Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-09-09
Judge Woodward on Know -nothingism

Of Judge WooDwARD's, delivered hoenty-fve
years ago, which they allege, favors their
sinking ideas Of know-nothingism. If
there was any truth ia this charge If
Judge WOODWARD was, in reality, inclined
to favor doctrines so illberal and anti
American, they would be so much in love
with him that they conld not oppose his
election. Hence, to support the great
leader of knownothsrgism in Pennsylva-
MIA only ntne years dgo-Andrew 6. Curtin
who then went about the State organizing
kuow-nothing lodges, administering oaths
to men who would have disfranchsed
their venerable fathers, had they then
been living.
But this charge was handsomely repu-
dated in 1852, when Judge WOODWARD
was elected to the seat he now fills on the
Supreme Court Bench, as the following
correspondence will clearly show
EoN. GEO. w. WOODWARD
Dear Sir.-The
party beg leave TO call your attention to
certain charges now frequently made by
the Wing presses, against you, in regard
to your views upon the naturalization laws,
and alleged hostility to the rights of natu-
rallied citizens, We are aware that you
may Justly regard your life and conduct
in the high station you have occupied and
the boundless confidence of the Demo
cratic party which you enjoy, as a suff-
cient answer TO such calumnies.
But the charges are intended 10 operate
on and mislead persons to whom the
truth is unknown. We would, therefore,
solicit from you an expressions of your
views on the subject, if your time will per-
init, not doubling that every candid mind
will thus be satisfied that 10y no act of
your life have you been justly chargeable
with having entertained measures iavoring
AL illiteral or proscriptive policy towards
adopted citizens, on account of the PLACE
OF their birth or their religious opinions.
Very respectfully, yours, &c,
Edwin NJ. Stanton, Charles Shaler,
Samuel W. Black, j. r. Snowden,
and others.
JUDGE WooDwARD's REPLY.
Gentlemen; The official duties which
brought me 10 Pittsburg, keep me constan-
tly engaged. Ny answer TO your letter
must therefore be brief.
From my earl est youth to this present
moment, have been an earnest and
hearty supporter Of the Democratic party,
and an equally jealous opponent, SO far as
my political action could decorously and
properly 60, of whatever has opposed it,
| am not and never have been a Native
American" in any political sense, any
more than am or have boen Wing,
Anti-mason or an Aboliiionist.
The charge of Nativeism" is sttempt-
ed to be sustained b. a motion made by
Mr.. Thomas, Wing member from Chester
county, and was calculated to compel his
party (who we're in a majority in the Con-
,entioD) TO come on to the mark or back
nut. They chose the latter branch of the
and my motion having an y
wered its purpose, was withdrawn. The
sin of introducing the subject into that
BODY lies Mt the door of Wing and
not at mine.
The speech so often quoted agaist me, |
im notresponsible for. 1t was introduced
into the debates by u Whig reporter, in
of the rules of the body, which
required him 10 submit il for revision be-
Tore publication, and which he never did,
made some observations explanatory OF
my amendment with Mr.. Thomas motion,
out that speech is not fair report of them.
My other speeches were submitted for
revision this ono never saw till the
book was printed, and have never ceased
10 condemn it.
During the session OF the Convention
namely on the 10Th day Of January, 1898.
4 member in debate alluded TO the mo-
lion, not the speech, as indicative of hos
Iility, to foreigners. promptly denoun-
ced the imputation there, in the face of
the Convention, as | have done many
time since, as a gross misrepresentation.
See debates of the Convention, vol. 10,
page 33, 81.
have retained the undiminished con-
idence of the Democratic members of the
Reform Convention. several of whom we're
adopted citizens, aud all of whom opposed
10 Nstivism. Would this have been pos
iible if the Whig reports of my sayings
and doings had been true? The Native
American party itself is my witness. Sew
m years ago was tho caucus nominee
or United States Senator. The county of
was represented by Natives.
They asked me, whether, if elected. by
heir votes, | would favor their measures
or changing the naturalization law. |
them NO, and they threw every
'ote they could command against me, and
alsed shout Of triumph over their vic
lory. 1,
You refer to statements in the Whig (
papers OF this city. One Of them was
shown me few days ago, in which was /
saroled extract from a letter written by (
me about year ago, in which | repelled
he imputation ef Nativism as distinctly :
rs deny it now. Yet the editor told :
ais readers that the letter contains an
admission that my sentiments were At +,
he time adverse to the rights of foreign
BORN citizens. copy of the letter thus
by the Piitsburg Ga,che
send you herewith in the Revstone of :
ept. %. 1851. 4
When men will allow their political {
assions 10 get the better of their veracity q