Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-09-14

ded the admission Of Representative. Con
gress claimed to have Jurisdiction over the
whole subject and proceeded to inquire
whether or not governments had been es-
tablished, and whether, under all the cir
cumstances, it would be proper to restore
those rebellious people and States to their
former relations and rights in the Union,
without first imposing some terms upon
them as security for the future?
The great Question is not wetherthe States
themselves shall be restored bat whether
they shall have representation IN Congress
with or without terms. Our political adyer-
saries-Demccrats, rebels and their sym
pathizers, North and South-say without
terms and conditions, and forthwith Congress
By the almost unanimous vote Of all the
members who sustained the war, has pro-
posed sundry amendments to the oonstitu-
ton of the United States, to be submitted
to the State Legislatures for ratihcatIon and
it win be the duty of the Legislature we are
about to elect to approve or dlsapprOve OF
these fundamental changes in the national
constitution These amendments are the
terms fixed by Congress on which the States
lately in rebellion and their people can re-
sumo their practical relations to the national
Union. These terms may be briefly stated
as follows:
l. That all persons born. or paturalised in
the United States shaA be citizens thereof;
and that all citizens shall have equal protee-
ton in the enjoyment Of life, liberty and
property.
?. That representation shall be apportion-
ed among the States according to numbers,
but that classes DISTINGUISHED without cause
shall not be counted in fixing the basis of
Federal representation.
g. That all who are guilty Of treason and
perjury shall be ineligible to office, unless
the disability be removed by two thirds
vote of Congress
4 That the validity of the national obliga-
tions incurred in the war shall not be ques-
toned, and all rebel debts and claims for
slaves shall be void.
The States Of Tennessee, Connecticut and
New Hampshire, by the action OF their sew
eFal legislatures, have already ratified these
amendments by very large maioTities. Our
friends in Congress and out of Congress are
united in the conviction that these terms
are pre-eminently magnanlmous, wise and
Just: that they are the legitimate fruits Of
the war, and essential TO our peace and
security for the future BY the storms Of
civil war some Of the land marks made by
our fathers were taken away. and some Of
the ancient foundations laid by them were
moved. Let US wisely readiust them, 50
that our temple Of liberty may stand upon
the broader and frmer foundation of univer-
sal liberty and impartial justice.
La March, 1866, the Union party assem-
bled IN convention to nominate a candidate
for Governor 1t reaffirmed It's patriotic
principles as proclaimed and fought for du-
ring the right and duty Of Congress to pre-
scribe the terms of reconstruction. TN this
platform Major General ohn w GeaTy was
nominated for Governor by a unanimous
vote. and subsequently his nomination was
enthusiastically endorsed by large and
intelligent Convention Of the Soldiers and
Sailors of the State. He is no obscure
parsonage, but Of the representative men Of
these eventful times. As a civilian he has
filed with ability and distinction many i'm
poFfant public positions requiring Intelli-
gence, discretion and the highest order Of
integrity and administrative ability. He
has been a farmer, a teacher a civil engineer
a lawyer and a manufacturer. He has sery-
ed the people as postmaster and Mayor of
city, as Judge Of court, and as Governor
of territory As a volunteer soldier, he is
tie pride of his comrades, and an honor to
bis State.
He went out from home to the Mexican
ors as the colonel of his regiment He en-
tered the service in the late re0eiliUn as a
colonel and fought it all the way through,
having been promoted to the exalted rank
of major general ''fOr fitness to command
and promptness. to execute. This valiant
and faithful soldier was present at and par
ticipateG in sixty battles, and was four times
wounded in action, but never once defeated.
He made the entire circuit Of the rebel con
federacy, aud fought its authors and defen-
deFs from every State that acknowledged
their usurped authority He has given to
his country his hrstborn son, killed IN battle;
he has perilled his life and shed his blood
for the flag and cause Of our country, and
he bears upon Iis person the honorable scars
from many a well fought field Such Is the
candidate presented for the suffrages Of the
loyal and patriotic voters Of Pennsylvania.
As a competitor the Democratic party has
presented the Hon Hester Clymer He,
too, is a representative man: but ii is of his
party rather than Of his country. His plat
form and his campaign thus far may be sum
mafily compEehended in the phrase: 'Up
with the rebel, and down with the negro.
He isa lawyer By profession, and tits believ-
ed he never held any Office except that of
State Senator His public record, therefore
is short one. and consists entirely Of his
votes and speeches during his Senatorial
career. Bat what term covers the entire
period when the country was torn by DIS
tracing and bloody civil war and when the
State was lavishly contributing hcn blood
and treasure, for her own defense and that
Of the national government. In this
tremendous struggle where did Holster ely
mer stand? And what did he do? He has
made his record, and let it answer.
In 1861, he voted against the bill for the
arming Of the State, and after the news Of
the attack on Fort Sumter had fred the
hearts Of our people, and thousands were
raliying to tie defence Of our insulted flag,
Mr. Clymer caused to be entered upon the
/ Journals Of the Senate his solemn protest
against the bill for arniing the State
In 1862, when reyerses had oyertaken our
armies, and our credit was strained to the
utmost to keep men ia the field, Mr.. ClYmer
voted against the joint resolution providing
for the collection of the taxes levied by the
United States
In 1863. Mr. Clymer voted against the
bill to enable our soldiers aud sailors to vote
when absent in the service
In 1864, he lodged the vote on the pro
posed constitutional amendment allowing
soldiers in the field the right TO vote, and
after said amendment had passed he voted
against the bill to carry it into effect.
He voted against the bib to define and
punish ofenses of a treasonable character,
and against the bill to legalizo the payment
Of bounties 10 volunteers.