The Columbia Democrat. (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, December 28, 1839, Image 2

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    FEDERAL SAGACITY.
" O, Thaddy S. 0, Johnny D.,
We feds inarrh bravely on
"And the next President is for to bo
" V, H-e-n-r-y H-a-r-r-i-s-o-n
" East, west, north and south our huz
za we'll send,
'Till wa inske the mob staro nt the He
ro of North Bend."
Numorcial strcngh to elect a Prcsidont
of the United States, in a fair and open
contest, the federal patty know they do not
possess. 1 nor only hope is an artihce, to
which they owe all the power they havo
ever gained in the states. Having seen the
democratic party successful with Gen. Jack
son as their candidate, they, with a fatuity
that characterizes all their political move
ments, at once ascribe his popularity to his
military fame, ami in casting about tor a
candidate themselves, settle upon an ob
ecure county clerk because lio had once
worn epaulet ts and been a eeneral ! Not
a member" of their parly believe Gen. Har
rison to bo qualified for the office of presi
dent, nor to posses talents at all compara
ble with Mr. Clay s. 1 hey can give no
other reason for the selection, except their
belief that Gen. Harrison will bo popular;
because Gen. Jackson was, and that the li
on akin will prove such a disguise, that the
people cannot discover under it the weak
ness and incompetency of their " availa
ble." Gen. Harrison's career has been a down
ward one. He enjoyed all the advantages
which birth,, education and wealth, could
confer. His family influence made him a
Governor and Major General in early life;
but when deprived of this, ho had not na
tive talent sufficient to prevent him from
sinking into that utter obscurity, from which
ho was dig up by certain federal tacticians
in search of an available" candidate for
Presidency ! Thus incapable of manag
ing his own private affairs, he is presented
to the American people as a person snila
bio lo take charge of the affairs of the na
tion ! The statesman-like and talented
Clay is thrust aside to make toom for the
mimic hero!
Though Gen. Jackson was loudly de
nounced by the federalists a " Military
Chieftiuu, unfit and dangerous to be en
trusted with civil power," yet they now
concentrate their forces upon Gen. Harrison
and vociferate as lustily in favor of him as
they did formerly against Gen Jackson.
The reason of this marvellous change is eas
ily explained. The federal parly ha"e
been distinguished for their " easy virtue,'
since the days Gen. Harrison wore a black
-cockade, and supported old John Adams
and the alien and sedition laws.
This same cunning federal party saw tho
overwhelming popularity of Gen. Jackson,
and they must iiave a General too. They
cast round for a tool and found one in Gen.
Harrison, distinguished alone for his imbe
cility and unpopularity at home, whose
whole life has been devoted to their service.
Gen. Jackson was called " Old Hickory"
and they in imitation, dubbed Harmon
" Old Buckeye." Gen. Jackson was de
nominated tho " Hero of Now Orleans"
straightway Gen. Harrison is brought on
the stage as the mimic " Hero of North
Bend! ! 1" Gen. Jackson was first nam
ed for the Presidency in the capital of Penn
sylvania and lo I Gen. Harrison is exhum
ed in the same place by leaders whose sup
port, where they are known would be re
garded a3 a great negative compliment.
Gen. Jackson had fought many battles;
gained many victories, and achieved many
glorious deeds. Gen. Harrison is equally
famous ! He has recenllu named battles
from which he ran away; and where histo
ry does not speak of his actions, it is falsi
fied and interpolated to answer tho pur
pose. Gen. Jacksen was taken up by the spon
taneous action of the people, who in grati
tude fur his noble acts, sustained him by
frequent meetings and loud demonstrations
of their feeling. His name was echoed
and re-echood from hill to hill and valley to
valley, from one extremity ol this vast u
nion to the other, his fame oxtensivc as
the wind, was written deep in tho hearts of
his countrymen.
