The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-01-02
(Fi'on tie Lase,ne Uaioa)
Simon Cameron's Contemplated Arrest Of
Senator Star

H6naGOr DGark,
For some weeks we have heard drumors from the
councils of Simon, that among other expedents
discussed to obtain an election TO the United
States Senate, was no one less bold and start
hng than to have the administration arrest two
or three democrats on some frivolous pretext,
and imprson them till after the election shall
take place.
We confess the proposition looked to us i'm
probable, and we gave it little thought; but the
occurrences of the past week have put differ
ent face upon our opinions. Some ten days a.
go Simon himself passed through the valley TO
Scranton. AS our country is not often honor
ed with the visits of ex-otic.als of such high
titles, his sudden appearance e, like his sudden
disappearance, was the subject Of much spec
ulailon.
Following in his wake, a few pays subse-
quent, another official, Surgeon General (or
some other kind of GeneraD Wilson, appear
ed at Scranton and vicinity, and pretended TO
take testimony to implicate General Stark in
improperly obtaining exemption from service Of
drafted men.
What the offence is to be named we know
not, but as the object TO be attained is seat in
the United States Senate for Simon Cameron
for six years, it is but fair to presume that it
will be considered sufficiently grave to warrant
the suspension of the hgbeaS corpus, and incar
cerate Senator Stark in some basiile till after
the election in January.
We learn that this Wilson, who, we believe
is brother-n-law of Governor Curtin, stated
at Scranton that there was member OF the
House against whom the same charges had been
preferred. This explains the whole matter
One Senator and one member absent, will give
Cameron clear majority. This would be cheap
er than buying men, and not so difficult to per
form. Now we have a few things to say about
this, for forewarned is to be forcarmel. Let it,
then, be distinctly understood:
First That Senator Stark cannot be taken
out of Luzernc county for any such purpose,
save he be taken over the dead bodies OF nine
thousand Democrats.
Second IF the administration, State and Na-
tional, are determined to persist in their revou-
tionary schcmes-if they are determined to o.
verride the voice of the people by the exercise
of arbitrary power, 'worthy of tyrants only"
Luzerne county is good place for them to be-
gin. The soil of our valley was stepped IN the
warm blood of revolutionary patriots, and the
dGsiaqaaats sf these 10 tR t6Rshdo S5 resistance to
despotic power in 1868.
Third. We call upon all our Democratic friends
through the county who have not armed them
selves, to do so at once, and 10 hold themselves
in readiness to resist, at all hazards the arrest
Of Senator Stark, and his removal from the
county, except it be done by regular judicial
process and authority, and with full opportuni-
ty for giving bail.
Fou1tR. A committee should be appointed
whose duty it should be, in case of arrest, to
apply Immediately to Judge for a writ Of Ia
Jeas corpus, who will have the courage to de-
clare the law of the Constitution, and protect
the rights of citizens, unawed by threats or bay
onets. The people viii take care of his decrees
That Senator Stark has committed any Of
fence at all, we do not believe. That he may
have aided some poor constituent III getting eX-
empt, is probable; and such, in proper cases,
would be his duty. But if he haS committed
an offence, or been guilty of inpropriety, our
courts are open for remedy. We warn the pow
ers that be, that they must not again po!lute
the soil of Luzerne or insult its people with their
arbitrary arrests. eff this be treason, make
the most Of it.'