The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-03-13
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.,sscd under nv own observation, from
its commencement TIL the present iime.
I arrived in ti.i5 country during Presi-
dent Washington's last term 1t that
time politics had not come into existence
All lived together as u band OF brothers,
who had just gained their liberty But
even then there were some designing men
in existence However, Ill were called
Federalists. being under Fedora! govern
ment.
Then came John ADAMS tsrrn, and it
appeared that these designing men could |
fake their lead horse by the foretop and
lead him where they pleased. At this
time the Alien and Sedition laws were
passed, and the liberty OF speech suppress
sed. The President imprisoned hundreds
for speaking and printing against the gov
ernment. Now the Anti-Federalists be-
gan to spring up, because these laws sa-
vored too much of aristocracy.
Then came the second campaign be-
tween Adams and Jeferson-the Feds
supporting Adams, and the Antics jeffer-
son. At this time the former wero called
Aristocrats, and the latter Democrats;-
Jefferson was elected, and on taxing his
seat, he opened the prison-doors and let
the prisoners go free. Burr was chosen
Vice President, but he turned traitor and
tried to divide the country, shat he might
reign supreme over a portion of it.
Up to 1910, the two parties were de-
nominated Democrats and Federalists.-
But the Feds then changed their name to
nti-Masons, and both parties became SO
mixed up that you could hardly know
them apart, except by name. In Adams
time, the Aristocrats would allow no man
to vote, except he were worth 1e50--over
$500 On the other hand, all good citi-
zens were allowed to vote without regard
to property. At debate in Congress,
Franklin asked, if man were worth 9oO
in asses, would he be allowed to vote
On being answered in the affirmative, he
inquired whether it was the man or the
asses that voted
Then was it enacted that all good citi-
zens should vote without regard to prop
erty. Which is perfectly right, but is
still hard road to travel. On the one
hand, .here are hundreds of poor drunk
ards who will sell their votes for gill Of
whisky. On the other hand, there are
thousands Of poor, sober, honest men IN
the community, who are as jealous of their
votes as the wealthiest man. Therefore,
it is hard to draw line of distinction in
Republican government.
After this, it changed to Wings. All
this time watched both parties closely,
and found that there were good republi-
cans in both parties. voted for Pierce,
but l soon found that 1 had voted for
doughface. Before the election, it was
trumped up that he knew no North, no
South, no East, no West; but when he
came to box the political compass, he
made stand at the point marked South,
and for his life could not pass it. Next
came Buchanan, and it was also alleged
that he knew neither North nor South
But I was not to be deceived, for [ saw
his letter to this country, written short
time before his departure from England,
in which he said that, since the Missouri
Compromise had been repealed, it was our
duty to stand by that repeal at all hazard.
Then / said [ never would vote for him
After he was elected, / entertained faint
hope that | might possibly be mistaken
10 the estimate had formed of the man,
but no-he went still further than Pierce
He stood with his back to tae North, and
of course his face had ID be to the South
Then the SouthcrDers stepped up and
slipped a blind-bridle on him, so that he
could not squint to the East nor West,
and ed him by the reins wherever they
Iieased.
The government ultimately became so
corrupt, that the Republicans rallied out
of both parties, as they did in the Adams
and Jefferson campaign, ard elected Mr.
Lincoln President lie has harder
course to travel than had Jefferson, but
through the goodness of Providence lie is
capable for the task.
STEPHEN LLOYD.