The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-05-25
The Reading Convention.


Three weeks ago, we Published General .
Cass's letter to j. d. Hancock, Esq, of Ve- /
mango county, in which he denied his assert
ed connection with the South Improvement
Company whose recent operations produced
such intense excitement in the oil regions.
We then Expressed the hope that this letter
would prove satisfactory to the Democracy
If that section, and that their openly avow>
ed hostility to Gen. Cass would heucsforth
cease. But in this. we regret to say, we
have been disappointed. and an incident
which has since occurred in one of the coun-
ties composing that region satisfies US that
the feeling of opposition to Ge1. Cass is
deep-seated and ireeconciable.
Before the trouble with the South Improve
ment Company commenced, K. u. Brown.
Esq, editor Of the Clarion d. mocrdt, and
gentleman of much prominence in his section,
had been elected representative delegate to
the Reading convention, with instructions to
support Gen Cass for Governor. After the
appearance of the Hancock letter, lie resign
ground, as publicly stated by himself, that
he could not consistently with bis sense of
duty vote for Gen. Cass; whereupon, at
county meeting called for that purpose, an
and instructed TO vote for Gen. A. b. Nc
CaimJnt, of Venango county. Subsequent
to this. Mr.. Brown was chosen Senatorial
delegate from his district, with like instruc-
tious to support General McCalmont. We
attach much importance to these proceed
ings, as furnishing the strongest evidence Of
Democratic sentiment, not only IN Clarion
county, but throughout the entire OF! district.
The Democratic press in the oi! region still
refuses to be comforted by the Hancock let
ter, and still vehemently protests against the
nomination Of Gen. CaSs. In the counties
of Crawford. Venango, Clarion, Erie and
Warren. the Dem ocratic party polled about
eighteen thousand votes at the last Presiden-
tial election. Now. if it is fact. as repre-
sented, and with the evidence before us we
are not at liberty to question it, that this
large Democratic vote cannot under any cir
cumstsuces be polled in favor Of Gen. Cass.
will the State Convention court certain and
inevitable defeat by his nomination. That
is the question, and the turning point in the
October election depends on its decision at
Reading. 1t is of no importance now to dis
cuss the question. whether the Democracy
of the oil regions ought to oppose Gen. Cass.
but it is all important as fact that they dO
noa0 and will continue to oppose him and
will refuse to give him their votes. What
then will the Reading Convention do? Will
it nominate a man merely because it has been
the prevailing sentiment among Democrats
for the last three years that he ought to be
when it is becoming more appa-
rent every day that disastrous defeat will be
the consequence? Are the claims Of Gen.
Cass so Overwhelmingly stroug, that his nom
inatien must be regarded as a sine qua non
hy the convention, while the vital question
of success in October must be looked upon
as consideration of only secondary impor-
tauce2 A democratic defeat in this State at
the October election would DE the certain
forerunner of political rout in November
and for the Convention. being forewarned,
to prepare the way for such
result as that, would not only be a stupend-
Gus blunder. but crime. No Cne membe
Of the party has right to the nomination at
Reading. unless all oMer things are equal
Ii delegates. on the strength of previously
expressed opinions. or on pledges heretofore
given. can willingly shut their eyes to the
feeling that manifestly pervades the Demo,
cratic party in the north western portion of
the State, and will defiantIy butt their heads
against it, as Saymaker's bull rushed against
the advancing locomotive, their rashness
would amount to nothing less than political
insanity. The Success Of the Democratic
nominee for Governor must be placed beyond
all doubt or contingency. and that result
must be secured without regard to the per>
sonal wishes or aspirations Of any one candi-
date.
We have spoken thus plainly, because we
feel strongly and believe it our duty so TO
speak and for the additional reason, that in
the present peculiar condition of political af-
fairs all considerations of merely personal
nature must be cast aside when the triumph
of the Democratic party is the great object
to be achieved.
Tho New York Democracy.