Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-07-25
THE DEMOCRACY IN coM-MoTIoN.
The "Irrepressible Conflict in clearhel
A HIGH OLD TIME GENERALLY


men. suspicious that the Doug
lasites intended to play off some game at their
expense, at once went to work, and, 10 and be-
hold when the hour for assembling had come
and the admirers of the Little Giant were
vending their way to the Hall, the sounds OF
martial music, in the distance, suddenly dis
turbed the stiffness of the night, and breaking
upon their cars, soon convinced them that the
Breckinridge leaders had not been idle, and
we're literally drumming up forces in the sur
rounding country. After marching and coun-
tcr-narching through the streets, the music,
surrounded by noisy juveniles and few bois-
ferrous recruits, proceeded to the Town Hall,
where the hostile forces drew up in battle ar
ray-the Breckites taking possession of a low
er room, and the Dougs the large room up
stairs. Whilst the latter were consulting about
the officers, and just as they had concluded TO
wait until all were present, the Breckites came
rushing into the Hall, and before the surprised
Dougs fully comprebended the maneuver, the
enemy succeeded in electing the temporary
chairman. From the outstart it was apparent
that the Breckites did not want to endanger
their position, or throw themselves open to at
tack, and hence when motion was made to
form ssBreckinridge Club" they opposed it,
and carried one clubbing it the s'Foster Club of
Clearfield Borough" Another resolution, Of
fered by the Douglas men, setting forth that
all who had heretofore acted with the Democ-
themselves to support the National and State
nominees of the Democratic party, should be
permitted to vote at the election of officers and
become members of the club, was also voted
down by the Breckinridge forces, and deter
mined the subsequent course of the Douglas
ties. Then, as alleged by the latter, contrary
to the rules of the party, in such cases made
and provided, an election of permanent Off
GERS was Immediately held, Gen. Jas. Ii. Larri-
mer being chosen President; Isaac johnson,
John Hilburn, and Geo B. Goodlander, Vice
Presidents; and j. NJ. Kgatzer and j B. Wal
tcrs, Secretaries. Whether the Breckenridge
forces were more or less numerous than the
others, we shall not pretend to say; but it seems
strange that at least one of their officers won't
have vote this fall, and another, who declines
serving, is firm Douglas man, an d refu-
ses to have any affiliation with the eSeceders.
James L.-Morgan was chosen one OF the Secre-
taries, and also declined the sshonor." 9th
ers also refused to have anything to do with
the club: L. j. Grams, Esq, WHO was tender
ed position as Vice President declined with
remarks substantially as follows =
Mr.. PkEsIDENT-It is due to this meeting
and myself that whilst, peremptorraly declin-
ing an election as one of the permanent Vice
Presidents of your club, | should give tie
reasons which compel me to do so. In view
of the fact that the Democratic State Central
Committee have appointed an early day for re-
assembling ,and in the hope that at their meet
ing such counsels would prevail as would en-
able all who profess to belong to the Democrat
ic NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to shoulder and
with hearts bonyant with hope-to face and
overthrow those avoWedly hostile to the Demo
cratic faith, 1, in the early part of this evening,
advised that we be not hasty in our action,
and urged that, as heretofore has uniformly
been the course, we should not elect perma-
ncnt officers until a constitution providing for
their election be prepared and adopted. Such
course would have tended to harmoniZe diff
ferences and made the club unit. But when
found that for reasons not avowed, and which
we are at liberty to conjecture, the permanent
organization was to be precipitated, felt it
my right TO know of what material the club
was TO be composed and what was to be its
course in the approaching contest. before "a
greeing to become q member thereof. There
fore moved shat all citizens heretofore acting
with the Democratic party, o. who may at the
next election be entitled TO vote, and who are
willing to pledge themselves to support the
National and State nominees of the Democrat
ic party, be permitted to vote at the election
of officers and become members of the club.''
| could see nothing hetrodox in the PROPOSE
tion, and l know that it was in accordance
with the time -honored usages. of the party.
The defeat of the resolution determined me
to participate no more in the deliberations of
this assembly and to decline political associa-
tion with the club. In Offering the resolution,
Sir, did not seek to be invdious or to cast
doubt on the Democracy Of any gentleman
present, tor | recognize amid me many who,
in hard fought contests, have labored by my
side in achieving democratic victories. If
this club is to be composed of democrats the
adoption of the resolution would have exclu-
ded those only who have no right to affiliate
with US. If is is not, then seek no union
with it.
A glance, Mr.. President, at The paper which
was recognized as the Democratic organ of
this county, shows at the masthead the names
of two gentlemen for President, and the like
number for Vice President. If mistake not,
the constitution of the United States provides
for the election of but one person for each of
the said Offices, and as constitutional Demo
crat can support but one. Among those
names is that of John c. Breckinridge-a man
whom of all others should have liked to
have supported for the office of President, for
he is a gentleman of character, of honor, and
of intelligence. Along side of that name is
the name of his peer, Stephen A. Douglas,
the regular nominee of the party, and there
fore entitled to my cordial support despite
personal preferences. / admit, sir, that Mr.
Douglas was not my choice but fairly nomi-
mated, would be derilect in duty in failing
to work zealously for his support.
1t is idle to deny it, and madness to endeay-