The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-10-06
From the JohnstoWn Tribune, 30th uIt.
Our Next Congressman.

| We desire this week to call the especial
attention of the Union voters Of this Con-
gressional district to the importance of
being represented in the Councils of the
| Nation by one who is the friend and not
| the foe of the National Administration
the opponent and not the apologist of
| Treason.
Such man is Abraham A. Barker, of
| Ebensburg. From the day when the echo
| of the guns which fired upon Fort Sum-
| ter reached the mountains of Little Cam
bria, Mr.. Barker has manifested zeal
| and energy in support of the Government
and in defense Of the old flag which have
been productive of the most beneficial re-
suits to the good cause, and which have
elected the admiration of all true friends
of the Union who have observed his course.
Through his exertions, many willing vol
unteers have been furnished to the army
from the 'frosty sons" who dwell in tho
central and northern parts of Cambria
| county, and, as consequence, the severity
of the draft has been greatly lessened, as
many an undivided family will cheerfully
| testify. And the interest he has constant
ty taken in the physical welfare of the
men who have gone into the service
through his influence or from among his
neighbors, the pride he has always felt in
their company organizations, and the Wig
lance with which he has invariably guard
ed their rights, who that has belonged to
those organizations can ever forget? We
speak knowingly of these things, ard not
from hearsay. We are personally cogni-
zant of Mr.. Barker's exertions in this di-
rection, and even of pecuniary and other
sacrifices he has made, and have been
amazed alike at the unselfsh patriotism of
the man and the wonderful energy which
it inspired. Few men during this terri
bic crisis in our country's fate have done
more for that country within the limited
sphere of private life than Mr.. Barker.
But it is not alone in his efforts to FL
up the army, and in his almost fatherly
care over those who have gone to the
front from among his neighbors and
friends, that Mr. Barker has manifested
the possession of patriotism rare even in
our day. As the editor Of The AUeghantan
from the commencement Of hostilities up
to the present time, he has been unfalter-
ing in professional devotion to the great
work of restoring the Union, and i. is not
of his editorials have materially aided in
educating public sentiment up to the
highest standard of loyalty aud patriotism.
Not many newspapers have been more
earnest in the uniform advocacy Of a Wig
orous prosecution OF the war than the Eb-
ensburg ANeghanian. And in the discus
sion Of the difficult questions growing out
of the war, the editor of that paper has
shown an acquaintance with the principles
underlying the framework of our iustitu-
tions, an insight into the best methods to
be employed in restoring the Union, and
an abiding faith in the justice of our cause
and in the courage of our people, which
have not been exceeded In our legislative
halls, and which have certainly been with
out parallel in the columns of some more
influential ana more widely circulated Ad-
ministration journals. All honor to the
EDITOR who, iu the dark days that are
now passing away, has never despaired Of
the Republic never allowed the thought
Of dishouorable peace to drop from his
pen
But it is not only because Mr. Barker
is q loyal and patriotic Cambrian, who has
abundautly proved his faith by his works,
that we urge his election upon the voters
Of the district. He is, in addition, in ev-
cry sense Of the phrase, good Citizen
His solid worth is attestcd by the esteem
in which he is held by those who know
him. His popularity is of that kind
Which is based upon the possession of real
merit, and not upon the arts of the pre-
tender or politician. Its extent may be
inferred from the admission Of many frank
opponents, that, in his own home, where
he is best known, he will poll much more
than his party vote. An analysis Of his
popularity would perhaps show that it is
mainly due to the energy, enterprise, and
infiexible honesty which he has manifest
cd in the conduct of his business from the
day when be became resident of our
county. The man who makes two blades
of grass to grow where one grew before is
a public benefactor, and generally meets
his reward in the affection and gratitude
of those he benefits. Mr.. Barker has
made many a wilderness in Cambria coun-
ty to blossom as the rose. He has given
employment and good wages to hundreds
and thousands of laboring men, who, but
for him, would have dragged out miser-
able existence on our bleak hilltops or else
been compelled to leave the county for
more hospitable locality. And not one of
these men has ever been cheated out Of
farthing Indeed, the families of many