The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-29
EBENSBURG. PA, THURSDAY MAR
A Contrast.

In the State Legislature a few days
since, a. series of resolutions with refer
ence to the Reconstruction of the Rebel
States was up for consideration, when
Hon. Samuel c. Wingard, of Lycoming
couaty, member of the House Commit
tee on Federal Relations, gave the follow
ing capital description of the Democratic
part5 -
Sir, it is not my intention to scold the
geEtlemen with whom | sit go comforta-
bly, on this side ot the House, and from
whom | receive so much personal cou~-
tesy, although differing with them in
politics, and who still delude themse
with the belief that they belong to the
old Democratic party. OF that old or
ganization, which once existed, | was an
humble member, voting for Buchanan and
Doug las-hut when the war broke out, |
followed the great Union party banner
and have never regretted the alliance
In fact, [ have found SO many Of the best
and wisest Of the old Democracy with me,
that felt perfectly at home, and to-day,
if were to go back in search Of that
defunct institution, l should be like the
Hebrew woman weeping for her children
because they are not | should seek for
one half of them erouching under the
dirty, defeated rag Of secession, and the
other halt (with many honorable excep-
tions, some of VIII 3U1 | recognize here)
under the flag of the Knights of the Col
den Circle, in active sympathy and coop
Grafton with slavery and heiuous rebellion
which it engendered, or otherwise in open
hostility to the Government which has
brought US through seas of blood to 4
redeemed nationality
''Sir, it Is DO now thing that gentlemen
upon this side oppose amendments to the
Constitution, although the gentleman from
Westmoreland has shown how they have
favored certain kinds of amendments
Why! They say it is calculated to lessen
the respect of the people for that instru-
ment, to change it, Sir, it is scarce two
years since it was proposed to amend the
Constitution of this State so that her citi-
Zens, who had been freemen at home, and
heroic freemen in the field, should exercise
the elective franchise while facing the
storm OF war, as we'll as the patriots, or
c0wafds, or deserters, who remained at
home and we were told the same thing
then, and warned against taupering with
the Constitution. The election came, and
one hundred and five thousand three hun
dred and fifty-two freemen-y free
aohite men, too, calling themselves Demo-
crats-voted to make white soldiers, In
this respect, no better than the blackest
Ethiope, above whose shoulder cleaned,
in peerless contrast, the sheen of the bay
onet. That, sir, was the first vote ever
cast in Pennsylvania in favor of negro
equality, and it was cast without admix-
ture by the Democracy. TO them and
their posterity will belong the honor, until
our chronicles fade into dead language,
far back in the misty oblivion Of the past.
"But, sir, thank heaven better day,
from the signs, appears to be dawning.-
With the return of peace come also con-
triton tor the past and promise Tor the
future. AND | am here to night with
words of encouragement and welcome to
our long-loss prodigals of the Democracy.
kll we ask is true belief and true repeD-
tauce'
''Sir, was gratifed exceedingly last
week, in the other chamber, to learn of
the Senator from Berks, who has been
one of the principal leaders Of the war
peace party for the last four years, that
he endorsed the President. What relief
to that gentleman and his confreres that
they have found new associations With
what disgust must they look back upon
their old cabal of Chieagoi /: Andy
Johnson were to honor this Legislature
now with a CALL how would our Demo
cratic friends vie with each other for a
place upon the reception committee =
How would they press 10 touch the hem
Of his garment! They who, but three
years ago, cried, Away with kim-away. !
with the military usurper--away with the
runkard-away with the boorish tailor
away with all who support or defend
with Butler, the beast--with Grant, the |
laugbterer-with irrepressible conflict
Stanton, the tyrant, the |
Nero of the Cabinet-with Lincoln's hire |
lings away with everything but Wood |
ward, and NJ 'Ciellau, and slavery divinely |
if not divinely ordained ! Sir, |
is there nothing in all this retrospect to |
induce US to welcome the Democracy? |
feel like erecting an altar to my country
here, and inviting the Senate to join us
while we sing the invitation hymn which
has brought thousands to better fold
Come ye sinners, poor and needy, weak
and wounded, sick and sore.' Yes, sir,
would go farther | would call around it
the North and the South, the loyal and
The disloyal Norman and the loyal and