Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-11-17
a Democratic Opportunity.

Crawford county was, only a few
years ago, one of the most reliable Re
publican counties in the State. In
early days it was strongly impregnated
with the anti-slavery sentiment and
one of the underground railways
which transported the runaway slave
from bondage to freedom ran through
unfortunate creatures. The early
HuidelIoper, Dick, Church, Richmond
and other families of that town were
among the leading, most intelligent
and high-toned Of any in northwestern
Pennsylvania and the refining infiu-
ence which went out from their sur
rorrdings was felt in every rook and
corner Of Crawford county. When
the great breakup in political parties
came which was caused by the South
ern rebellion and the war following it,
Crawford lined up among the staunch
Republican counties of the country
Up to to the time that Joseph C. Sibley
began his pOpulistic career and branch
ed out for Congress, Crawford county
was as certain to give from 1900 to 5000
Republican majority, according to the
Importance Of the election, as election
day was to come. Six years ago he
concocted q scheme to be called as q
candidate for Congress in the Erie
Crawford district by a lot Of Republi-
can malcOntents, the same game which
he played in this district this fall. He
1,-ss
as he did here Following the inagu-
ration of his campaign came the pros
titution and debauchery Of q people
such as was never before witnessed in
this section of the country. News
papers were bought TO sing his praises
and whole communities We're purchased
like so many sheep to blat for 'Honest
joe In that campaign he defeated
Dr. T. L. Flood a brilliant man and an
estimable gentleman. In the next
Congressional fight he was defeated by
Matthew GrisWold, of Erie, and two
years later by John G. Sturtevant, Of
COnneautville. IN both contests the
large majority he received in Craw-
ford was overcome in Erie county.
What has been the the result of this
mans influence in Crawford county?
1t has become irredeemably Demo
cfatlc. me laSt Legislature contained
solid delegation of Democrats in the
lower House and this year another
delegation of similar character is elect.
ed over three of the most worthy men
in that county. A Democratic Con-
gresham is elected in the Goth district
because the Democratic vote of Craw-
ford exceeds the Republican vote of
Erie by IS. And this cannot be at
tributed to Mr.. Sibley being factor in
that fight, for he was not, only as the
influences of the past might be felt.
The Democrat elected is a Mr.. CASTOR,
of Meadyille, a man of mediocre abili-
ties. Instead of Crawford county being
classed among the Republican counties
of the State it must hereafter take its
place in the Democratic column as
good for thousand majority. Mr..
Sibley transferred his operations to
the 9th district this year and no sooner
was it known that he contemplated
doing SO, than the ears of every dead
beat, every man whose principles are
for sale to the highest bidder every
man who has no confirmed prin ciples
on any subject and every man who
has no business but politics, were
thrown wide open to hear how much
he could grab of the swag.-Kane Re-
publican.