Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-11-13
The Why and the Wherefore.

cltement incident TO a heated canvass nau
passed, would state frankly and fairly the
reasons why gave my support to the straight
Repu blican candidates.
To fulfill this promise in part, l now ad-
dress myself to the subject -
Believing the peril of our Republic demand
ed every one of her electors to lay aside all
bis former party affiliations, bis petty indi'
vdual preferences and act only for the saving
of his beloved country by whatsoever means
it might be, l gave my unsolicited support
to the straight Republican party, believing it
equivalent to giving my support to the Ma
tional Administration.
AS every loyal man must be either follow
ing the lead of the National Administration,
giving active support to all its measures
against the Rebellion, or going before pre-
pairing the way which in the future the Gov
ernment will be obliged to adopt, it follows
logically that there can be no opposition par
ty possible, unless it rests upon open or secret
sympathy with the Rebellion Hence, as one
formerly standing outside of the Republican
party, asked no man to do that | would not
willingly do, viz: pledge support to the du'
ly nominated candidates of the Republican
party" though they were not the men Of my
choice. l could not consent TO countenance
coalition which would tendsto weaken or
overthrow the National Administration, tho
the parties should claim to be Republican.
For even such Republicanism must be known
by its fruits ask Republicans what effect
your coalition with and victory of party op
posed to the Administration must have upon
the rebels ? Would it not tend to make them
the more hopeful, aud because the more hope
ful, the more persistent in their enterprise :?
For opposing (in caucus coalition which
had for its purpose the CownfaEl of men who
have opposed the encroachments of the pro-
slavery party and stood boldly for right, hence
the natural allies of the National Adninstra-
tion, am threatened with enmity at your
hands through all time. Regardless Of de-
nunciation from those thus actuated by sell
fishness, hope to remain the unfinching foe
of that system whose friends declare is the
corner stone of Confederacy whose pes
tiential breath we are now (perhaps uncon-
sciousy) inhaliDg, and which threatens TO sub
vert our own free Institutions 1t must be
evident to every loyal man that no compro-
mise could be offered which the rebels would
accept, that would not forever subvert the au-
thorty Of the Government. We must pay
them premium for treason in the form of
new guarantees for Slavery, consent to per
manent dissolution of the Union, or compel
them to submit to the authority of the Gener
al Government.
Not willing to yield my assent to rebel de-
mands, either directly or indirectly made, is
another reason for acting with the party
supposed most in sympathy with the National
Administration. You may deem it harsh to
even hint that any of the electors of Bradford
, are indirectly in sympathy with the Rebels.
| Let US see =
| Some of you assert that Abotionists
are the " latent" cause of this war that even
as moderate antislavery men as Grow and
WuMor must be put down that conservative
men must be elected to save the country.
What do those who utter these sentiments
mean Do they mean to say that we cf the
North shall go into battle, spill our blood and
expend our treasure, while the CAUSE in which
we are engaged is unjust !? Yet this is the
kind of encouragement, the enthusiasm they
are giving our soldiers, stripping them Of the
Inspiring consciousness of giving up their lives
for just and great principle, meantime claim
ing to be loyal men and Republicans.
After all this, some of you would attach a
stigma to my character, because amid such
surroundings we should feel sense of ser
row" or shame" that in the nineteenth cen-
tury of Christian era, privileged with every
incentive to education freedom and patriotism,
we find men thus acting in sympathy with this
diabolical Rebellion.
At times, you complain of want Of energy
on the part of the Government If true, this
should satisfy you that any party less eonser-
vative than the Republican could never put
down the Rebellion by force of arms. Hence
the necessity of strengthening the Govern
ment to the utmost, or yielding to an iDgo
rious compromise dictated to US by those now
in arms to destroy. Choose your course but
beware lest you lose that for which our
fathers bled and which our brothers are now
battling for-our Country I Anxious only
for its good, in which we are all alike interest
ed, have acted eouscientiously and if wrong
to you, wrong to myself in common with you
all-whch should time reveal will be man,
fully retracted by Your humble fellow citizen