EL No. 2418.
TERMS 01 SUBSCRIPTION.
BOM: DOLLAR PER AV.I TI,
IN ADVANCE.
For six months, 75 cents.
XKW subscriptions must be paid in
jvarsce. If the paper is continued, and net
aid WFIII I the first month, $1,25 \V ill be charg-
J • if AO! PAID in three months, $1,50; if not
lid Bs;\ months, $1,75; and if not paid in
Miji,l|pitlii $"2,00.
Afl BPCRS addressed to persons out of the
111 be discontinued :.I the expiration "f
|NBI paid f >r, tmles> special request i- made
or payment guaranteed by some
C9JFCSI de person here.
AUV ERTISING.
TEOFT es OF minion, or their equivalent, con
itilte'-* square. Three insertions sl, and 25
:uts® each subsequent insertion.
'lie West Branch Insurance Go,
OF LOt k li.IVEY, PA.,
Detiehed Buildings, Stores. Mer-
Fartn Property, anil other liuihl
their e nliMits, at moderate rates.
PIRECTORS.
7 R .,: • Peaice, Hon. G. C. Harvey,
I - Abrams,
\i I). K. Jaekman,
fel—F
h,- I\'>
Hon. f ■ < . HAR\ IA Pres.
T, T. ABRAMS, Vice Pres.
i; I.! A. F.S.
Floyd, Titos. Bowntan, 1). 1).
A.-Wiiicgai >lii, r, Wm. \ anderbell,
Wtn. Fear,,n.
Dr. I. S Crawford,
itues fJii-'-h'. 1 pd, grail,
Ma VII 11 1, .fame- \ unstrung,
n
H#X'ent for MitUin count v. 1. \V. STEW
ilCb
y from I.IKS un! Dninasr It} Fire.
I ( 4 >\ Tl\i NT\L
INSURANCE COMPANY.
UnL'''
wiih <i /' / '/ ( inht /*.
< jiital, 000.000.
Wm J Walnut S!. iilioic Second, 1 liila.
Ft re I, -tiratie, on Buildings. Furniture, Mi r
-ene rally .Marine I i sura nee
i - and* Freights to all put-, <<l the
Inland In-uranee oil Goods, Ate., by
< and I.a' d ( 'am .ges, to
fi (Hilt- <-f the I nion, on ttie !iu>-t favorable
IjM : T '" v
Collad ,v, William Powers,
Colem Jos* ph Oat,
iNrin |* M ict.ette, Howard llinchman,
W. COLL Il) \l, President.
Gal fix iv it.- >x. .Secretary.
JSf* Agent fox Mxillin county, Wm. P. F.L
--ID B: F-q febl'l-ly
\CII\ST I.OSS BV F!RF.
'fan Jin l ire iiisiirntH L' ( oinpa-
Iii \ <>t !Mnlatieljilii'i.
,■■ 11 5(. he-tout street, near Fifth.
€ lit of A-u lq 51.527.185 SO
i . .r,••:,),y to an act of Assembly, lie
.ffsl I-,!at>-, present value, $11)9,-
■c-i, ,-9,114 It
lock* present value.l 12,;
71,2212 97
■I., 64,121
tscßtion of property, in Town and Country,
low a- ,r,- eofi-i-lent with security.
lli-i r in- < if p' ilion, a period of t vv.-ulv- f
<'h®P:ir- thev h iv• paid nvcr Three Million 1"
00* ar-' in-- ;.v tire, thereby affording ev
tin rn!> .-itri_'i- of In-uranee. a- well
ability .:iil li ~i~ition to meet with
all I ia'.iilit
Losses bv Fire.
iid iltiriiiix tli(> Mar 1-5 11, £301,638 81
1)1111.( TORS.
. B-j.icker, Mordeeai D. I.ch h,
j David S. Brown,
'.1,1,!. | Daac Lea,
iftoli !. Smith, : Rdward C. Dale,
\ H WCKI'R, President.
I li \ .S" c'
*A_'ei.t f.. r Mi'llin county, 11. J WAL
BB
■S. CAPS & STRAW GOODS
For the People,
ftjl' I III: I'KOI'I.K'S rIIII.DKCX.
