Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-10-23
OUR DEFEAT ANDIT CAUSES.

The result OF the recent election in this
State has taken many by surprise, yet to re.
hecting men and sound statesmen there was
nothing perhnps very extraordinary. When
labor is abundant and well paid prosperity 10
always sure to follow, while the reverse is al
ways sure TO produce the opposite effect.
1t has been evident FOR years past that our
manufactures we're struggling 10 maintain
themselves under difficulties that must in the
end result in ruin and disaster if the general
governmeut to which they had right to look
Tor encouragement, did not protect them.
From the democratic party, they certainly
Had some reason TO expect it, inasnuch as
the great body of that party, was made up
from the lsboring population. But our pcliti.
Clans when they get TO Washington, soon for
get the necessities of the people ard in that
whirlpool of extravagaucs and dissipation
'give up to party what was meant for man.
kind" There are come, however, who haye
batted for the great interests Of Pennsylva-
MIA, from first to last, without regard to party
movement. Among these we may properly
mention the name OF Gen. Cameron, who has
always coutended for the interests Of the
manufacturers aud laborers of his native
State. Perhaps it may not be out OF place
to refer to his speech in the United States
Senate last session, on the presentation OF
some petitions for protection to the suffering
luborers of Pennsylvania. That speech was
truly prophetic and has been verified, almost
to the letter. We have only room for the
following extracts:
"The laboring men Of this country ore
powerful for good always. They do control
when they think proper. and think the time
is coming when they will control the politics
Of this country. l tell them that before they
can get proper protection, they must change
the majority in this Senate, they must change
the majority in the other House of Congress,
and. above all, they must change the occu-
pant Of the White House, who is the dispen-
ser Of the power which controls the legislation
Of this country. In place Of gentlemen who
sneer when we talk about protection, they
must send men here who know something of
the wants, something Of the interests, some
thing Of the usefulness Of the laboring men,
Hitherto they have not acted as if they cares
for their own interests; while they talked
about tariff which would guard their labor
from competition with tie pauper labor Of
Europe, they would go to the elections under
some ward leader and vote for men TO repre-.
sent them here and elsewhere who cared only
for party drill, and who had no interest above
party success. This system they must change
if they hope for success. ] think the labor
ing men Of Pennsylvania, at least, are now
beginning to put their own shoulder to the
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noise in next October as will alarm the gen
tlemen oil over the country who laugh at
them"
The opposition are now organized and sus-
tanned by men like Cen. Cameron who have
been schooled in the ranks OF the democratic
party, and these men, it may as well be said
were among the ablOst Of our party, because
they united to ability and capacity, indepen-
dence and an honest desire to promote the
interests OF the State and country. That
they should turn to account the blunders as
we'll as the follies Ito use a mild expression !
Of the general administration was both ma,
tural and proper.
There is, then, nothing very astonishing 10
the result of the late election. 1t is simply
an expression Of the people against the acts
of their own representatives and officers Of
the General Government, whose subservency
and fawning sycophancy has never been
equalled in this country and will render, even
the administration Of John Tyler, respectable,
by way Of comparison 1t is not saying too
much when we allege that the opposition IN
der the leadership Of a man Of the efficiency
and sagacity Of Gen. Cameron, will build up
| an organization that cannot fail to prove o
powerful competitor Of the democratic party
| for public favor. 1t behooves tho democracy,
! therefore, if success be desired in Gutnre con
tests, to see that the party is no further de-
moralzed by the powers that be, in their
utter disregard OF public sentiment and ol
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