Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-08-29
SPEECH OF GEN. GEORGE A. sCRoGGs.
IN FAVOR OF LINCOLN AND VICTORY.

we presume if there is any man in this coun-
ty who is disposed to vote for Bell and Ever
EFT, he does so on the ground of that being the
american ticket. We tell him, however, tha,
there is little or no Americanism about the
ticket. The Convention which nominated Bell
and Everett, at Baltimore in May, was called
by a acommittee appointed by number OF Sem
ators, Members of Congress, and others, who
met in Washington City, to organize a aep
party, nnder the name of the ssNational Union
Party" but since it's organization is better
known as the ssOld Gentlemen's Party,'' be-
cause OF the part taken in it by old fogies gen.
orally. Through the operations of this move
ment, the American party was SET aside, and
Its principles ignored, having, in the outset,
discarded all platforms, which, as a matter of
course, must include the American. The
''Old Gentleman's Party" is in fact party
Without principles or platform.
Gen. e. A. Scroggs, one of the most promi-
nent and influential Americans in the State of
n. York, and a member OF the Baltimore Con-
vention which nominated Bell and Everett, in
speech made at Buffalo, on Aug. 4th, says:
sThe american Party has not nominated any
candidates for President and Vice President :;
neither has it or will ii call Convention for
that purpose" He says, moreover, ssthat the
National U nion Convention OF Baltimore never
uttered syllable, either by resolution, ad-
dress, or otherwise, in any way .gniiying that
it endorsed or approved single principle or
doctrine of the American party
81 have reflected muCh,'' continues General
Scroggs, "upon this subject of coalition with
the Douglas men, and however others may
of I tfh
decent consistency with my humble and brief
political career, nor as a man of honor, en-
gage in what seems to be such stupendous
piece of political shysterism. Americans OF
Fillmore men who can sufficiently divest them
selves of all considerations of consistency,
principle and honor, to engage in such
an enterprise, are welcome to the laurels with
which they shall wear even the crown Of sue
cess. l will have no part or lot in the mat
ter. and l assure you here thai but very
beggarly account of the Americans in the
State of New York will.
"But suppose that the election is sent to the
House, let Us what Mr.. Bells chances are
then. He has one vote, and only one, to start
with. He can depend only upon that one vote.
1t requires IL to elect. Where are the remain
ing l6 to come from The strength of each
candidate in the House is thus estimated BY
the New-York Express: Lincoln Is; Breckin-
ridge II; Douglas l; Bell l; equally divided
4. Now, where is Mr.. Bell to get votes to e.
lect him None of the Breckinridge men will
vote for him, for they confidently expect, in
the event of the election going to the House,
General Lane will be the next President.
N othiDg is to be counted on from the four e.
qually divided States. If Lincoln's 10 and
Douglass be given to Bell, that will elect
HIM. But it is said that the Douglas State will
vote for Lincoln. This gives him 16. Now, |
this 10 must go over to Bell to elect him, or
the Bell State must go for Lincoln and elect |
him, to prevent the election of General Lane. |
What is most probable What is most rea- |
sonable Will the mountain go to the proph- |
ct! or will the prophet go to the mountain |
Or will the Bell State take the ground, and ex-
cuse its obstinacy as that juror did whose rea-
son for the disagreement of the jury of which |
he was one, was because there were eleven OBJ |
who would not agree with him |
is it likely that fifteen or sixteen States will |
yield their opinions and prejudices to one |
No, it is not probabie-hardly possible. Hu-
man nature is made of sterner stuff. We have
scions of the fallacy of such a supposition.
Would fifteen or sixteen of You Americans
yield the election of the most insignificant of
icer to one Republican or Democrat? You
would not. Much less would you
yield to the election of so high a functionary
as President of the United States, under
similar circumstances. Then would fifteen or
Of one Republican or one Democratic State
They certainly wonld not. Can we expect cen
cessions from other men that we would not
make ourselves? We must regard them as
being as tenacious of their opinions as We are.
But it is said the Republicans will not dare
AXE the responsibility of suffering an election
20 fail in the House, in view of the election of
General Lane in the Senate. This is assum-
ing too much. There are men who act from
motives sufficiently strong to
Justify them in the performance of what they
conceive to be q present duty, content to abide
the consequence with those who disagree with
hem. If it be such calamity to have Gen.
,Iai Lane elected President, what an overwhel-
ming responsibility single State would as
sumo in suffering it to be done when it could
prevent it. 1t is plain, / think, which would
,e more culpable IN a case where sixteen men
efused to act with one, or one with sixteen, to
prevent what both esteemed an evil.
elf we should conclude to vote straight for
Bell and Everett, we would have the gratifica-
ion OF knowing that We supported men emil
lently qualified for the offices, but of course
Without any hopes of success. If. on the 9TH
r hand, we should conclude to act Affirmative
y and to purpose, the way is clear to me.
there is party whose platform OF principles,
ave one resolution, conforms in all respects
With my views as to what should be the policy
# this country in reference to the subjects in
olved. And that resolution believe to have
een inserted rather a matter of policy, for
he present, than as a fundamental principle.
therefore, am willing to hold my objections
o it in allegiance, for the time being, as well
s to forgive the spirit in which l suspect it
o have been introduced.
''Upon that platform see gathered vastly
be greatest number of my political friends. as
'ell as many of my personal friends-friends
y whose wisdom l have instructed, and by
hose counsel have been proited. There, ,
ave no doubt, we all would find more affinity.