North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-09-19
The Congress Question.


COMMITTED, in view of all our convic-
tions and opinions, against the reelection
of Mercur to Congress,we have looked with
interest if not anxiety upon all movements
and discussion concerning the selection OF
his antagonist, And we are now glad to
announce the probability that Hon. Will
liam Elwell, PresiIent Judge of this judi
cial district, will be named as such with
fair prospect of election. Upon looking
over the whole field, and giving due con-
sideration to the antecedents and views of
men who are to support Union candidate,
no more appropriate and acceptable name
can be suggested. With abilities Of high
order, he has arecord of past service and
| of personal conduct which will recommend
him to all Conservative Union-loving and
patriotic men, whether their associations
have heretofore been with the one or the
other of the great parties of the country.
| Twenty-Five years ago in the Legislature
of Pennsylvania, William Elwell drew our
great statnte which abolished imprisonment
for debt, and which yet stands among the
laws of the Commonwealth a monument of
humanity and of the advancing civilization
of the age.
Four years ago, upon invitation, he came
to this country and settled among our peo-
pie. The invitation was given in the form
of a unanimous election to the office which
he now fills, and which he has adorned by
his learning, dignity and urbanity. He
has become known everywhere in this judi
clal district as just, humane and able Judge,
who has so borne himself in his high Office
| that popular confidence, respect, and at
tachment have concentrated upon him in a
most eminent degree and no one has been
base enough or bold enough to asperse
either his character or his official corduct.
By his training and habits Of a lifetime
| he has become familiar with our laws,
whether State or National, and fitted for
| labor in their enactment or amendment
Congressional duties would be discharged
by him with an intelligence and fide ity
which would leave nothing to desire. Be-
sides, he meets one popular requirement,
now pressing and important, more perfectly
than any man in this Congressional Dis
trict. That requirement is candidate who
stands comparatively free from recent par
tisan contests, and upon whom men who
have been heretofore politically opposed to
each other can cordially unite. The issues
of the hour demand united exertion and
combined effort among all who think the
complete unity of the country essential to
its existence and welfare. And it is expe-
dient, if not neceSsary,to that united action
that those who carry the Union banner in
this new conflict with all that is detestable
and injurious in the world of politics should
command support and inspire confidence
beyond the limits Of any political organiza-
ton.
Judge Elwell has been to a great extent
for some years Withdrawn from participa-
ton in party contests, though an attentive
observer of public events. Before his ele-
vation to the Bench he was not regarded as
an ardent politician, and enjoyed the conf
dence and respect of political opponents as
well as friends AT the present time h
f gives his thorough adhesion to the principle:
announced by the Philade! phia Convention
is devoted to the complete reunion OF the
States, and is content to stand along side o.
men engaged in the redemption of the
) country from ali disunion management, iu
fuence, and control.
We do not think that two thousand i
an unreasonable estimate of the majority
which can be given in this county to VIM
Elweli in contest against the present ms
E representative of this Congressional DIS
trict. bloomsbury Columbian.