Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-08-08
GENERAL PACKER DECLINES JUDGE Will
moT,s INVITATION TO THE "sTUMP."

GENERAL PACKER DECLINES JUDGE Will
MoT,s INVITATION TO THE "sTUMP"
GENERAL PACKER TO THE DEAocuArrc CENTRAL
coNaITTEH.
WfLL1AAsPoRT, July Is, 1857.
Hon. G. r. Buckalew, Chairman Of State
Committee Dear Sri have received the
enclosed letter from one of the opposing eau
ddates for-the Gubtrnatorial office, and mas.
much as it proposes plan for the conduct Of
the campaign which has never before been
practised in Pennsylvania. and as the success
Of other candidates, besides myself, is invol.
we'd in the election, have thought it my du-
ty to submit the communication to the judg-
ment of the State Committee representing
the Democratic party. II it is thought to be
a proper mode of conducting the canvass, |
shall cheerfully accede to the proposition.
Respectfully yours.
REPLY or THE CHAIRMAN OF TUE CENTRAL CON.
MITTYH.
PurLApELrHfA. July rs, 1851
Hon. VIM. +. Packer: Dear Sri have
laid before the State Committee the letter
signed u. Wimot, dated the l4th inse,, and
am authorized TO say TO you that in the opin-
ion of the Committee you ought not to accede
10 the proposition it contains. The reasons
for This opinion | will proceed to state.
The slavery question, which it is possible
your opponent proposes to discuss, has very
recently been thoroughly considered aud pas
sed upon by the people Of this CommonSealth
The late Presidential canvass involved the
whole subject so far as it was proper for con-
sideration by our people, aud We can perceive
no utility in its re.discussinn at this time
nor any other good reason for opening de bate
upon it. The position Of our party is well
understood, and requires vinsication, at
least by any extraordinary procet Ding Ike
that proposed.
A Joint canvass By candidates for the gu
bernatorial cfEco has never been conducted
in this State, nor, | believe, in any other nCr
thern one. and may we'll be questioned on
grounds of public policy IT the practice be
once adopted, it will doubtless continue, md
party nominations be uniformly made with
reference to it. No party will venture to Sc
lect candidate for this Office who is not quail
flied for the stump; and aptitude for debate
will hence become to be preferred to admins
trativebil.ty In short, the result will be to
confine nominations to the class Of takers.
and to exclude all others. A rule OF party
action which would prevent such men as
Benz. Franklin, Simon Snyder, and Francis
r. Skunk from filling the Executive chair Of
this State, must be bad one, and TO be de-
nonnced rather than adopted.
We believe there is u considerable public
opinion against the propriety of Executive
candidates appearing ut all before popular
meetings to solicit votes. This was first
practsed by VIM. L. johnson in l94s. and
has been to some exten! followed ny candl-
dates since. The good results Of it are not
obvious. 1t did not originate with the Demo
cratic party, nor has it ever received any for
NAL popular or party sanction. 1t may there
fore be considered an open question in future
practice, and at all events as forming no part
Of the duty of candidate imposed upon him
by bis nomination.
While your opponent holds the Office Of
President Judge, there is special objection
to the acceptance Of his project, The pro-
prety of law judges taking part in political
meetings is deried by our party, and is oppo
sed 10y sound public opnion. BY no act
whatever ought We to sanction or become
participants in prostitatiOn OF the Judicial
character. Nor will resignation now made
altogether remove this objection. Your op.
ronent has int, n;ioually held his Office until
within tm,e n ont OF the election, (renderiug
it mp. s,ihle to elect a successor tho present
year, and if resignation should n'~ take
place, it would obviously be with the lnten.
ton Of resnmiug the Office after the defeat for
the post TO which he aspircs.
The proposed mode Of conducting cam
rsigns may possibly be suited to some Of the
Southern aud Southwestern States, where
it has been practiced, and whose population
aud political condition differ from ours; but
is introduction here would be against solid
objections, and without any conceivable good.
Its, therefore, proposed Southern ag-
gresson" upon the practice and policy of par
ties in Pennsylvania, which cannot be at all
accepted or permitted.
1t is well that this question has arison when
We have candidate capable and fit for any
discussion before the people, aud when the
decision can be placed, without cmbarrass-
,nent, upon public grounds which control all
oft.
l am very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
G. r. Bucsalew, Chairman.