Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-01-21
HOW 1T WAS DONE

The Philadelphia Press of Wednesday, JAN
uary l4th, makes the following reference as
to the manner in which the election of Mr..
Buckalew, to the U. S. Senate, was secured
silt would not be proper for US TO permit the
recent election for Senator to pass without ma
king a word of reference to the scenes attend
ant upon the canvass. The Democratic lea
ders have played many desperate and unscru-
pulous ventures, but none can exceed the
last. 1t seems that there was an indication on
the part of many members of their party to be
select in their choice of a candidate for the
office of Senator. Many of the candidates
were obnoxious to them by reason of their
extreme devotion to the South, and as loyal
men they could not support their election.
This difference Of opinion came to the ears of
Democratic State Central Committee, and, as
Mr.. Hughes had some hopes of being nom ina
ted himself, he took energetic and prompt
means to prevent the threatened detection.
Trains were chartered, tickets were sold at a
nominal rate, and large bodies of men taken
to Harrisburg. There they roamed around
the town, slept on chairs and benches, and
gave their time to dissipation and revelry.
They threatened and swore and terrified peace
able men. Mr.. Randall, our Representative
from the First district, harangued them at a
midnight assembly in words that can only be
construed as an invitation to violence, while
others, not quite as bold Mr.. Randall, were
was that the House and Senate met surrounded
by mob, and legislated under the knives and
pistols of lawless men. This is the plain story
about the election in Harrisburg yesterday.
The circumstances surrounding that act of
high and solemn legislation are shameful.
We see men in the interest of party not only
defying the law, but deliberately contempla-
ting the commission of violence and, perhaps,
murder. These are the same men who, few
months ago, were SO generous in their marty
discipline. Mr.. Randall and his friends distin-
guished themselves in 1860 by opposing the
regular nomination of the Democracy, and
were bold and open schismatics. When the
ruin OF the Democratic party served the cause
OF the South and Slavery, they assisted in its
ruin. Now when its success is desired by trea-
son and slavery they assist in restoring il, and
make death the penalty Of a sefusal 10 obey
the mandates of it's caucuS.''
This is truly deplorable picture The
members OF Legislative body in free Com
monwealth, controlled by lawless m OBJ, yea,
forced to bow to the beck Of band of despo-
radoes and assassins! But sncb it would
seem, was the fact! And such is the so-cal-
led Democratic party When the leaders of
the Southern wing of that party could no Ion
ger control the honest northern masses by
threats, they inaugurated Secession-would
not allow their osn people fair expression
on the subject, but with pistol and bowie
knife in hand they forced State after State
out of'the Union-and the result was the pres
ent war. with all its evils and pernicious con-
sequences. Are we to have the same scenes
re-enaeted in the Northern States by the
Northern wing of that same party We fear
the result The leaders Of the so. called DEM
ocratic party in the North seem to be tread
ing in the Footsteps of their Southern broth
ers! Our Legislators are no longer allowed
10 think and act and vote according to the
dictates of their consciencss. Pistols and
bowie-knives are brought into requistion, and
the lives of those Legislators threatened, if
they dare disregard the mandates of the par
ty leaders. Can any one doubt the tendency
OF all this secession, war, and its train of e.
vils7 We trow not, tor such was the result in
the Southern States from similar course, and
she sans causes will end in like result in
the Northern Sta'es. May the people awake
from the letbargy that now ensbrouds them in
time to avert the utter destruction that hangs
over them and the country.
X,sor WhoaIan d degaafod , raf,eI fayca 1vbsch