Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-23


tho restoration of the Missouri Compromise.
| was then, as l am now unequivocally oppos-
ed to its restoration. L do not design now
to yindcate that position-Simply to state it.
Was it expected that 7 should abandon my
sincere convictions of the truth Of the p7inci-
pies of that party which has uniformly had my
cordial support; and which in their applica-
ton, have been productive of blessings so in
estimable, to not only our own land, but to
humanity itself? If so, should the response
bility be laid at my door, for so rtoIent a pre-
sumption! Am justly chargable with the
folly Of them who entertained it? The follow
extract from the Ciearfield RePubiican, Will
perhaps settle the matter
sIIoS. DAVID BARCLAY.-This gentleman
has been among the most active Of the rs De-
mocrats III tlle present Congress in sustaining
the nafiona of ON party, in the effort to or
ganize MI Hlluse, lie was in attendance at
the r BY the Memorials, and rcnd-
e s 4 Il: |'''s5 $i' f. =
On the f9flf ~ 10 5sssaie remarks which
fell from Mr. Camp s2n shuylkll, he felt
it to be his duty to desnc Its position, and
which he did in the following highly satisfic
tory manner.
We might here state for the satisfaction of
Mr.. Campbell, that Mr.. BIS representations OF
the canvass in which he was elected, are cor
| rect. The writer of this was a member Of the
Convention by which Mr.. Barclay was nomina-
ted as the Democratic candidate, and he feels
confident that no man could have been noni-
| mated by that body who was disposed either
to resist the Kansas and Nebraska bill, or to
favor the restoration of the Missouri comIro-
mise; nor could such a candidate have been
elected in this district
will only remark in addition TO what has
already been said, that if you should have
fia laa
with apparent confidence, by taking the troub
lie to turn to the number published the third
week in October, 1851, yoa Will readily dis
cover what the editor al tina! lime thought of
my anti-N eGraska sentiments. It may per-
haps, weaken your faith in the more recent
statements of that journal.
viii also beg leave to remark that 10 paper
in my district advocated my election the
ground Of my being fGgOrabts 70 the rs-estabIish-
nIeRt Of fte Nissostri Compromise, so far aI my
knowledge extends. Yours, &C.,
DAVID BARCLAY.
ssThis is mere evasion. 1t has never been
! charged in this paper, or any other, that Mr.
Barclay ever pledged himself to yotesfor res
toration of the Missouri Compromise. 1t is 4
matter of little consequence, in the present
state of the controversy, whether he is bound
by such pledge or not. The allegation
against him, is that he WAS elected as an anti
Nebraska man, under confidence induced by
| himself that, he was hostile to the policy Of
the Nebraska bill, and that he is now setting
that confidence at naught. Why does he not
meet this allegation manfully? -? The proof
| that he made anti-N ebrasIsa professions, and
gave at least verbal anti-N ebraska pledges has
been proven Icy US, and is clear and conyin-
cjr II hut
anti-Nebraska constituents thought or said
against him while he was candidate the fact
still remains unquestioned and unquestionabe
that he palmed himself off on an unsuspect-
ing people as one worthy of a confidence
which he is now betraying. He admits, in
| this very letter we now publish, that he was
in the canvass which resulted in his election,
'Fopposed to the legislation of the last session
| OF Congress touching the Kansas-N ebraska
act,'' and yet went into the democratic cau-
Gus, at the commencement of the present scs-
sion, aud voted for a resolution endorsing and
approving that very legislation; and not only
| so, but has since steadily voted for a candi-
| date for Speaker who was made such because
| Of his services in the last Congress in procu-
ring that legislation. Mr.. Barclay, himself
being judge, lie Las abandoned, on the very
first opportunity, the position he took before
his election. To skulk from the responsible
ty thus voluntarily assumed, is but to add to
the disgrace of the treachory.
As to the courtesy due by tho press to such
a man, we have only to say that we have treat.
ed him with all the Difference due to him.
He chose to make himself the vehicle of the
lowest slang, directed against portion of
those who had put their trust in him. as well as
| against the anti-Nebraska sentiment of the
country; and if he finds himself roughly han
died in consequence, he has no right to com
plain.''
We are requested by Mr.. SwooPE, the form
er editor of this paper, to assure the editor of
the Gazette, and all others interested, that he
| is prepared, at any time, to substantiate eve
ry assertion he made in the columns of the
Joarnal with reference to Mr.. Barclay, by in
contestible evidence. 1t is well understood
in this community, and is not denied even by
the Democratic leaders themselves. that Mr..
Barclay, during his canvass, and at the time of
his election, was member of the American
Order, and we have been assured by those
who were present in the Office of Mr.. Swoope.
at the time, that he not only protested that he
would support the candidates and principles Of
the American party, but that he was thorough
iy Anti-N ebraska, and in favor of the restora-
ton of the Missouri Compromise. we have
nothing to do with the controversy, not bav-
ing resided in the District at the time, but we
deem it nothing more than justice to those
concerned to make this statement.