I, 'il 10) i2i Ai,
1 Market street, Lewistown, opposite the ;
st Office. lias just returned from the city
large and elegant -lock of Fashionable
"3,CAI'S, STRAW GOODS, i
iiiitable for spring and summer wear, \
notwithstanding the advance: of almost
Oiog else, he will dispose of at low pri
rlis store has been fitted up with large
H with glass fronts, so that the stock can
>*> mined at a glance.
will manufacture to order any descrip
(having the best of workmen in his
aiul an abundant supply of material,)
t.i-i extensive stock fail to furnish a suit-
Parents are especially invited to
tiWri'l examine his variety of Children's Hats
C">iiiprising a first rate stock, from
Wit! they can make choice to please them-
Te 1.
■ Dmish friends w ill find they are not for-
and they may re.st assured of finding an
to their taste, or cari have one made at
>Kiikful for the patronage heretofore so lib
' xtended to him, he solicits his friends to
indebted to square up and begin
f-ftrid any number of visitors from this or
counties, to take a look at him
N. J. RUDISILL.
■ > Hnfi'innri's- for Tubs
I ''' Hoffman'* for f.'hnrns
' 1 1 ttniluißn', i ,, r |j i(.ke13
'■ Hoffman's for Brooms
t'i Hoffman' a for Baskeis deel 1
aPßsUsr-iasi® ASJIS jpOTg&nsHiteia avr ®i§@iu,<Bia mswassFQWSs missnrsg s>-Lo
A OAED.
To the Citizens of Lewistown and Vicinity.
rpHANKFUL for past favors of a generous
h public, we respectfully solicit a continuance
of the same. We have just returned from the
East with a large assortment of
Ohcttncnls, Dyeslujfs, Oils, Faints, ] artits/us,
Brushes, JVrf'umery, Fancy Goods, Fat
ad Mediants, Fury oat Instruments,
Trusses, Shoulder Unices, t c.
Also Alines, Brandies and Liquors of all
kinds lor m'edicinal purposes.
I o the ladies we would say that our assort
ment ot Perfumery, Ihtir Brushes, Dressing Combs,
Cosmetics, Toilet Soaps, and a fine article of Bay
Rum —is unexcelled in Lewistown.
for the gentlemen we have Porte Monthlies,
of a variety ol patterns, I'oeUet fin ires. Sharing
Brushes, Sluicing Soaps, Ac , in great variety.
We have also a superb lot of imported Stgars.
for the siek and a 111 i c-1 erf vvc have a "balmfor
en ry wound."
Country Merchants can he supplied with any
articles m our line at city prices. Ail goods
warranted to be as lepresented.
Prescriptions carefully compounded.
I hysicians' orders promptly filled at the usual
discount. J. D. STUN FRO A I),
may 24 BEE HIVE DRUG STOKE.
TO HI ILDFRS All) CARI'EYTERS.
JLai XT IVX 33 33 1-1 !
Wm. 13. Hoffman & Co.
\T their (.umber Yard on East Third street,
Lewistown, near the Presbyterian Church,
have received, and are now teceiving, in addi
tion to their large stock of well-seasoned I .urn
he r—
-2 > DUO ft panel Boards & Plank, from ' to 2 in.
1(1,00(1 It first common Boards
50.000 It second common Boards
20,000 ft i inch Boards
15,000 ft Sidings
2,000 light 4 of Sash, various sizes,
70.000 Plastering Lath, all sizes.
Plain Sidim; and ready worked Flooring,
I b mloek Joists
Seaniling, 21x4, 4x5, 4x6, 6x6.
Lap and Joint Shingles and Shingle Lath al
ways on hand.
fTJ""*Doors, Shutters, Blinds, and SaMi made
to order.
All orders thankfully received and promptly
attended to. ina\2l
LCC-AIT rCTJITIDRY.
'j , 11 E public are hereby respectfully informed
| that we have leaed the above well kr.ovvri
Foundry, -ituate on Main i-lreet, in lfit- borough
of Lewistown, a lew doors south of the stone
bridge, where we w ill keep constantly on band
Vt>t a IJ " tmerit of all kinds of ST' V" ES,
Tjljviz ; Hathaway Cooking Stoves, different
-izes, Egg Stoves, .Sine Plate Stoves, vkc.
and also
Iri ii Frnrf. Holluu Ware, Alatcr Pipes,
Ac., and vv ill make to order all kinds of CAST
-1 MIS. All orders sent to us w ill be filled with
care end despatch, and on as reasonable tcinis
as at any other establishment ir the State. We
hope, IViends, you vviii call and examine our
stock before buying anywhere else. You will
undoubtedly -ave money l>\ doing so.
