Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-07
Republicans of Bradford Co.!

This being the last Issue of the Reporter
previous to the election, we are again con-
strained to address you upon the Importance
of the pending election; and earnestly to urge
upon yourself, your friends and neighbors ac-
tivity for the few days that remain for action,
in the work of bringing out full poll of the
Republican vote of your neighborhood and
township.
The contest, in this great Central State of
the Republic, is of transcendant interest in its
bearings upon the struggle in which We are in
volVed, for the preservation of our liberties,
against the Slave Oligarchy of the South
When We consider that the result will largely
Influence public opinion, and the condition of
parties throughout the Union, we surely can
not over estimate its Importance.
This is the first general election in PennsyI
vana since the full developement of the pro-sla-
very policy of Mr. Buchonans Administration
since the open abandonment of the doctrines
and pledges put forth in his Inaugural Ad-
dress-since the base conspiracy, developed
and almost consummated in the late Congress,
to force pro-slavery constitution upon the
people of Kansas, by seductions and brbes the
most shameful, and the most unscrupulous and
corrupt use of the public treasure. The whole
country awaits the verdict of Pennsylvania on
the policy and acts of this Administration with
intense anxiety and interest. Shall the voice
of this great State be heard in approval, or in
condemnation Of the now open and undisguised
policy of the National Administration, to cx-
tend slavery by violence and fraud over all the
now promulgated, do not stop with carrying
slavery into all our vast Territories, bnt would
establish Slavery under constitutional guaran-
tees in the Free States Of the Union. These
new Constitutional dogmas, if sustained by the
people at the ballot-b box, will become the es-
tablshed constitutional law of the land. We
appeal to you as Freemen, charged with the
sacred trust of guarding your own and the pub
| lie libertes-as men into whose hands are
committed the interests and hopes of humanity
to awaken to proper estimate of your duties
and responsibilities, and to a vigilant and faith
| full discharge of them.
Parties are already marshalling for the Pres,
idental contest before US, when decisive and
it may be final battle, will be fought between
Freedom and Slavery fer the mastery in this
Government. The position and strength of the
respective parties are closely scanned-every
note of preparation, and every indication of
public feeling, watched with an anxiety, COM
mensurate with the mighty interests involved
in the struggle. The next Presidential election
will in truth be decided in advance. by the
moral and political forces displayed in the
movements and elections, that precede the di-
rect vote. Pennsylvania is now to indicate her
position in the great conflict of 1860. She is
soon to pronounce to the country the Judgment
of her people, either in support or in reproba-
ton of the usurpatons and outrages against
liberty and law, Of the Slave Ogarchy, now
firmly entrenched in all the high places of in
fuenee aud power.
Republicans of Bradford will you falter in
such an hour You occupy proud position
in the ranks of the army of Freedom. The
| first thunder Of the battle, was heard upon your
hills, and in your valleys. You have hitherto
borne yourselves with constancy and firm
ness, that commands the admiration of the
Country. When the history ofthese times
shall be written, your early and noble efforts
in the cause of Freedom shall gil one of it's
brightest pages. Let it not be recorded that
you faltered in the hour of greatest need-that
in the very crisis Of the battle, You marched to
the field with weakened forces and impaired
strength. Asg a.. 80 a sH
The party of Slavery, that installed the pres
ent administration in power, is now broken and
divided throughout the North The attempt
to force upon Kansas the Lecompton Constitu
ton, provoked formidable and determined
opposition in the ranks of the Administration