Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-02-19
MINERAL FONT:
ea-The Milwaukee Free Democrat, copies

a-The Milwaukee Free Democrat, copie,
our notice Of the rumor that its editor had been
bought BY the Barstow party, it says, :. As {
specimen Of the manner in which Republican
presses endoayor TO manufacture political capi-
tai against him. and asks the Tribune TO sPeci-
fy what service-if it knows OF any--he rem
dered the Hunker party during the late cam
paign =
We have no particular desire TO enter upon Q
discussion of by-gones with Mr. BooTH, nor has
it been our intention 10 manufacture political
capital against him = but as the above request
is simple enc and easily complied With, we
will endeayor TO give an answer c have no
doubt we speak the sentiment OF nlne-tenthS q
the Republicans # Iowa county, when we say
we believe that but for Mr. Booths course be-
fore, at and after the Republican State Conyen-
tion the entire Republican ticket would have
been elected BY several thousand majority, and
Mr.. BAsuFoaD by 1t least ten thousand. We
are sure that such would have been the dltier-
ence if other parts Ct the State Were influenced
in the same manner Is this
The now-Nothing question was made Tie
great hobby by the Barstow presses and papers
throughout the campaign. Mr. Booth, Gas We
believed for the purpose Of iniuring IS much
rs possible, the prospects Of the man lie thought
would be his successful competitor for the nonii-
nation, proclaimed Mr. BAsHFoED the candidate
Of the Know \ othing party, beth in public and
through the columns Of lis paper. He stated
farther, that he believed it the intention ii that
organization to control the Republican State
Convention and claimed to have the means Of
knoJisg their secrets so far IS related to their
choice for Governor. All these statements APP
peared in the free Denaocr0t, and were the chief
texts of all the Barstow speeches throughout the
State, as well as for editorials in the Bar,tow
papers, which were suffered to pass, by the
editor of the Free Democrat with little or no
notice.
Speeches were made in this place by Barstow
men from Madison Milwaukee, Racine, kcnosha,
and other places, all of whom were provided
with scrap-lsoks, well filed with editorials
from the Free Democrat; and we believe, and
have heard Demecrats express the same opinion,
that that paper did better service for Mr. Bar
stow than il could have done had it come out
openly in his support. We could mention scores
Of individuals [Republicans) who wished TO vote
for Mr.. Bashfird, but were frightened by the
Know Nothing cry against that gentleman, and
their inyarisble grounds Of fear We're traced 10
the Free Democrat Some oi these voted for
Barstow, While the larger number did not vote
at all
We attended the State Convention rs wei as
Mr. Booth, and (tLough we do not profess 70 be
as sagaeious Judge Of men and things as be is
We must say we saw disposition on tie part
Of any organization other than The Republican
party, to control The Convention, and indeed
Mr. Booth himself expressed the most entire
satisfaction with the action Of that body ufon
the Know Melting question, as well as with 3lr.
Ba-hfords position on thai subject. And We; lie
suffered Mr. Bashford's enemies to use tic club
he had put in their hands 10 effect his defeat
without taking the least pains - render il pow
erless. If ii this lie did not '.render service 10
tie Hunker party during the late campaign" in
what way, We ask, could he have done It?
We do not say that it was Mr. Booths design
TO defeat the Republican party. or even to de
feat Ar. Bashford, after lie was nominated but
that the result Of tie election was, IN great
measure, owing to his course, is believed lv {.
very large number, Of both political parties, ia
this section, at least.
Ii we have not correctly stated Nr. Bootl's
course, it is not from desire 10 misrcpresenf
him, or to manufacture political capital against
him. We have stated what We believe to he
correct, and from i ve draw the conclusion that
he rendered more service TO AIr. Barstow and
his party than any other paper in the State.
To 4 reader Of the Fro Democrat, beth before
and since the election. the evidences are not
wanting that the svmpathies Of It's editor are
al On the side Of Mr. Barstcw and aeaiust Mr.
Bashford. We DO not believe that tins arises
from harmony Of political sentiment between
Dir. Booth aud tie former gentleman, hut SIM
ply from the fact that Mr.. Bashford was tie man
whom q large majority Of The Republican part
preferred before himself as a candidate for Gov
ernor. and towards whom, for that reason. Ie
has INDUCED childish antiratby, quite uubc-
coming gentleman occupying the position L.
does before the pablo.
These are car views. frankly expressed viii
out desire TO elicit controversy with Mr. Booth
but simply to answer his inquiry, and give hin
II understand in what light his course is viewed
b. men Of al parties in this portion Of tie STATE
Is IT So ?-The Fdi.er Of the Tlatteytli,
american hes been informed BY what he cen
siders good authority, that the Supplementary
returns, from the various Clerks, although pur.