"DANIEL BEABLEY A SONS,
i.t vvistown, March 26, 1 c 57 -y ,
Selling Gff at Cost!
\S times aie hard and money scarce the sub
scribers wish to reduce their stock, and
will sell their present assortment of eastern
work, consisting of
BOOTS AND SHOES,
bent , Ladies. Boys and Youth's baiters,
(hildren's Shoes, &t.
AT COST,
for cash onlv. All kinds of goods in their line
in a tie to order of the best material and warran
ted .
a Also, a large assortment of Home-made
Work now on hand, which will be. sold at the
lowest priei The attention of the public i
invited to the above, as the eastern work will
be off'.-red at ,-ucli prices as to defy competition.
All person- indebted to u- will please call
and make payment immediately, or the next
notice to many will be sent through the hands
of the constable.
je 18 JOHNSON & CLARKR.
Pennsylvania Railroad.
ON arid after Monday, June 22J, 1857,
trains leave Lewistovvn Station as follows:
Eastward. If esticard.
Kxpress, 5 14 a. m. 5 40 a. m.
Fast Line, 10 47 p. m. 729 p. m.
Mail, 104 " 304 "
Through Freight, 5 00 " 1 50 a. m.
Immigrant, 5 00 " 3 25 "
Kxpress Freight, 5 00 " 10 15 "
Local " 7 25 " 12 40 "
Fare to Harrisburg, #1 50; to Philadelphia,
4 20: to Altoona, 1 75 ; to Pittsburgh, 4 70
JTjr*The Ticket Office will be open 20 ruin
utes before the arrival of each Passenger
Train D. E. ROBESON, Agent.
risk's
\ Or. "NfiM-fTT!" (•*
METALI.IG BURIAL CASES,
AIK-TIGHT A\l) IARFSTKI CTIBLE,
For protecting and preserving the Dead lor or
dinary interment, for vaults, fear transport
ation, or for any other desirable purpose.
E or sale at the new Furniture rooms, under
j the Odd Fellows' Hall, bv
ANTHONY FELIX.
New Arrangements.
\E TT.R returning our sincere thanks to our
numerous friends and customers for their
continued patronage, 1 would inform them ihat
i am still to be found at
With a desire to bring my business nearly to
CASH, after the first of April our credit terms
i will be Thirty Days and accounts not to exceed
! Fifty Dollars. VVe hope still to conduct our
business so that we shall enjoy the good wi!
of our numerous customers, and that the num
ber mav be, greatly increased,
mor I*2 F. J. HOFFMAN.
GROCERIES. -
,IJ liny Cheese at Hoffman's
Itny Stngar at Hoffman's
liny Molasses at Hoffi m *
Buy Teas, Sec., at Hoffman's
ssnisawa iLii-Si.
1> v . virtue of sundry writs of Fi. Fa., Vend.
) Exp., l'luries Vend. Exp., Levari Facias,
l'luries Levari Facias, and Alias Levari Fa
cias, issued out of the Court of Common
Pleas of MifHin county, and to me directed,
will he exposed to sale by public vendue or
outcry, at the Court House in the borough of
Lewistown, on
Saturday, August 1, 1857,
at one o'clock in the afternoon, the following
real estate, to wit:
A lot of ground situate in Lilleyville, De
catur township, MifHin county, containing
about 21 acres, inure or less, bounded on the
west by land of Samuel P. Lilloy, north by
Yanzant, east, by Susan Sigh r, anil south by
public road loading from Lilloy's mill to
Kreps' saw mill. S,-i/. 1, taken in execution
and t<i be sold as the property of John A. S.
Youth/.
All that tract of laml situate in Oliver town
ship, MifHin county, bounded by the Juniata
river, lands of Augustine Wakefield and oth
ers, containing seventy-one acres, one hun
dred and fitty-six perches - , more or less,
with a small frame house and other im
provements thereon erect'-d. Seized, ta
ken in execution and to ho sold as the
property of John I . ( 'r, sw-!l, Loriiitil C'nsy-
Wi/t, widow of Mieh,o I Crisswe/I, die'd. iiiid
James (Jrisswe//, tiiiucdmn <>t th*' miliar chil
dren of Michael Orisswe/t, deed.
ai.su.
