Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-10-06
GILLIS AT HOME.


The Ledger, the Democratic paper in War
rep, publishes letter from ga lifelong Dem
ocrat, one who always stands up for principle,
whatever the sacrifce,'' dated Ridgway, Sept.
9TH, 1858, from which we take the following
ssThe question is now fairly before the peo-
pie of this Congressional district. sShall the
Lecompton policy of the Administration be
endorsed shall all the yillainies enacted by
Congress at its last session relative to Kansas
be sustained by the people2' If We send back
the same tools 10 Congress for Mr.. Buchanan
to use, what assurance have we that he will not
commit some grosser wrong, even than that
inflicted upon the unoffending citizens OF Kan
sas last Winter? If We do so, the Admins
trafion can say, and with truth, that its course
is sustained; and if it is upheld in this iniqni-
ty it will be fair to presume that the Chief Ma
gistrate cannot prostitute his Office so low that
he will not be st stained by the people. We
have now before us for approval or rejection,
as the Lecompton candidate tor Congress, j..
L. GILLIs. who was carried into Office in 1856
on the principle of Popular Sovereignty
that carried Mr.. Buchanan into the Presiden-
tial chair. Mr.. Gilis made the strongest pro-
fessons of attachment TO this principle while
before the people asking for their votes: but
no sooner had he got snugly in his seat than
he commenced voting against the principle
that placed him there, and he continued 10
vote in direct opposition TO the wishes OF his
constituents to the end. This man is now again
asking our votes :--he is using every effort 10
secure his reelection. To this end he is again
making pledges to the people, only to be again
violated should he succeed. To effect this end
the Administration is prostitnting its immense
patronage, and money is TO he poured out like
water. The iilustrious Bigler. although .swin-
cling under Southern thunder and at this
time ga little weak al the knees' is engaged
I n
gushings of-oaaon seeds The heavens and
earth to be moved 20 save his carcass from
political destruction-but all to no purpose
he is 4 doomed man. Gillis has no strength
with the pcope-he only relies upon the ma
chinery of party to save him. That claim has
he upon partyl If habitual bolter of party
nominations has claims upon the party, then
he has, but not otherwise. He never yet yicl
ded hearty support to Congressional nom
inee of the party but has always, with one
exception, either bOlted outright, or given the
nominee the s.cold shoulder" In 1856 he ggre
the nominee his hedrfy support, but defy any
man to point TO another instance OF similar de-
yotion 10 his country. lie has nothing TO lean
upon in this contest but the arm of govern
ment. He has no claim upon the people. nor
the party. He will find terrible falling OF in
this county, which will unite with the balance
/ of the district to roll up a majority against
! him.
ssOn the other hand. the RepubllclnS have
nominated Chaplin Hall, Esq, of your town as
| candidate. With this nomination. under or
! dinary circumstance the true Democracy would
| have little to do but in this instance as we
have no candidate of our own in the field, it is
| well to examine his antecedents, and thus
| judge whether lie would not be preferable TO
the LecOmpton man. and of two evils choose
the least. Mr.. Hall is man who unlike his
opponent, has not been living all his life for
public office bet now aDDcars for the first time
before the public. He is emphatically one of
| the people, and dnring a long and successful
! business career, has acquired reputation for
/ integrity and financial sagacity, of which he
may well feel proud-he is an energetic until
| ring man, and has reached the position which
/ he now occupies without the aid of friends or
! fortune, but by his own indomitable energy
After stating that Mr.. Hall voted against
| Buchanan because he had no faith in his pied
ges and urging that Mr.. Halls native energy
| is sure guaranty that his pledges will bc re-
deemed. The writer continues:
"Aside from this, it will have salutary in
| fluence upon the Democratic party, as well as
lesson for all time TO come, to those in pow
er, that they must not desert the principles upon.
,rhich they are elected, aud command fhe people
| TO foiioW them. The anti-Lecompton forces OF
| this county will rally around the standard OF
| Popular Sovereignty under the lead OF Mr..
| Hall, in manner that will astonsh the min
ions of power, and teach them to respect the
I boiters-