Gen. Harrison is attempted, by the wise
federalists, to be heralded to the world as
tho "unanimously chostn," as the peo
nit's candidate." mid they shout, " buzz
fur tho great hero of North Bend" " de
fender of Fort Meigs" tho winner of half
the battles in the late war" and "old Cin
cinnatus Buckove of tho "West I" Tho ri
Hiculous farce of striviiiir to palm Gen. liar-
t'.soii on tho public as equal with Gen
Jackson, was faithfully represented by old
Rson. when ho clothed the ass with the
skin of a lion.
Such is the wisdom of the pnrty, and
such is the origin of their hero candidate
a humbug which when started, most laugh
ed a;; and which as it progresses disgusts
all who witness the nauseous serility and
alavittn imitations practiced by its fedeial
aaihors and supportors. Like all imitators,
their General and his retainers caper in the
antin tvle of mountebanks out Herod,
Herod m their heroism, and oarricature their
parts so miserably, that no ona dreams they
are sincere, believes their mimic lo be a
hern, or themselves any thing else but
d fashioned, blue-light federalist.
Jxtystont,
TRIFLING WITH THE CHARAC
TEfl AND BUSINESS OF THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Anolhor day has been lost, and not a step
taken towards the organization of Congress,
since tho election of Speaker. All busi
ness is arrested, not only in thu House, but
in the Senate, by the body of factionists
who have undertaken to drive tho House
Irom its solemn reiterated decision, in re
card to those attempting to forco their way
on tho floor, not only against tho vote of
the maiuritv of the pcoplo of a State, but
notv,loi the Representatives of all the States.
The suspense and embarrassment, which
now defeat the business of tho country in
both branches of Congress, and which sac
rifice all its interests, and disappoint the in
tense and anxious public expectation, are
not attributable to the Opposition as a body
in Congress. Thero aro several honorable
men among those opposed to the Adminis
tration, who look with disgust upon the ut
ter disregard shown to the order, dignity
and usefulness of Congress, by those who
assume to direct the New Jersey warfare.
Sovcral days ago, Mr. Am-ord of Georgia,
and Mr. Crabd of Alabama, rose in their
place, and opcnlv expressed their dissatis
faction with tho conduct of the party with
which they stand associated. One of tlieni
declared he would not longer countenance
such factious proceedings; and we have no
doubt that many honorable minds entertain a
secret abhorrence of the coursu the little men
who have taken upon themselves to direct
an Ounnsilion. of which in fact they arc
although the most boisterous, the least re
spectable, whether talents, attainments, or
influence, be regarded.
Mr. HuNTi:n, tho Speaker, acted with
great decision and promptitude in his efforts
to preserve order, by restraining the debate
within general parliamentary rulu m a body
which has been cleprivcii ol its own spe
cial regulations. Ho again and again cul
led the individuals of the Uppostlion, who
arc evidently speaking against time, to the
points to which alone thev could speak; but
every cfturt has, so lar, proved unavailing
to keep down the disorder, which seems to
bo a part of a premeditated scheme to drive
tho majoiity to submit to the dragooning
spirit which animates those who have no
other means to command success.-
Globe.
From the Pennsylvaaian.
SCHUYLKILL BANK
The following notice appeared
in some
of the city papers of yesterdy :
The Diiectors of the Schuylkill Bank
announce to the Public, that in consequence
of the unfortunate ciremstances in which
the Bin!: suddenly fnnta itself placed by
the unauthorised acts of the late Cashier,
they lind themselves compelled to suspend
their payments lor the present
The Board think it proper further to state,
that the acts of ll'.u late Uasluer above re
ferred to, were done without thu knowledge
of the former President or any of (lie Dir
ectors of the Bunk; and were, for the first
time, discovered yesterday. The Diiec
tors believe 1 1 rat inu assets ot tlie Manic aro
amply sufficient to meet its circulation and
deposiles, and therefore caution the public
against making undue sacrifices.
