Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-05-02
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsuINeToS UousE.
PHlLADELrHIA, April 2s, 1868.

pm 90 iOVo'
This city, like nearly all the great cities
Of the Northern and Western States, con
tinues to Improve. notwithstanding the stu
pendous war in which we are engaged, and
which would paralyze, if not overwhelm,
almost any other people. One thing here Is
observable--the copperheads proper, are
less confident, and therefore less virulent
than they have been. Besides, the antcce-
dents and the character of many of the
leading copperheads in this city are not of a
very fattering character, and therefore not
likely to impress honest and well-meaning
democrats with any exalted ideas of their
loyalty or sincerity. William B. Reed, for
instance. was formerly the agent and Attor-
ney of the old United States Bank, in some
of its most Objectionable transactions. He
was the man who said, "Lehigh must DO
better for the Whigs. He has been Anti
Mason and Know Nothing--turned demo
crat for office under Mr.. BuChanan's admins
tration, and is now considered one of the
leading copperheads of Philadelphia, and
as bis ancestors were more than suspected
of treason, it is very natural that he should
tread in their footsteps. Another of the
same class, Josiah Randall, has been all his
life, or until President Fillmore refused
to appoint him to cabinet Office, not only
violent opponent of the Jackson democra-
cy, but one of the most unscrupulous and
reckless politicians of his day. Rejecting
democrats who know these things begin to
pause before they consent to put themselves
into the hands of such leaders. Such is the
character of these men, all over the State
Their patriotism and their love for what
they call democracy, almost always result:
and ends in their love of Office. Even the
editor of the copperhead organ in our coun
ty, who migrated to Sunbury not man!
months since, we believe, presumes to bC
a candidate before he is properly warmed il
his new nest. But party renders many mel
perfectly blind. How many will have thei
eyes opened before the election remains t.
be seen.
1t is said the best and most reliable citi
zens Of all parties in Philadelphia, are uni
ting themselves with the Union Leagues il
this city. What is, perhaps, most singular
is the fact that the copperheads are almos
unanimous in denouncing these leagues i
favor of the Union, while they have not
word to say against the Southern League
and their Northern allies, the "Knights c
Ca1l In', o{fD,
to destroy the Union.
The work of consolidation in rail road
seems to be going ahead. 1t will be seen b
anotice in our advertising columns this wee
that the newly contemplated railroad name
y: the "Schuylkill Haven and Lehigh Rive
Rail Road is to be merged and consolidate
with the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Have
rcad--for which purpose a meeting will !
held on the 14th of May. After this is a,
complished the Mine Hill and Schuylk
Haven road" is to be absorbed by the ReaC
ing rail road. The terms are already agree
upon. The stockholders Of the former, W
understand, are to receive $3.50 for so
of their stock, in the stock of the Rcadin
Company. The Reading Company ais
assumes the contract of the Navigation Con
pany with the Mine Hill Railroad, and COZ
cedes to the Navigation Company forty-fy
per cent of the coal tonnage of the Schuy
kill Region during the season Of navigation
or, if it fails in this, pays to the Navigatio
Company rs cents per ton on SO much tor
mage as will make it equal to that amour
The advantage resulting to the Readin
Railroad Company, over and above the gel
eral ono of harmonizing the carrying trad
of the region, is, that it removes the threat
ened rivalry of a railroad from the Min
Hill Road, by way of Lizard Creek, throug
the Lehigh Valley to New York, which
was contemplated would be made, by whic
the Reading would have acompetitor for il
tonnage during the winter months,