Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-02-08
Jones Webster,
Hickman and his ApOIOgtst.

Hickman and his ApOlOgtst.
We would we think, be rendering ourself
amenable to the charge of being the most un- {
grateful of mankind, did we fail in noticing
this week, the lengthy editorial article
devoted to our benefit, which appeared in the
last number of the .nountaineer. We are
grateful to our neighbor for the trouble and
pains he has taken to convince us that John
Hickman is not Black Republican and
traitor to the Democratic Party. But we are
sorry to inform him, that after perusing his |
article carefully, we still regard Hickman as
renegade. traitcr and hypocrit. and we will
endeayor briefly to state the reasons why we
60 regsrd him. Our neighbor says THAT up
to the time of the last Congressional election,
bis (Hicknan's) ese1tcheon as democrat. was
uptsrnished; his political record is long one,
snd until then it was without stain he also
says 1--WE do think that the record of John
Hickman challenges his most bitter enemies
TO prove, that he has ever acted the political
bypocrite" Now we, although extremely
cory to differ with our amiable neighbor. as
sers and VIC will rrove, that since & east 1854,
Hickman's political escutcheon has not been
.ntarnished. and We will further prove, that
treason and treachery to democratic princi-
pies and usages, have for years been his po-
litlcai stock in trade.
In 1854 Hon. Stephen A. Douglas in tro-
2uced the Kansas and Nebraska bill into
she .. S. Senate. 1t passed both Houses of
e., ~ ToIn
Hickman, then as now member of the House
efRepresentatives opposed and voted against
il. He opposed it because 1t repealed the
Missouri compromise, and embodied the doc
Eiue of popular Sove reignty. He made COM
nou cause with the Abolitionists during that
memorable struggle. and labored zealously to
defeat the bill. He then clearly opposed the
Democratic Party, and acted with its enemies
and yet our neighbor contends that by 80 do
ing he did not tarnish his political escutcheon.
Our neighbor processes to regard the doctrine
Of popular sovereignty as the cardinal doctrine
of the Democratic Party. and yet he cannot
see anything wrong il John Hickmans oPpo
sing it. when ii was struggling for existence
In 1854 What gross inconsistency! In
: 1857 Mr.. Hickman again arrayed himself
beneath the flag of the enemy, and deserted
the party to which he profcssed to belong
During that entire session, the Black Repub-
lican members were his confidential friends
and companions, and bis eulogists, such men
as John W. Foruey. At the close of the ses
sion the entire Black Republican Party were
Il Il L.. i
that his political escutchcon was still without
stain and that be was good democrat
In the spring of last year, he attended State
Convention composed of men who called then
selves democrats, and was the great orator o
the occasion. Although he declared that ht
democrat. he fearlessly promulgated
Black Republican doctrines in the speech
which be delivered. and joined in recommend
log the defeat of the Democratic State Ticke
at the approaching election. Was all thi.
right neighbor, was there no treachery, n,
hyIocrisy in Mr.. Hickmans declaring himsel
democrat. while be was opposing the Dem
ecratic Party aud its nominees?
Our reighbor asserts that at the Congres.
inai election of 1858, Hickman was not elect
ed as democrat. He then styled himself a
anti-Lecompton or Douglas democrat. an,
was elected as such. And yet, during tn
present Congress, be has been steadily, faith
fully and consistently acting with the Blac
Republicans. delivering Black Republica
speeches and voting for Black -Repzblica
for Speaker, and yet be is impudent enoug
20 still call himself democrat. He ha
not during the Session acted with the ar
:i-Lecompton members. yet he claims to b
zone oftbem." Where 10 the history of ou
country, can be found q more perfect spec
men of political treachery and hypocrisy tha
/. disclosed in the political career of tbi
man Hickman? Let us briefly recapitulat
the facts We have already stated: In 1854, al
slough calling himself democrat. he oppos
81 he Kansas-Gebraska bill and the doctrin
of popular sovereignty. During the sessio
of1857. although still claiming to be q dem
ocrss, heacted with the Black Rcpa5licau
and gave them aid and comfort on sIl oecas
s;7us. In 1888. although be loudly boaste-