Much excitement both preceded and fol
lowed the publication of this card, accus
tomeu as tue public are Ui-gitung to be. m
reference to such announcements; and on
inquiry, its meaning is understood to be that
false certificates of the stock of the Bank of
Kentucky to tho amount of more than ten
thousand shares, being upwards of one mil
lion ot dollars, had been issued bv the late
Cashier of the Schuvlkill Bank, II. J. Le
vis, who a few davs ago was elected Presi
dent of that institution. He, it is stated,
savs that this was done to sustain the Schuyl
kill Dank, the proceeds ol the false ectiifi
cates being devoted to that purpose, but the
direetors.assert that they have no knowledge
ot the transaction. As to the facts ol the
case wo cannot of course form any opinion
having but unauthorised rumor in a thous
and shapes.
After tho issuing of the card published
above, there was a strong run upon the Bank
during the morning, and an excited crowd
was assembled in front of the building.
Notes of small amounts, however, were re
deemed until about two o'clock, when the
Bank was closed by an injunction served by
the Sheriff, and issued by the Supreme
Court on behalf of tho Bank of Kentucky.
The Mayor was present during tho morn
ing, and it is said addressed a few words to
the people at the timo of closing the doors
and windows Tins is a painful subject to
dwell upon unpleasant and distressing in
all its aspects, whether regarded as lo Us
effects upon the reputation of our city abroad
or upon its consequence at home, whero it
strikes at tho very root of confidence. Thu
developement was in every respect startling
and unexpected, and occurring at such a
time, has caused a deep and general feeling
of gloom and distrust
StWWHS
Fruits of Molition.-'Vho Congregation
al meeting house, in Wolcott, Connecticut,
was destroyed by firo on the night of tho
Uth lust., with such explosions of gun
r.owder that the firemen were alarmed, and
would not approach it. An abolition meet-
ine was to ho held in it the next day, which
may explain the rauso of the church being
burnt. flew xorlt slur.
It is intimated that at least 25,000 Cana
dians havo emigrated to tho Western stales
the- past year.
THE RECENT FRAUD.
The patience of n wronged and pldhder-
cil community now appears to bo exhausted
and the frauds of Levis of tho Schuylkill
Bank, so enormous in amount and disastrous
in their cohsequeiiccs, us to form, as it
were, a fitting climax In the long series of
breaches of trust, forgeries and embezzle
ment, which have of lute years succeeded
each other with frightful rapidity, have a-
wakened a feeling calculated, wc hope, to
lead to beneficial consequences. Hereto
fore it has been too much tho fashion to hush
up such affairs to pass them over lightly.
Tho press was content with a bare allusion
it referred to facts as briefly as possible,
but with a mawkish sensibility "refrained
from comments" tho public shrugged
their shoulders and wondered "who
would have thought it? and the suffcrors
were left to digest their losses as they
might; There seemed to be a general un
derstanding in the community that offences
upon the largo scale should be born Willi
that "standing and connections," or some
other extraneous influence, should invaria
bly interpose as a shield, and the natural
consequences of such false benevolence are
now before us. Forgeries, sporting with
trust and the betrayal of confidence, have
gone on from bad lo worse wilh accelerating
apidity, until at last, Philadelphia a plane
boasting of her character and integrity, can
furnish quite as largo a list of such crimes
as any other cily in tho Union.
It has been given out, 'though we cannot
assent to the conclusion, that our laws are
insufficient to punish the generally of viiese
offences. If this really be the fact, for
wo must confess that we doubt it wo must
have speedy and effective legislation to se
cure tho punishment of offenders. Our
statutes are severe enough upon the lagged
miserable wretch who Mantis trembling at
the bar of the Criminal Court for stealing to
the v:tlue of a few cents to sustain life the
poor, the debased, and the friendless are
sure of punishment for their email aberra
tions from tho lincofhonesty deeds which
inflict the slightest possible inconveniences
upon society arc visited with retribution ;
-.mil the larceny of a few sticks of wood, a
at or a cloak, semis tho offender to toil,
for months; perhaps years, in the peniten
tiary. This is doubtless necessary there
is no sound objection to it; hut tho people
now demand enactments that sh.ill secure
equal justice, or if possible, make the most
striking examples of those who sin almost
without temptntmn-wnh none in fact which
does not aggravate their offence ; and it is
noped that the legislature will at the earliest
moment devote their attention to this im
portant subject that breaches of trust in
volving peeuniaiy losses, whether public
or private whether the work of the agent
of an individual, of a slate officer, or of the
managers of banking institutions, may be
punishable as felony of the deepest die, if
indeed it be the case thai they are not so at
present.
