Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-09-12
WHERE HE STANDS.

WHERE HE STANDS.
If we were to ask any intelligent Democrat
where to look for the s'leading principles of
his party, would he not at once direct us to
the Platform adopted by his party in National
Convention? And when we assert that call
the leading principles of the Republican party
are in accordance with Gen. Patton's settled
convictions and feelings" would not every rea-
sonable and fair-dealing man just as naturally
seek for those principles in the National Plat
form constructed at Chicago7 This, howev-
er, the astute editors Of the Clearfeld Republi-
can seem determined not to do. Fearing to
meet manfully the real issues of the campaign,
they attempt to withdraw attention from them
and their candidate by imputing to Gen. Pat.
ten the advocacy of views which they think
find no favor with the masses. But their game
won't work. The great questions that are now
before the people cannot be avoided. Gen.
Patton has no disposition to avoid them, and
in order that the editors of the Republican
may be saved the trouble of reading our plat
form-they evidently having a strong aversion
to perusing platforms of any description just
now-we will, out of consideration for their
feelings, state, in as succinct manner as pos
sible, where the General does stand
He is in favor of the maintenance of the
Constitution, the preservation of the Union,
and the enforcement of the laws;
He is in favor of protecting the several States
In all their rights, as well as against lawless
invasion by armed force, no matter under
what pretext it may be attempted;
He is in favor of Protective Tariff;
He is in favor of Homestead Bill;
he is in favor of Pacific Railroad
he is in favor of River and Harbor Improve
ments by the General Government;
He is in favor of the immediate admission of
Kansas under the Constitution recently form
ed and adopted by her people;
He is opposed to interfering with Slavery in
the Southern States;
He is opposed to extending Slavery, believ-
ing that ssthe normal condition Of the Terrific
ries of the United States is that of Freedom;'
He is opposed to the re-opening Of the Afri-
can Slave Trade; regarding it as ssa crime a.
gainst humanity burning shame to our
country and age;'
He is opposed to the new dogma that the
Constitution, of its own force, carries Slavery
into the Territories; and hence to the passage
by Congress of code for its protection in
those territories;
He is opposed to extravaganza, fraud and
corruption in the management of the affairs of
the Nation.
These are the "leading principles of the Re.
publican party" as set forth in the platform
adopted at Chicago, and are questions upon
which a Congressman will be called to act.
That platform, and that alone, can properly be
consulted to ascertain what the ssleading prin-
ciples" of the party are. A resolution, Offer
ed, inconsiderately perhaps, by an individual
In Congress, or measures Of doubtful practi-
cability suggested by some extremist, are no
part of those principles, and the efforts that
are being made to fasten them on any of our
candidates, must be the offspring of coward
Iy, if not malicious disposition, which impels
its possessor to ssbear false witness against his
neighbor.'' All the twattle of the Republican
about the Blake Resolution and Heperism
is mere clap-trap and stuff designed to hum
bug and frighten unsuspecting and timid per-
sons, and to divert their attention from the
real issues involved in the contest. Those is
sues, tho principles enuncated in the various
platforms, and the attitudes the several candi-
dates occupy in regard to them, we are at any
time willing to discuss freely and fully but
such balderdash as appears in the last Clear
field Republican, neither merits an answer nor
requires a denial. We have firm reliance
that the common sense of its readers will in
-duce them to put proper construction upon
its article about ssconvictions and feelings.o
ILLINoIs-The fires are burning brightly in
the Prairie State. In the Chicago Press &
Tribune before us We have the record of three
Republican mass meetings, with headings as
follows: "Mass Meeting at Woodstock-12,-
600 Republicans in Council;'' ssGrand DEM
onstraation at Kankakee-12, 900 PRESENT.
GsIuaxaepaa (Satha=ixae.