Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-08-12
BROW. EpIroR AND PEoraIEroR.
,cLEARFIELD, Pa, AUG. Ia, 1851.


and Gen. Packer, relative TO canyassing the
State in company. Mr.. Packer seems to be
following, in one respect, Mr.. Buchanan, who
transmitted himself into the Cincinnati plat
form, for he lays aside his individual indepen-
6ence and places himself at the disposal of
.he Democratic State Committee. Whether
that Committee viii exercise as unrestricted
privileges towards Mr.. Packer committee
for lunatic or individual incapable of mana
ging his own affairs would towards the latter,
does not definitely appear but it would seem
that in declining to meet Mr.. Wilmot, Gen
eral Packer acted entirely in accordance with
the instructions contained in the letter ad-
dressed to him by the Committee. The prin-
cipal reasons given by the committee why Mr..
Packer should NOT accept Mr.. Wilmot's chal-
lenge, may be summed up follows:
1st. They fear Mr.. Wilmot viii discuss the
slavery, question, which they think was fully
enough discussed heretofore, and that their
position on it is well understood
I'd. They deem joint canvass unusual and
of doubtful policy, as it would, if once adopt
ed, induce parties to make nominations with
reference to the ability of man to speak.
in candidates for Governor appearing before
public meetings TO solicit votes.
4th. That while Mr.. Wilmot holds the Office
of President Judge, there is a special objec-
tion to the acceptance of the proposition; that
the propriety OF law w.judges taking part in po-
litical meetings is denied by our party, and is
opposed by sound public opinion.
5th. "The proposed mode Of conducting the
campaigns may possibly be suited to some of
the southern and southwestern States, where
it has been practioed, and whose population
and political conditions differ from ours; but
its Introduction here would be against solid
objections, and without any conceivable good.
1t is, therefore, proposed southern aggres-
SION upon the practice and policy of parties
in Pennsylvania, which cannot be at all ac-
cepted or permitted
This is all mere twattle and fol-de-rol, and
the committee, we think, ought to have been
more considerate than to cast reflections upon
the practice of their southern snigger-drving'
friends, in the fifth count.
The 4th, or especial objection urged, has
been removed by Mr.. Wilmet resigning his
position as Judge. We should think that the
condemnation expressed by the committee a.
gainst Judges taking part in political meet
ings," must be peculiarly complimentary and
fattering to such Judges as addressed Demo
cratic meetings last fall.
The Sd objection isaIso a virtual condemna-
ton of Senator Bigler, who travelled the State
and made speeches, if we reccllect right, both
times he was candidate for Governor.
. anfIra Latter nf tLa ropar,i+taa boxa,-
er, We regard as mere maDeuyre on the part
of Gen. Packer to hide his retreat from a con-
test which he breads AS contemporary re-
marks. the fair and fearless examination of the
principles and policy of The two prominent
parties in the State, by their respective csnd-
dates, is movement calculated to give the
public mind a proper understanding of the
questions upon which the people would be
called toyote, and to lead to a Just discrimi-
nation between the merits of both platforms.
Mr.. Packer is doubtless fearful of the result.
knowing that if intelligence and unbiased,
honest conviction be allowed untrammeled ex-
ercise in considering the issues of the day, it
would induce thousands TO leave his party
When it was first announced that challenge
had been sent to their candidate, the Demo-
cratic papers denied that it had, and so conf
dent were they that it would not be sent, that
they unqualified asserted, that Immediately
upon his nomination Gen. Packer caused it to
be announced through Lis friends that he was
ready to meet his competitor, whoever he
might l'a, before the people that he would
promptly accept challenge. The challenge
was sent. and the raIiaRt standard-bearer of
the Democracy has-backse@ outl The attempt
TO now cast the responsibility upon the Dem
ocratic State Committee viii fail TO deceive
the people, who see through the trick to eyade
a fair and candid challenge. Meanwhile, Mr.
WiImot viii go before the people, and explain
fully the principles involved in the CANVASS
principles which General Packer dare not dis
cuss with him. .---r.l
The Canal Department of the Pennsylvania