Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-07-04
Hon. III. w. Tracy.

.Amertcan," for having the audacay to .
say word in Mr.. Tracy's defence. AS
to the controversy existing between the
"Republican,' & "American," we leave
that for settlement between them-bcliev-
ing that the editor of the "American" full.
ly comprehonps his own position and has
the ability to sustain it, We, however,
have aword to say in reference to the
onslaught of Republican upon Mr.. Tarcy.
Ii seems that Mr., Tracy has sinned in
going all the way from Danville to Blooms
burg in company with an administration
Post Master, and that while in Columbia
county, he CHANGED 10 be seen in company
with democrats. What an awful charge !
1t is very true that he went to Bloomsbury
partly on private business Of his own, and
partly upon business off public character,
as it is within his congressional district
The people became alarmed at the course
pursued by Mr. Wilmot, in getting James
II. Phinney, Jr., turned out and decrpi-
tated as Draft Commissioner of this Dis
trict, because he would not yield to his ar
rogant demand. The people believed that
every thing connected with the draft should
be kept out Of politics as much as possible,
in order that the public might have con-
fdcncc that the operations Of the law was
every way fair; or in other words, that
the thing should not be run as a political
machine, and that the enrolling officers
should be appointed from the Soldicry
where found to be ompetent-men who
had seen service, and men who would be
very likely to abstain from mixing up with
politics in performing their duty. Such
was the tone of public sentiment expressed
by the masses of all parties. MIR. Phin-
ney was known to be in favor of course,
and forming one of the Board for the ap-
pointmcnt of enrolling officers, held very
important position at the time Of his dis
missal, which was brought about without
any hearing Of his party, and as was be.
lieved by the people generally, because he
would not consent to become an instru.
ment in the hands of politicians for the
purpose Of q re-Cnactment Of the formali
) ties of the draft of 1862. Capt. A j
: Frick, Of Danville, was appointed as Mr.
Phinney's successor-propably very
good man. We certainly know nothing
to the contrary but it was enough to
know for what purpose he was appointed
AS was generally believed--aud TO whom
) he was indebted for his place, and the in
: fiuences that would be thrown around him
1t was for this reason Mr.. Tracy was ap
a pealed to as the member of Congress o
r the district, to step forth and remedy tn
evil, if in his power to do SO, and nsc hi
q influence to get the thing in shap
e whereby the public would havo confidence
9 in the draft. 1t was derireablc to know
q that the acts Of all the officers connecte
! ! herewith were right and proper, and tha
they would transact their business in a
}. impartial manner, and that all their dc
IS ings should be divested of politics.
y =. 1t was under such circumstances tn;
d Mr.. Tracy tho't proper to 60 thro' h
=, Congressional district and confer, an
consult with the peoplc-his constituent
men who have the deepert interest
these things, and to ascertain what woul
be the best and most propr course to |
u. pursued. 1t is true he consulted vii
"a them as a PEoPLE-not with Paaty.-
,s We are told that among others while
At Bloomsbury, he called upon Judge Elwel
n our former townsman. Mr.. Tracy, VIC
n knew that serious opposition had bet
20 made to the draft in many sections, al
e feeling a desire that it should be so co
;. Quoted in his district that the people shou
II have the fullest confidence in all thin
h. connected Herewith, induced him to vis
" the dfferunt sections of his district for tn
a. purpose, and for that he is arranged
n- the "Republican,' because he called up
&C democrats as we'll as Republicans or
OF other words, because he would not sto
,t to recognize party leaders as his on
H. counselers and advisers in what he dee
ed ed the performance of sacred duty.
V. The matter was fully canvassed and t
result laid before the Secretary Of War,
OF Mr.. Stanton deemed it proper 10 appo
r Mr.. Grier, as the Draft Commissioner,
an place of Capt. Frick who had the sal
pt leave to retire, as his predecessor: '
believe the appointment good one,
III Mr.. Grier is competent and worthy I'M
III !, He feels disposed to act, and discharl
'A- his duty without reference to poljti