Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-01-28
George N. Smith and his Slandersss

cratic members of the Legislature from Wes-
tern Pennsylvania, refused to participate in
the caucus, by which John w. Forney was
nominated as candidate for United States
Senator. In certain quarters of the State,
their conduct has been denounced as an overt
act of political treason, and by few self con-
stituted judges, they have been formally ex
communicated from the Democratic Church.
Foremost in this work of political defamation,
was the " Keystone Club" Of Philadelphia.
On the occasion referred to, the deliberations
of this Jacobinical conclave, were presided
over by its President, William B. Rankin,
who as early as 1850, at the Williamsport
Democratic State Convention, earned for him
self an Immortality of infamy. II the notori-
ously bad political reputation of the head and
front of this association, is any indication of
the political standing of his associates who
took part in the meeting, no respectable dem
ocrat can be materially injured by its false
and malicious denunciations. Like all similar
organizations, which have sprung into exist
ence in Philadelphia and other large cities
on the eve of Presidential election, it is COM
posed principally of men, who however res
pectable they may be, are nevertheless NOR
bidly afflicted with wild hunt after Office -
men who are either in office, or who being out,
daily hunger and thirst after the flesh pots of
Egypt. The meanest and lowest ward politi-
clans, such as William B. Rankin, enlist un-
der its piratical banner, and proclaim war
pf ofio
refuses to become its subservient tool, or who
rebels against its imperial DEGREES This
Club of the Mountain" welded to but one
interest intent upon but one object public
pluuder, has in the supposed supremacy of its
power, undertaken to hurl its anathemas
against some of the mos. pure and high mind
cd democrats in the State. In the phrensy Of
its malice, it has formally arraigned George
n. Smith, and the other friends of Henry D.
Foster, who acted with him, at the bar of pub
lie opinion, and has impudently pronounced
them, one and all, band Of political traitors,
even more to be daspised than Manear, Lebo
and Wagonseller, who disgraced themselves,
and dishonored and betrayed their too conf
ding constituents. From this dictatcrial de-
cree of William B. Rankin and his co-labor-
ers, we appeal to the calm and dispassionate
judgment of the democracy of the entire State,
and especially to the democracy of the West.
The poisoned shaft, which they aimed at the
breasts of Henry d. Foster and those who
supported him, will fall short of its intended
victims, and will be hurled back with fatal eff
feet against those who held the bow We re-
feet the feelings ofthe democracy of Cambria,
when we say, that in view of Mr. Buchanan's
letter to Henry S. Mott, if George N. Smith,
had entered the caucus, which neither
more nor less than political GO Slaughter
House." he would have misrepreserted their
convictions of duty, and would have surrender
ed every feeling of manly, legislative inde-
pendcnce. He and his colleagues, sternly
refused to bend their knees at the footstool OF
power; neither the prospective spoils of Office,
lavishly promised, could bribe them; nor could
the insolent threats of hordcs of mercenary
Custom House officials awe or intimidate them
from an infexible discharge of a high and re,
spopsible duty.
For this bold and fearless discharge of the
trust confded 10 them, they will be honorably
remembered. when that fungus on the demo
cratic body polite. shall have been removed
and when the very name Of its distinguished
President. William B. Rankin, will stink u
4he postrils of the community.
Following close in the footsteps of the
Keystone Club" but far surprising it in
yillainous abuse of George N Smith and his
associates, is that political Thug, George W.
Bowman, the pure and iimnaoculote editor oi
the Bedford Gazette. For two successive
weeks this sheet has disgraccd It's columns, BY
the most vile and infamous attacks upon GU,
Representative. All manner of calumny and
abuse has been heaped upon him, by this would
be censor of political morals, and he has becr
held up TO the democracy of the State, and es
pecially of this district, as deserving to b
pointed at with the finger of scorn and con
tempt His attacks arc as malignant as they
arc unfoznded, and in this county they hay,
been received with one universal outbreak o
Indignation. They are eminently character
istic of their author, and like similar assault
made upon other good and pure men, the,
will most signally fail in accomplishing thei
malevolent purpose. In Cambria County
where George n Smith is known, Bowman
malice can do him no sort of harm. If h
were to pile his scurrilous attacks against hin