, Ike Othello's is gone. By
his vote on the army bill, he is equally RESPONSE
bic with GiddnSs g. Co. for the present troubles
in Kansas: because when that vote WAS given
there comparative peace in that territory; bu
the moment the result was known, and the presi
dent was thus rendered powerless by destroying
the efficiency of the army, the Telegraph wire
were set to work, and Lane with his deluded FOL
lowers, invaded the country and the work of civi
war and bloodshed again commenced This wa
the commencement of the present Kansas Difficult
ties. The Democrats, both in the Senate am
House Of Representatives, desired peace and ia
bored arduously to accomplish it; but they wcr
in minority and therefore powerless. On Ed,
and his co-laborers, constituting the majority
rests the fearful responsibility. If an angel wer
to prepare a bill, for the settlement of the Kan
sas troubles. we do rot believe it would have r,
, ceiycd the vote of single Black Republiea
member of Congress, for the reason that if thu
question was settled before the Presidential Ele,
ton, Fremont and his friends would be complet
. ly shorn Of all their boasted political strengtl
, their only plank would be completely knocke
from beneath them.
What i: John R. Eslie's position on the Pres
4 L.