Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-03-20
Letter from Harrisburg.
HARRIspuRo, March IL, 1862.


teresting to you, ] take the liberty to give
you briefly some of. the impressions which the
remarks Of your Senator, Mr. LANDoN, made
upon myself aud others who heard him.
OF Mr.. LANDoN's first and principal speech,
| will say little, as you have doubtless, ere
this read it in print Its fine delivery, and
more particularly its noble and loyal sentiments,
thrilled all who heard them with deep con-
victon of their truth, however much they
might conflict with party ereeds, or political
lodges 1t forced conviction upon the minds
of many who were supposed to be as inaeces-
sible, or impervious to such solid shot as is the
! iron.cIad Monitor, of recent fame.
But while bis forcibIe appeals and knotty
facts found an echo in the hearts of many, the
Senators who were booked for q tilt
against him, found various reasons to dissent
from the opinions expressed by Mr.. LANpoN.
Senator CLYMER, of Berks, once an old-line
whig, now full blown Democrat, took upon
himself the task of replying to the Senator
from Bradford, and gave an authoritative ex-
position of the Democratic position upon the
Slavery question in general. mr. LANDoN had
based his opposition to Shaving upon broad
general principles-its inherent wrong-and
because it always had and always would re-
suit in evil both 10 the master and to the slave
But, aside from this, as the Preside mt had
called upon Congress and The States to adopt
some general plan for gradual emancipation,
he thought it eminently just and proper, that
Congress shonld show its good faith in the
proposition, by enactiHg law for the abolition
of Slavery in the District of Columbia, over
which it has exclusive jurisdiction, &c, &c.
In reply, Mr.. CLYMER started ont with the
usual declaration that be was no friend or ad
vocate of Slavery. After this very important
information, (Which certainly would not have
been inferred from bis argument be passed
on to define the party lines aud party princ-
plies upon these great issues aud finally arrived
at the conclusion that except for the abolition
fanatics there would have been no rebellion
and no war He then endeavored to confound
all distinction between abolition fanatics and
Republicans, aud by this parity of reasoning /
he came to the conclusion that but for the |
Republican party, there would have been no
domestic iusGrrecton The usual SereOtYped |.
argument, that Slavery agitation had rvted
chains upon the slave was exhaustiHgly pre-
sented. Next in order came the Bible argu
meut, and the life and teachings of Christ, to
show that after all Slavery was not the heidi
Gus monster that some would represent it, and
as Christ DO where condemned it, neither would
he. Why Mr. CLYYER should have put his
foot into such trap as the attempt TO make /
the Bible speak in defence Of Slavery, was
unaccountabIe to me, especially when he should
have known that his opponent was at home in
that field. And dearly did he pay for such |
temerity. When Mr.. LANDoN had flushed
his reply to this Bible argument, his opponent
was left standing on nothing. Mr. LANDoN
in his first speech had not alluded to parties
nor party ssues-he could therefore allude to
the charges OF Mr. CLYMER with propriery.-I
And be improved it well, by showeringupon the
head Of his opponent and the party he claimed
to speak for, some of the most well timed and
merited rebukes, ever listened to. That
great party, numbering among its leaders such
men as Yancy, Mason, SlidelI, Wise, Floyd,
Buchanan, &c. should attempt,iu the face of the
political antecedents OF these men TO declare it
self free from any completely With the rebel lead.
ers was playing upon the popular creduIity lit
tie toe strong, aul was vigorously rebutted
aud demolished.
The debate, as whole, was able aud concIu- /.
sive Mr. IRISH, Mr.. MCCLURE and several
Others spoke upon the resolution, that day
But Mr.. LANNON'S was the speech of the day. |
He was broad and comprehensive in argument,
and most withering and severe in reply. In
deed it was pronounced the best that had been |
delivered 10 the Senate for mauy day. 1t
was Fort DonelSon defeat to Mr.. CLYMER,
for he was prudent enough not to attempt
reply.
In the hands of Mr. LANDoN, the interests
of Freedom will not be allowed to suffer- and
happy are you in Bradford county, if you can
always find Senator to give such noble utter
ance to noble sentiments.
Yours Truly,
A FRIEND OF FREE SpEEcH.
BY way Of ST. Louis, last night we learn that
the forces of Generals Smith, McClearnand,
Sherman Wallace and Hurlhur had arrival