All that certain lot of ground situate, lying
and being in the borough of MeVovtown,
MifHin county, whcre< n is erected a two->torv
frame dwelling le-u.-e, brick store house and
frame stable, hounded by .Market street on
the west. John street i n the north, Sarah al
ley on the east, arid by lot No. 2.4 on the
south, and known in the genera! plan of s :i h]
borough as lot No. 24. S"i/s d, takTn in exe
cution and to be sold as the property of John
11. St-wart an J Alexander I'. Owens, with nn
tire to trie tern !■ aunts.
1.80,
A tract of land, situate in I nion township,
.MifHin county, containing forty • iglu ,„ !i
be the same more or less, about thiitv-fivi
acres of which is cleared and under cultiva
tion, with a dwelling house, barn, i irj mter
shop, and other improvements thereon erect
ed, adjoining lands of Nancy Voder, Oliver
Campbell and Henry Brindle. .Seized, taken
in execution and to be s Id as the property of
John Mat- - r.
A I.SO,
A lot of ground, situate in the west ward
in the borough of Lewistown, MifHin county,
fronting (50 feet, more or less, on Market
street, and extending back 200 feet, more or
less, to an alley ; hounded on the south by an
alley, on the, east by a lot of Mrs - , llardt, on
the north hy .Market street, and on the west
by other lot of /.aeiiariah Orner; with a
frame house and other improvements thereon
erected.
Also, ono other lot of ground, fronting 30
feet, more or less, on Market street, and ex
t-'ttding back 2tMJ feet, more or less, to an al
ley ; bounded on the south bv an alley, east
by other lots ot /achariah < truer, north by
Market street, and west by lot ■ t .the ln-irs of
Francis 'rhompson, dee'd: with a small frame j
building and other improvements) thereon
erected. Seized, taken in execution and to ;
be sold as the property of Za< /an nth Orucr.
ALSO,
The undivided half of a lot of ground, sit
uate in the borough of MeYoytown, Mitllin
county, fronting on Market street 53 feet 7
inches, and 214 feet in depth, bounded on the
south and east by two fourteen feet alleys, on i
the north by lot of John Hainan and George
11. Calbraitb, and on the west by Market
street, and known in the general plan of said I
borough as lot .\ . 21. with two small frame
offices and other improvements thereon erect- '
ed.
Also, till that c -tain undivided one-half
part of a lot of ground, situate in the borough
of McYeytown, on the north west corrnr of
Water and John street in the said borough,
bounded on the east by Water street, on the ;
south by John street, on the west by the ;
Pennsylvania Canal, and on the north by
heirs uf James McDonald, dee'd; with alarg
two story briek store ro <:n and dwelling house,
kitchen and other improvements thereon
erected. Seized, take n in execution and to
be sold as the property of IVui. J. McCoy.
A certain piece or parcel of land, situate
in the borough of Lew i-town, hounded on the '
west by lot of Davis Dates 2U3 feet, more or
less; on the north by Llizabeth street 08 feet, 1
more or less; on the east by a fourteen feet j
alley, &c.; on the south by lots of John It.
Weeks, composed of lots NDs. 4, 21, 25 A 20 j
in the general plan of said borough extruded;
whereon are erected a foundry, foundry house,
machine shop, carpenter -Imp, pattern house, j
wood shed and coal house, together with one
steam engine, live turning lathes, one drill, ;
and all other fixtures and machinery thereto :
attached. '
Also, all that lot of ground, situate in said
borough, bounded on the east by Main street,
on the south by Water street, on the north by
lot now or lately owned by Francis Me.tJoy, s
and on the west by the lot now or lab ly own- |
ed by William Jennings, (a 14 f i t al ey be
ing between,) containing in width tiG feet and
8 inches, and in length 210 feet, being parts
of lots numbered 22, 23, 24 and 25 in the
general plan of said borough ; whereon are i
erected two large two story frame buildings,
weatherboarded and painted white, with oth- I
er buildings and improvements.
Also, one other lot of ground, situate in
the west ward in the borough of Lewistown,
bounded on the north by lot of Reuben Ship
ton, on the east by a ten feet alley, on the
south by lot of James H. Martin, wost by
public road leading front Third street to and
past James McCurdy. fronting 30 feet, more '
or less, on said road, extending back 111 feet,
j more or less. Seized, taken in execution and
, to he sold as the property of* Ihuivl Zaylcr.
t ALSO,
All those three tracts of land surveyed in
the name of Jacob Bstrr, Thomas AV bite and
Jacob Wert/, or Wit/.er or Witze, situate on
the waters o| Minehart's run and its ti 'huta
i ries, in the towns' p of Granville, .Mifflin
j county, containing in the whole twelve hun
! <lrod and thirteen acres and seven perches
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1857.
and allowance, more or less, with a frame
saw mill thereon erected. Seized, taken
in execution and to be sold as the property ul
William 11. fnrin.
