Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-12-04
James Conr ad. Esq.

The last AIlegianiaH contains letter address
sed to US, from the above named gentleman. 1t
will be Tecollected, that he the Republican
candidate for County Commissioner at the last
election, and he takes US to task concerning an
editorial article which we published during the
campaign, commenting on his course as polti
clan, and his claims to the support of the De-
mocracy of Cambria. In that article we spoke
OF him not as private citizen, but as politician,
and said nothing at which be or any ofhis friends
could justly take offence. When man becomes
a candidate for Office in the gift of the people,
his political record at once becomes a legitimate
subject for newspaper comment, and it is a mis-
fortune for which ne she uld blame himself aud
not the newspapers, if it will not bear close and
searching scrutiny. If Mr.. Conrad cannot bear
to see any harsh or unpleasant truths concerning
his political career in print. he should never a
gain become candidate for Office. Newspa pers
posses the right to and and always viii comment
with boldness and freedom, on the merits and de-
merits Of those who come before the people So
liciting positions Of honor and profit in their
gift. If Mr.. Conr ad had remembered this, he
would probably have saved himself the trouble
Of writing the letter which has given occasion for
these comments.
With regard to Mr.. Conrad's Know Nothing
ism, he viii please remember, that we did not
charge him with ever having taken the vows, or
having formally Joined that mysterious order
but we did charge him on hat we then regard
ed, md what we still regard, as good authority,
with having acted with its leaders in this county,
and voted fOr its nominees. These two impor-
tant facts, we think Mr. Conrad will not attempt
to deny. Although the religion he professed,
was sufficient to prevent him from being admit
tel into the councils of the Know Nothing order,
it seems that it ~as not sufficient to prevent him
from acting with its leaders in public and sus.
tanning its candidates for office He laboreG with
all the zeal and ability he could command, to Sc
cure the triumph of an organization, which if sue
cessfol, would have regarded his manner of wor-
shipping God, as sufficient reason for depriving
him OF his dearest rights as an American citizen
1t is hard to believe that he was So blind, so
deuded, infatuated as to do this, but it is new
ertheless true. We think this circumstance the
best evidence that could be adduced of his being
a bitter PARTISAN. and uncompromising enemy of
the Democratic party. He boasts that he has
occasionally voted for Democrats for office. We
glad to hear this, and hope he will DO so Oft
ener hereafter. As we have never voted any
thing but the Democratic ticket for National
State and County officers, we of course voted for
the Democrats Mr.. Conrad supported. unless he
performed these meritoriOus acts in his political
career, before were old enough to exercise the
right Of suffrage.
In conclusion, Mr.. Conrad has something to
say about ballot box suffers. OF course every
one knows to whom he alludes. He will pardon
US for saying, that think there is something
mean, cowardly and contemplate in thus wan
tonly assaiIing those who are absent from their
homes fighting the battles of the country The
patriotism they have manifested. should be suffi
cient to shield them fiom the malignant assaults
of stay at home patriots like Mr.. Conrad, during
their absence. Weare sorry to have been com
PEELED TO say this much concerning him. and
hope we will not be again compelled TO turn our
attention TO him.