Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-09-19
RIDING TWO HORSES.

In his speech at Somerset on the Z'th Oh
August, Foster is reported by a correspond
ent of the Philadelphia Press as saying, ''that
Congress had no right to legislate fer the ter
ritories on the subject of slavery, because
there was no such power conferred by the
Constitution; that they could not be left with
out law, andit followed that the territorial
Legislature had absolute control of the sub
ject. To deny this was to deny the right of
elf-government, the basis of all freedom"
This was u distinct avowal of sqnatter sover-
eighty, and the Douglas men congratulated
themselves that it committed Mr.. Foster SUBJ
stantialiy to Mr.. Douglas. But Foster him.
self went to Philadelphia Immediately after
the speech, put himself in communication
with the Breckinridge men, and the next day
their organ, the PeansyfUdnien, made an Off
cial contradiction in the following words !:
ssThe Press published what purported to be
letter from Somerset, giving an account of a
meeting held there, at which Hon. Henry d.
Foster spoke. Sentiments were therein stated
to have been uttered by Gen. Foster, in rela
tion to the territorial question, which we had
no doubt, when reading it,were never spoken
Since then Gen. Foster has arrived in this
city, and We find, upon inquiry, that, just as
we expected, the statements of the letter are
utterly destitute of truth, no such remarks
having been made by him, either there or else
where.''
| This contradiction was undoubtedly made
| by Fosters authority. Indeed, the PeRnsyi-
ranian puts it upon that ground. The Phila-
| delphia North american, referring to this dou-
| be-f faced candidate and these contradictory
| representations, says
| ssIn this part of the State he is claimed as
| in full communion with the Administration,
and is sustained by its officials and instruments
| for being an opponent of Douglas; while in
/ the west he is supported for exactly opposite
reasons. With all his plausibiity, professions
| and non-committalism, he cannot escape the
| responsibility which must soon be confronted.
| No honorable man can advocate two opposing
| sets of principles at the same time. The
Douglas and breckenridge factions radical
| ~ and irreconcilabiy hostile to each other, and
Judge Douglas declared, at Reading. that
| they could not fuse on any terms without the
| sacrifice OF self-respect and integrity. he and
| his friends have denounced the Breckenridge
| wing as secessionists, and whoever acts with
! them is. of course open to that imputation. Is
| Gen. Foster in that category or not3 We
| pause for q reply The friends of Mr.. Doug
/ las have nominated a straight electoral ticket,
! in order to emphasize their rcpulsion the of CO.
/ alition proposed by ytheAdminlstration faction.
They will not act with the sdisnnionlSts' from
any consideration OF policy, and openly stig-
matize them unworthy of confidence. let
| these very sdisunionists' have Gen. Foster in
| personal keeping. lOrin MS Oouy SudTu III III
/ adephia, and compel him to repudiate decla-
rations made or put in his mouth at Somerset.
| He must choose one side or the other. With
/ all his expertness he cannot satisfy two inter
| ests, which are only working to destroy each
/ other. 1t is quite as important TO the people
| OF this great State to know the purposes, pol
| icy and sentiments of the candidates for Coy
! ernor, as those of President. Properly direc-
ted, they may exercise potential influence
on national affairs, and therefore whoever as
pires to that dignity, should at least have the
/ courage and the integrity TO declare his con-
| victions manfully. Ii he is afraid, or seeks to
| trim his sails to every passing breeze, he is
unworthy of public favor or public respect.
| We want no halfway, no milk nd-water Gov
ernors for Pennsylvania Henry d. Foster
has dod ged. and quibbled, and hesitated, ever
since the discords in his OWN party began,
looking ont with sharp eye, and nosing with
| keen sceut for the first and surest indica-
tions of strength, in order TO protect himself
He cares for neither side nor principle, except
| so far as it may serve his interests. We in
tend to have him smoked ont, and to make
him show his hand, and we expect to be aided
in that good work by numbers of honest dem
ocrats who do not care to be cheated this time
Is Gen. Foster for the Douglas ticket Or a.
gainst it ?''