I he public arcweared with the record of
sentences against the petty rogues of the
lime, when they look over the list in vain
to sec what fate is awarded to ihc man who
has deprived thousands of their hard earned
means of support who has snipped or
phans, widows, and old men of the little
property upon which they relied to sustain
themselves in a hard world. They see
that a single case of punishment under surh
circumstances that ol Dyott is to be rc
garded more m the light of an accident llian
anything else, and they feel that, until the
lot of this individual is the sure consequence
of frauds ol an analogous character, llierc
can be no safety to individuals no check
to the torrent ol extravagance and cortup
lion wlucii seems to nave sptead its poison
every whero. Even in instances which
arc brought by some means or other under
ihe notice of our Courts, there too ofien
appears to be a disposition, bally ing and de
lay, lo yield to the old system of affording
impunity, or chances of escape.
It was evident Hiatal last there must bo a
change. The mortal sense of the commu
nity, however relaxed bo tho effects of
speculation, extravagance, and the gam
bling character winch business has of fate
isBiimed, is now wc trust, regaining its
wholesome lone under the influence of ex
perienco and suffering : and as it is ovident
that if honor and lionnsty furnish no safe
guards, wo muft by legislative means havo
those which will ho operative. A few se
vere examples, and a con vid ion of the un
erring ceitainty of punishment purify tho
atmosphere, and aid in the restoration of a
sounder alate of things. Pcnnsylvunian.
Jl Sneaker elected, Mr. Huntkr of
Virginia, it will be perceived from our Con
gressional report, is elected Speaker of the
House ot Koprcsentatives. Mr. Hunter
has never acted wilh the Nothcru Whigs,
and hi3 avowed political principles are in
direct conflict Willi theirs at ovcry point
Ho was however taken up bv them at tho
close of the voting to-day, and being sup
ported by a portion of the Democratic party
was elected uy a vote ol one hundred and
nineteen, out of two hundred and thirty-two
voles. It will be observed that Mr. Hun
ter did not, on any occasion, vote for
either of tho Whig candidates for Speaker.
Mr. Hunter u the grandson of John
Taylor of Caroline, one of the sternest
Republicans of his time; and a loader among
the founders of the Virginia school of poli
ties. Wo trust that the descendant will
emulate tho renown of Ins great progenitor,
and not disappoint tho hopes of that por
tion of the Republicans who gave hua jheir
confidence.
Both Messrs, JonkS and Lbwm, who
wero the Democratic candidates; acted
throughout the donlfsl with great delicacy,
and, in turn, magnanimously withdrew,
upon ascertaining that they would not u-
nito all the Republican votes. Although
neiiher of the Administration candidates
was elected, it was solely because was a
want of uiitiiiiiiiily in the Democratic ranks.
i he highest whig vole was one hundred
md two for Bell and subsequently, one
hundred and three for Mr. Dawson, twelve
scattering. The highest democratic vote
was one hundred and thirteen first for
Mr. Jones, and the same number afterwards
for Mr. Lewis with eleven bcattenng in
the last insvuicc. As a last resort, the Op'
position vole was cast upon a gentlemen,
whose principles, as we before observed,
are diametrically opposed to all their doc
trines, and whose concurrence with the ad
ministration upon all the great questions
ol political controversy is notorious,
Globe.
From the Pennsylvania Ucporter.
Washinoto.V Conr.usroNDLNcn.
trashimjton City, Dec. 18, 1830.
In niv last letler I gave you some ac
count of the means resorted to by ihe whig
party in congress to deprive the people ot
the sovereign State of New Jersey, and
prevent an organization ol tho house, upon
the principles held out by the great body of
the people of this country. The question,
with regard lo the wing members ot ihe
State of New Jersey taking their seats, in
the first instance, was discussed for two
weeks, and decided over and over again in
no loss than ten different forms. Al length
some one or two of the whigs gavo nonce
that they were tired of agitating this ques
tion, aad asfied their brother whigs thai
they should yield the question for the pre
sent and permit a speaker to be elected.
