Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-08-03
HENRY D. FOSTER.

The democratic candidate for Governor II
prince among political trimmers. 1t must have
been while laboring under prescicnt forebod-
| ing of the forthcoming split at Baltimore that
/ the Reading Convention fell upon him as their
| candidate for Governor at this particular crisis
in the affairs of the party. Ii the leaders of
| the two factions wanted RIan who hadn't the
soul TO say he belonged to either, SO that both
might claim him, with the tacit understanding
between themselves that be was not to be COM
pelled to show bis hand, they showed the skill
of true genius in selecting Mr.. Foster. He Is
just the man to play off upon credulous faction
lists who are prepared, if not anxious, to be de-
celved.
| If, however, the Convection thought they
we're choosing representative man--a man of
positive characteristics if it was their intention
to make him take decided stand; if il was
| their purpose to put him forward as the bold.
ouf-spoken man, ready to advance promptly to
the front in the hour of doubt or danger, then
/ they wero utterly mistaken in their man. He
| has not single attribute that fts him for the
position of bold and resolute leader.
! Cold, unimpassoued, selfish, irresolute and
weak-too cowardly to say yes and afraid to
say 10, he is fitted only for that position as a
candidate which requires but one condition.
that of keeping bis mouth shut. His whole
politnal life has demonstrated his unfitness 10
occupy tie front rank at such a time as this
He was never bold, manly or resolute ia his
politica, but ever the shrinking, fearful, doubt
iRg do-nofhing. A mere negative man. NH tysa
popularity he ever possessed was earned by tha
ability he has always shown in doing nothing
to give offence.
We are inclined to believe, however. that
the democratic leaders at Reading chose him
for his possession of these very characteristics
They wanted negative and not positive man.
Foreseeng disaffection, if not division. thew
fixed on him because they thought or hoped
they could get through the Campaign witbnut
asking him to declare himself on the po,uts of
difference between the two factions. They
knew this was their only chance for success at
the October election; and thsy had sense enough
TO see that il they failed 10 October they could
not succeed in November
They have reckoned, however, without their
Sosi. There is determination in the demo-
cratic ranks to know just where Mr.. Foster
stands, aud which of the candidates for the
Presidency he intends to support. They know
be vent to Baltimore warm Douglas man
bns that was before the Convention split. and
when probability existed that but one candi-
date would be chosen. In that event he had
shrewdness enough to see that he had no chance
OF election bimself if Douglas were not select
ed, and hence be was for Douglas as the eandi-
date of the united Democracy but when the
split took place, the whole aspect of things
changed. 1t became necessary for him, then.
TO conclllate the Breckenridge men; and he ac-
cofdingly returned homa close-mouthed and
oracular.
All at once the Breckenridge men became
very earnest for bis election. However the
party might differ, they said, about the Presi-
denoy, they were united on the Governor dues-
ton; and the utmost anxiety has been eyinced
by them, ever since, to concentrate all the par
ty strength on Mr.. Foster. The compromise
dodge, or union upon one electoral ticket, even.
was urged upon the ground that it would pro-
mote Fosters success and there was such N
mysterious connection between the two, that
Mr. ii. d. Foster happened to be in Philadel-
phia when the State Committee met, and was
understood, by those who we're capable of un-
derstanding him, as being in faYor Of the CON-
promise scheme.
All this has naturally provoked the suspi-
cions OF the Douglas men; and we accordingly
find the Philadelphia Press kiudling Gre to
smoke him out. 1t says:
ga paiuful runor In one of Yesterdays fSun-
day) papers leads us to the impression thai Gen.
Foster, the Democratic candidate for Governor,
counselled or approved the scheme of the Office
holders aud their friends on the Demoeratic
State Central Committee to unite he Democrats
OF PennsylEania on the present electoral ticket,
composed of Douglas end Breckiuridge men,
WITH the understanding that if these electors
could not elect either of these candidates, they
might vote for any other candidate for Presi-
dent. We called upon Gen. Foster, some DAYS
ago, to state his position on this disputed aud
delicate question, and up to this time no am
swer has been returned. Tho Sunday paper
alluded to declares that be fayors II. Several
of the Interior Administration papers make the
same declaration, and il is a significant fact
that every party Journal 10 the State which re-
fuses to raise the name Of the regular Dens1-
cratic candidate for President, Stephen 4.
Douglas, flies the flag Of Henry d. Fostef.--s
Tie must xceak out ,R this CRISIS Boidncss now
may be fortune hereafter. Defeat to-day, uu-
der the Douglas popular sovereignty q Y, would
be more profitable Tor Gen. Foster than defeat