Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-08-18
THE LATE WILLIAM BIGLER.


We clip the following from that standard
journal, the Albany IN. " Arg"'
"By the death Of Ex Governor William Bigler,
Pennsylvania loses statesman Of the frat rank
and patriot and a Democrat Of deep devotion
to sound principles lie was born In shermans-
burg, Cumberland county, Pa, In December,
1918. The variety, Importance and continuity Of
his public service have produced the general i'm
preston that he had passed beyond his sixty
seventh year but the mistake was due to the
fact that he was early engaged in Affairs, and did
not leave them soon After solid common school
education, Mr.. Biglor entered printing office
wherein his duties melted him to reflection and
reading, and.gnye him practical knowledge of
public men and public questions, lie not only
rose to the hrst proficiency in his art but he be-
came the founder and wise conductor ofa ster-
ling public journal, the Cieayfeld Democrat,
almost as soon as be became OF age. This
worthy weekly, which is now 40 honored part Of
the press Of the country, Mr.. Bigler disposed Of
In 1911, as his fellow. citizens were plainly de-
manding his services. In that year he was elected
to the Senate Of the State, in which he sat con
tinuously until 1877, part Of the time being
Speaker Of tho body. In 1851 he was elected
Governor Of Pennsylvania for the term Of four
years, and at the close Of that period he was
chosen Senator Of the United States, for the term
expiring March 4, 1861. In tho Senate he served
on the Committees on Commerce, postal affairs
and engrossed bills, and he rose to a high rank o.
debater and statesman. lie was succeeded In
S62 by Edgar A. Cowan, who entered Congress
4 Republican, but who became Democrat on
account Of the fact that the latter party hol in
reality the constitutional principles the Repub.
lcans espoused only TO discard. Mr.. Bigler was
a delegate to the Democratic National Uonven-
tion in Chicago, In 1864, and to the Philadelphia
Union Convention, in 1868, and to the National
Democrats Convention 10 New York, in 1868.
In all of these great bodies he took commanding
part. In 1875 his influence led to his selection
as the fiscal agent OF the Centennial Exhibition,
and though scores Of millions of dollars passed
through his hands, every dollar was spent with
the utmost wisdom. Mr.. Bigler, in later years,
remained In well earned retirement, one Of the
most honored citizens Of his great State. His un-
derstanding was profound bis requirements
were great his eloquence was Of robust but always
refined type his opposition to sectonalism and
corruption was intrepid and lasting; his love Of
his country and its principles was greater than
his love Of life his tastes were elevated and en-
nobling. lie had the respect and affection Of his
fellow men In rare measures. There is no other
Pennsylyanian Of whom 1t could be said so well
as II could be said of this man His action not
only desired and sought the right in politics, but
it also expressed it, The people, when they
agreed with him, were right in motive and wise
in action, and when they did not, their course
was proved by events to have itself been griey-
Gus mistake. The verdict history is likely to
award him is that this Commonwealth erred in
Judgment, whenever 1t did not account his views
and public conduct to be standard for its own.
Had he lived, few Statesmen would have exer-
cised an influence so great on the country, In and
after the change Of parties the country intends
to effect"