Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-07-22
cLEARfiELD. Pa. July %, 1857
ISM TIC

What q ,Uordt will most likely be the excla-
nation of nearly every one whose eyes may
happen to fall upon the heading of this article.
What word say we also, for we believe no
photographer has yet introduced ii into his
vocabulary; but that is no reason why it should
not be placed among the seventy or eighty
thousand words now used in the English lam
guage. There are SO many new-fangled ideas
and schemes generated in this age which are
designated isms, that it is hardly possible to
keep pace with them. At various periods, we
have had Toryism and Federalism. Radicalism
and Conservatism, AbofitionIsm and Niger
ism Americanism and Locofocoism, Fourier
ism, Spiritualism, Bloomerism, Free-loveism,
Mormonism, and hundred and one others that
might be named. Why not then use the word
we have manufactured, when speaking of, or
concerning any, or all of them.
Bipedal asininity prevails to some extent in
the world, it is said certain it is at least, that
there are individuals who speak of some sisn'
or other in the most derogatory manner, with
ont comprehending the meaning of the term,
or its applicability to the ideas prCpagated or
the position assumed by their advocates. They
make no efforts TO inform themselves by read
ing understandingly, but merely reiterate the
slang epithets and balderdash that have been
used instead of argument against principle,
by bigoted and prejudiced sectarianists or un-
scrupulous and knavish partisans, who are
less apt to suffer from a superabundance of
brains than from inordinatc egotism-
Common respect should induce every one to
allow who is the protector or promulga-
tor of policy or principle, to explain and de-
fine what that principle or policy is. This is,
however, not always the case +; least Of all, is
1t the practice of a certain class of Yenal scoun-
drels who manage to place themselves at the
head of political clique, in order to make
money out Of it by attempting to sell the par
ty to which they pretend to belong to the en-
eny. These political Benedict Arnolds, are
constantly cndeavoring to ''put words into the
mouths of others.'' For example, we frequent
ly hear some of these gentry assert that the
American-Republicans are sabolitionists,' &c,
and this cry is Immediately taken up by the
wiseacres alluded to in the preceding para
graph. We are not aware what meaning they
attach to the word .saboIitionist" but one OF
two things is certain. they either do not com
preAeuG us SlgnlUcation, OF. tney assert wfat
they know is untrue-wilfully abear false wit
ness against their neighbOr''-for every intel
ligent and well-informed man must know thai
We do nat advocate the abolition of slavery il
the States, bat that We oppose its extension int
the Territories, That is the whole of it-ant
that is the position David Wilmot occupies OF
the slavery question. That, too, We believe
Is the position Of a large majority OF the peo
pie of Pennsylvania, no matter what party the!
adhere to, and that is one reason why the!
should give their support to man who ma,
truly be said TO be the embodiment of thi
principle. $50 mote IT be-"