AI.SO,
All that certain tract of land situate in
Granville township, MifHin county, bounded
and described as follows: Beginning at a
poplar, thence by the James Black survey
south 45 degrees, west 3171 perches to a pine;
thence hy Christian (lettig arid J. Thompson
surveys south 4*> degree*, east 225 perches to
a black oak; thence by the Hubert Gray sur
vey north 45 degrees, east 277 perches to a
maple ; thence by tho Thomas Maberry and
1 lionias \\ hite surveys north osd.'"rce*, west
228 perches to the place of beginning; con
taining 418 acres and 4t> perches neat meas
ure, more or lets, being n tract of land .-;Vr
veyed in pursuance of a warrant to John By
ers, dated 26th November, 179'].
-I'm, one other piece, parcel or tract of
hind adjoining the above tract, beginning at
stones on line <>t the Thomas White tract;
tin nee south 4-> degrees, we-t !]2>s perches to
rock oak on line of Christian Gettig tract;
thence south 4 degrees, east 104 perches to
a post formerly a corner of John Byers' tract;
'hence north 4 > degrees, east 2317-1 perches to
the place of beginning: containing 212 acres
and i Id perches m at measure, more or less,
being part ot a tract of land surveyed in pur
snanee of a warrant to James Black, dated
'-oth November, 1/93. Seized, taken in exe
cution and to he sold as the propetty of 11 77-
/inm 11. Irwin.
JACOB Ml 1 1 HERSBOI t; 11. Sheriff.
Sherifl BOffice, Lewistown, duly 16, 1857.
N It Pun-!m-ers at I tir al> v.. sli. i ill's stiles le re
In iK.i fie.l t!tai tile annum! ~f the sales will be reijuireil
lo be p:t ... in all i . iuiiiir ili.Celv in 1 lie property being
kn.e keil itoivn, or it w ill be |..rlliu lib resold to the liitili
>• bidib r .1 >i.
Register's Notice.
r EMIi. following accounts have been exam
1, in. d and p.i> e>l by me, and remain filed
of record in tins offic i n - inspection of Heirs,
legatees, ( i cditors, and all oriier • in any way
iiiteie-t. f, and will he pr<tited to the next
I 'i i ban- • ourf of the county of Mifflin, to
he held at the C in: !!■ use in Lewistown, an
I HI K.SI'A i . the oiii uay of August, 1857,
1 >r allowance and Cniiiirmatiou :
1. I'll" account of C. Hoover, Ib-q., and
Hannah (J. flimnpsun, Administrators of
Francis Tiiompson, deceased, late of Gran
ville tow imliip.
2. Tho account of William A. .Mc.Martigle,
(■ iaidi.ui of Gh tries Marks, minor child of
Jacob Marks, deceased,
25. iiie account of Thomas S'frottp. Admin
istrator iif the estate of Andrew Summers,
late of Brown township, deceased.
4. 1 lie account of Christian Hoover, Jr.,
Administrator of the estate of Dr. Lewis
Hoover, late of the borough of Lewistown,
deceased. JAMES McDOWKLL,
Register.
Register's Office, Lewistown, )
July 8, 1857. j
List of Causes
For Trial at August Term t. !>. IS.'iT.
•No. T. Year.
Ohns. ('..licit, ex'r Agnes Sterrett
John McDowell. Jee'd, Apl. 1855
Ovcrhoitzer & Sink \s. S. A < \
Ale at.der, 20 " 1850
(tank of Lewistown for use Ac vs.
W. It. Johnston A Jos. Milliken
sur. j.r's of W. I! John-ton A. Co. 57 Aug. 1852
J. It. Aril vs. Wm. Wilson, 132 " 1853
8. < J rah am vs. Kiting, Graff Ac 0.102 Apl. 1855
1). '/rigler. Endorsee Ac. for use
vs. Irwin A McCoy. 67 Aug 1855
J. D. Scully vs. J. Sterrctt & Co. 26 Nov. 1855
Wm. J. Steel vs. Directors of the
Poor of Mifllin countv, 52 Jan. 1856
Daviu A A Eliza J McNabb vs.
