Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-03
CLEARFIELD, PA, DEC. 3, 1856.

UThere are sene facts connected with the
late Presidential contest, and the attitude Of
the forces opposed to Locofocoism, in Penn
sylvania, which it may not be inappropriate to
allude TO ncS, when all can consider them with
fair degree Of placitude. In the latter part
of the campaign, as viii be remembered, the
impression was attempted to be created that
Mr.. Fillmore was the only available candidate
against Buchanan-that the former would car
rya majority of the Southern States-that y.
Jersey, New YORK, and other northern States
were certain for him-and that Fremont did
not stand the ghost of a chance. Whether
these declarations were the offspring Of honest
opinions, or whether the persons who made
them were actuated by individual interest or
sinister motives, are problems which We do
not now propose 10 solves all we have TO say
on that point is. that it was regarded as strange
that Locofocos should use the same arguments.
The result of the election shows how egregi-
ously the individuals who made such repre- sen
tatious were mistaken, to say nothing harsher,
notwithstanding some were induced by them
10 vote differently from what they would have
voted, had they not believed Mr. Fillmore TO
be the stronger opposition candidate. For our
own part, We felt satisfied, from the turn affairs
had taken. that he could not secure the cleo
toral votes Of more than two or three States at
the outside. In arriving at such conclusion,
We did not assume that we possessed any IN
usual political foresight-we only argued from
cause 10 effect. The Democracy had forced
the slavery question upon rs in q way that it
Philadelphia American platform did not ex-
press the views of a large majority Of the par
ty at the North on this particular subject
hence hundreds and thousands sought a stand
ard which represented those views, and par
ty whose members entertained similar views
in regard to the evil tendencies of Roman Ca
tholic and Foreign influences being exercised
in our governmental affairs. The strength Of
the anti-slavery extension element had been
largely miscalculated by those who thought
that Col. Fremont stood ssno chance" They
doubtless can scarcely realise that he has car
ried more than one-third of all the States
that in Pennsylvania his vote exceeds that OF
Fillmore 65 600, and that in our own county
ne has received more than half the opposition
vote polIed and yet such is the case. From
these facts, we wish to argue that politicians
are not always TO be relied on in their calcu-
lations-that tricksters cannot always have
matters their own-and that the People can
not be driven hither and thither at Will. The
result in this State teaches that union and har-
mony are essential to success, and that parties
should never permit trivial points of difference
to divide their forces. a small diversion il
our ranks elected James Buchanan. Now
under the circumstances, what is the plain and
obvious duty of every sincere and honest op
ponent of the Locofoco party Is it to keei
up division? Or is it to adjust differences
as wisdom dictates Every one can readily
answer these questions for himself. The a
mericans and Republicans, If we understand
their positions correctly, are respectively op
posed to Political Romanism and slavery ex
tension. Whatever trivial barriers separate
them should therefore be at once removed, al
the forces formed into one organization, anC
then made TO move, in the Gen. Jackson style
like ssa unit.'' Steps with this object in view
have already been taken in some sections o
the State; and prominent Americans in Phil
adeIphia arc now urging it. The truth is tha
this feeling is manifesting itself everywhere
and, not to be chary about words, nearly Al
the objections we hear made to an adjustment
come from a set of fellows who, if they are no
acting the part of knaves, are acting the par
of fools. We trust, however, that no one vii
permit evil counsels to bias his opinions; bu
that all will give the matter their serious con
sideration. We may have more to say on thi
subject hereafter.