S. tiiimoie's cx'rs, 63 Apl. 1856
F. M. Bell, Endorsee Ac. vs. 11.
A. Scholl, 23 Jan. 1857
C. Brntton, adin'r of C. Miller,
vs Daniel Drought, ex'r, 26 Apl. 1854
Jos. Swift vs. James Qtiiulan, 28 Nov. 1856
11. J. WALTERS, Prothonolary.
Proth'y's Office, la wi-town, July 15.57-
"OTICE.—We, tlie undersigned, give notice
agreeably to the laws of Petin.-ylvania, that
we intend making application to the next ses
- ion ol the Legislature of Pennsy Ivania for the
incorporation of a Batik, to be located in the
Bur 'High of Lewistown, county of Mifflin, and
State aforesaid, under the name, style and title
of " Tin: JIIFFLIY tOl ATY BA\K" —issue
t 1 l>e secured by bond and mortgage on real es
tate, to lie appraised hv five men appointed by
the Governor at three-fourths its cash value,
and joint and separate liability ol all the Stock
holders—to have General Banking and Dis
counting privileges, with a Capital of two bun
dled thousand dollars, and the privilege of in
creasing it to four hundred thousand dollars.
Win. Thompson,
John McDowell, Jr.,
Charles Najrinev,
And. MeKarl ine,
Davis Rates,
\Y . R. Ed,
Francis MM "lure,
J oho ('. Sigler.
Lewi-town, June 22, 1857. je2s-6m
iii Dim Ail]) 3W13
AT RE DICED PRICES!
fIMIE subscribers, finding that they cannot do
business on the present credit system, would
inform their friends and the public that they
are determined to
their prices, and sell for CASH alone, without
exception. The entile stock of Lastern work
now on hand will be sold at COS I , -and home
made work of all descriptions will be sold at
nearly the OLD RATES, as by selling for cash,
only the per centage for interest and loss will
be thrown off and prices made nearly as low as
; when stock w as cheap.
Our friends will please bear the above in
mind, and not put us to the disagreeab' neces
sity of refusing them credit. All persons iti
-1 deiited to us w ill please pay up immediately,
i and those having claims present them for set
tlement. " JOHNSON & CLARKt.
July 16, 1857.
riMIE best improved il\t ROISTERS in use,
X ROPES, PULLEYS, &c., all of which we
w ill sell lower than they can be had for else
j where. jell E. G. FiIANCISCUS.
fflnaiitMaiQia.
rroni the llolliday-burK Itegister.
Letter from Hon. David Wilmot.
HOLI.IOAYSBURO, Fa., May 5, 1857.
II at. David Wilmot, Towanda, I'a.:
i Sii: —At a regular meeting of the Ameri
can State Council held in Altoona, on the 15th
of April last, it was Resolved, That a com
i mittee of five members be appointed to solic
i it from the candidates put in nomination by
the Convention held at Ilarrisburg on the
25th of March, their views in regard to the
principles of the American party.
In pursuance of the foregoing resolution the
undersigned were appointed said Committee.
Jons BROTH EKUXE,
J Oil V COVODE,
IJ. M'MURTRIE,
J 7S . POWER,
GEO. YV. PATTO.V.
You will please give us categorical answers
to the following interrogatories, which em
brace the principles of the American party,
to which your attention >s desired:
1. Do you hold that in the election or ap
pointment of all officers native born Ameri
cans should be preferred.
2. Are you in favor of the protection of
American labor, American rights, and A AVer
ican interests?
3. Are you in favor of the purification of
the ballot box, a reform in the naturalization
laws, the enactment of a registry law, and tbe
prohibition of foreign paupers and convicts
landing upon our shores?
4. Are you opposed to any interference of
church hierarchies in politics?
5. An i you in favor of Free Schools for the
education of all classes, with the Bible as a
text book used therein?
With great respect, w<* remain,
7 our humble servants.
JOHN BROTIIERI.INE, Chairman.
REPLY.
TOWANDA, July 10th, 1857.
Gentlemen:—Your letter of the sth of May
came to hand during the sitting of my Courts,
immediately on the close of which I left home,
and returned only a few days since. This
must be my apology for not earlier having
responded to your communication.
1 am requested to answer certain interrog
atories propounded to me in pursuance of a
resolution ol the late Convention held at Al
toona.
i'lie history of our State establishes a ,
wise and safe policy in respect to the point j
embraced in your fir.it interrogatory, it will
be found rare indeed, that any but native
bcWi citizens, have held high official station
either in the Ms cutive or Judicial depart
ments of our State Government; and the j
same class, with comparatively few ex
eeptions, have tilled the seats of our Legis- ;
lative Halls. The naturalized citizen cannot j
complain that this traditional policy should be
preserved. There is nothing in it intolerant
or prescriptive: nor will the enlightened and j
patriotic citizen of foreign birth so regard it. !
it imposes no legal d squalitication. It takes
from him no right. Official station of right ,
belongs to no man. W iiiie I would adhere j
t ) this policy as one of wisdom and patriotism, (
no American who properly appreciates his j
responsibilities, w old negieet an inquiry into |
the character and litness of candidates presen- i
ted lor his suffrage: nor could he, without be- ]
traya! of the best interests of his country,
disregard the claims of principle involved in j
his choice. Thus occasions may arise, when
an enlightened and faithful discharge af duty •
would demand our suffrages for the naturali
zed citizen, in preference to une born on our
soil, i'nderstanding the spirit of your first
proposition as not inconsistent with the views .
here expressed, 1 yield it my cordial assent.
Are you in favor of the protection of Amer- !
ican labor, American rights, and American ;
interests'/
To this, your second interrogatory, I shall
content myself with a simple affirmative an-I
swer.
The matters embraced in your tlib'd inter
rogatory are of the first importance, and de
mand the most serious consideration of the
patriot and statesman. The boldness and
success with which frauds are perpetrated ;
upon tho ballot box have become alarming,
and unless promptly and effectually checked,
must en 1 in subversion of our system of free
government. TUe Jurms of Liberty 11103* re
main, but only as a cheat and mockery, gloss
ing over as cruel a despotism as ever cursed
a people. 1 would sustain with my whole
strength, any and every measure wisely devi
sed, to preserve the pui it}* of our popular elec
tions. Wilful fraud upon the ballot box is
moral treason against Republican Govern
ment; and nil duly convicted of being con
cerned therein, in addition to other penalties,
should be disqualified from holding office or
exercising the elective franchise.
Doubtless our naturalization laws could be
so amended as to aid in securing purit}' and
fairness in our elections; but we mu.-t not
weaken our State sovereignty by looking to the
General Government as the great source of
reform in this matter. It belongs exclusive
ly to the States to regulate this whole ques
tion of suffrage—to prescribe the qualifica
tions of electors —to provide safeguards
against frauds, and inflict punishment for as
saults upon the integrity of the ballet box.
Our own Stat too early or vigorously
exert its constitutional power in respect to
these matters, vital as they are to liberty and
the existence of free goverment.
It has ever been a source of just pride to
the true American that his country opened
an asylum for the oppressed of ever}' land.
God forbid that we should be so ungrateful
I for Ilis blessings, as to refuse to share them
with the honest and industrious of whatever
; clime or country; but it is an outrage upon our
! hospitality, and a violation of international
I law, for the Governments of the Old World to
ship cargoes of criminals and paupers 011 our
shores. Our Government cannot be too vig
i'ant in guarding our rights in this respect.
To your fourth interrogatory 1 answer that
1 1 am opposed to the interference of Hierar
chies in politics. The office of a Christian
Mi'-.-, r i- second to 110 other in dignity and
responsibility. 1 .vould not detract from hi>
; functions, or impair the respect due to his
| character. 1 acknowledge his right, and as
New Series—Vol. 11, No. 38.
a teacher of the people, I believe it to be his
duty to speak openly and fearlessly against
social and political evils, destructive of pub
lic morals and at irar with the interest and
happiness ol mankind. In thus publicly
if he transcends the proprieties of
i.ia p.acc and ofFce, a corrective is found
m the censure of an enlightened public. But
that a Priestly Order, invested by the Laity
with a mysterious sacerdotal character—with
pretensions to extraordinary spiritual power
—bound together by strong tics, and ac
knowledging as their head a foreign Poten
tate—that such an Order should enter tho
field of politics, control our elections and in
fiuenco the policy of our government, is sure
ly cause for alarm, and should awaken tho
jealous vigilance of the American people. Jt
will probably be denied that any such liierar
chia! influence is brought to bear in our elec
tions. We should judge with candor, and
n it condemn without proof.
M c see the American people divided on a
momentous issue. 1 lie principles of human
freedom or bondage are brought in direct con
flict. Man's inalienable right to life and lib
erty is denied, l'he doctrine is openly assert
ed by those who hold the government in their
hands, that Hod created the mass of mankind
to be slaves. In the heat of this great strug
gle we see the 6tronge.st„ties severed—the an
cient political parties of the country broken,
and men of every nation and faith divided,
save one. '1 he votaries of one church alone
are united in political actiou. This unity in
the nvi-dsft of otherwise universal division, is
truly most remarkable. From Maine to Tex
as—from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean—
city, town and hamlet—under what
evi-r^birouinstances placed, or by whatever
influences surrounded, we find the votaries of
tlii- church arrayed in political action r>a the
side of slavery. This cannot arise from an
intelligent assent to the principles of slavery;
because those principles would reduce ninety
nine out of every hundred of ti;ese men to
tin- condition of slaves. Whence are we to
look for the cause of this unity among so
many hundreds of thousands scattered over
so wide a surface?
We find the votaries of the Catholic Church,
as a class, among the least enlightened of our
population, and thus in a condition to yield a
ready obedience, in all things, to an authori
ty which they have been taught to respect as
ot God s appointment. The church of their
taith advances high and extraordinary claims.
It is the only true Apostolic and Catholic
church. It is infallible in doctrine—miracles
continue to be wrought within its holy com
munion—its head is the Vicegerent of God
on earth, and successor of the Apostle to
whom was entrusted the keys of heaven. It
is a pure hierarchy. The laity have little or
no power, all authority being concentrated in
the Priesthood. Again 1 a>k, whence this
unity in }>' ideal action among the votaries of
this church, when every other denomination
of Christians is divided? In seeking for au
answer to this inquiry, all men will look to
the source where the power resides. When
tho votaries of the Church of Rome shall ex
hibit, in our political contests, the like diver
sity of views and action that is seen among
all other classes of our people, then, and not
till then, will the public mind be relieved
from tiie suspicion that bierareliial influences
are misehieveusly at work in our politics.
It is idle to evade the point, by labored ef
forts in defence of religious freedom and the
rights of conscience. No assauit is made
upon either. The largest liberty—the broad
est toleration, is conceded in matters of re
ligious faith and worship. The ground of
complaint lies here—that a hierarchy, invest
ed with peculiar sanctity and powers in the
eyes of the Laity, should etjf:rt a spiritual in
fluence to control our elections, and give to
the policy of our Government a direction ad
verse to the wishes of a majority of the peo
ple, not within the sphere of such influence.
No intelligent man w ill question the fact, that
the late Presidential election was controlled
by the united Catholic vole. If the adherents
of that church had been divided in their votes,
as were all the Protestant sects of our coun
try, the present administration would never
have had an existence. The Slave Power,
to day, would not be master of our govern
ment —promulgating its abhorrent doctrines
through our judicial tribunals—undermining
the sovereignty of the States, and boldly
trampling down the clearest constitutional
rights of the citizen.
It is also apparent to every intelligent ob
server, that the same unity in the Catholic
vote is relied upon as the main support of
our opponents in the coming State election.
With these undeniable facts before us, can it
be said that there is uo ground for the strong
conviction in the minds of the American
people, that hierarchal influences not only
interfere in our politics, but actually control
our elections? If the Protestant sects of our
country presented the same unanimity in op
position to the pro-slavery Democracy, that
the Catholic church dees in its support, our
opponents would not be slow or measured in
their denunciation. Indeed, the chiefs and
press of that party assail with gross vituper
ation such Protestant Christian ministers as <g>
openly in the lace of day, denounce from the
sacred desk the crimes of slavery, and insist
upon the sanctity of the marital and parental
relations. In them, it is a grievous offence,
to proclaim, iu connection with slavery, the
great essential truths of Christianity—that
God is the Creator and Father of all men—
that he made of one flesh all the nations of
the earth—that Ue is no respecter of persons,
but holds in equal love all his children; and
that he will require of every one the obser
vance of his righteous law; "All things what
soever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them.'' This alliance be
tween tin ancient and powerful church and
the slave interest of America is the more re
markable, when we consider the fact that .'.a
early and authoritative teachings of that
Church are in condemnor! n of slavery
How loua this strange alliance is to continue
I knew m, t. llow long it is to be successful
is for the Araer can people to decide.
To your fifth interrogatory. 1 answer—that
lam iu favor of tree schools tor the e cation
of' ail classes: and am opposed to any exclu
sion of the Bible therefrom.
Respectfully yours, D. WILM<tT.
To Jons BROTTIF.RUNE. Ksq., CHAIRMAN, c.