1 his was reluctantly assented to by thu op
position, and on baturday last tho house
proceeded to ballot for a speaker. Mr.
Lewis of Ala. and Mr, Jones of Va, were
the prominent democratic candidates for
speaker, and .Mr, Bell of To. and Dawson
of Geo. were the whig candidates. Alter
six ballots on Saturday, it was ascertained
that neiiher of these four candidates could
be elected, for tho rcr sons that tho states-
rights men would not voto for Mr. Jones,
and some of tho Va. delegation together
wilh tho two Thomas a ol .Maryland, or
Cave Johnson, and Mr. Turncy ot Tonnes-
would not vote for Mr. Lewis, who
was a milliner, l ins ucing tuo siaic ui
afiairs, the whigs pitched upon Mr. R. M.
T. Hunter, who had voted with ihoiii in
some of the questions in regard to the New
Jersey case, and uniting their whole forco
with the southern state rights men, ho was
elected on the 11th ballot.
The annunciation of his clectiou was
hailetl wilh shouts of applause from the gal
lenej, which was crowded wilh tho Whig
officers of government, and tho citizens oi
ibis eitv of aristocracy. Ihe news went
diit through the citv bv horse and foot ex-
presses, and it was every where hailed 33 a
- n
p-icai Whirr victory, and in the couisu of a
half an hour vou could hardly find a clerk,
messenger, carpet sweeper, wood carrier
or L'rooms of thu public, stables, who was
not thorough going Whig in anticipation ol
r i ... . ... i
tho e eetion of W 112 officers ot the House
throughout. But they all happened lo for
get that Mr. Hunter was a thorough going
Sub- J rcusury man, and that nu made one
of Ihe ablest speeeiics on that questional
ihe last session of Congress, and when he
delivered his address to the House on ihe
moniinir of his election, he leminded them
of the great question on which he stood
pledged before his country, This took the
Whigs all aback, and their songs of victory
were hushed up. bo confident were they
in ihe first instance that they had every
thinti 111 their own hands, that 011 the next
morning when tho members were called up
to be sworn, they marched up thoir five eon
traliand New Jcr?ey members lo have the
oath administered to them, but the speaker
handed the book to Mr. Randolph, tho only
Whig member from that state who wts e
lected, and told the other five that they
must stand back until he was instructed by
tho House to swear. This was another
defeat of the Whigs, and they immediately
introduced a resolution to give these per
sons seals, although, as I have before said,
it Ins been decided ten times that they were
not entitled to seals on this oft decided
question' Mr. John Sergeant addressed
the House for about an hour in a well stu
died speech, as all his speeches arc, and
endeavored to provo so by precedent, for
he is a man of precedent, and parliamentary
law, which like scripture can be quoted to
suit any faith that these Whigs were en
tilled ti their seats under the certificate of
the Governor. Mr. Dromgoolc followed
and exposed the man of precedents, and
and showed him, the House and the coun
try, that parliamentary law and precedent
could not deprive the sovereign people of
tiioir rignis. tie went upon tho true dem
ocratic principle that the majority musi
rule, and showed that tho majority of the
people of Now Jersey had drcided acainst
tho Governor's certified member, and con
sequently it was not in the powers of tho
House to admit them, until their case was
investigated before a committee.
On tho morning Mr, Johin.011, of Ten-
ncssoo, attempted to get a resolution before
the house, to appoint a committee, to wail
on ihe senate and President, in order that
the message might be obtained, but because
thero was a vr hip entitled to tho floor (Mr,
Barnard) Wire and others otijeKlcd" lo fhlj
resolution, and Mr. Barnard went on and
inflicted a two hours spoi-clt upon thu
house, which was nothing under heaven's
but si condensation of ihe whig argument of
the last two weeks.
R. M. T. Hunter upon Faking his sent as
Speaker, delivered the following address.
Gentlemen of the Houst cfJlepreicntatives:
Tho high and undeserved honor which
you have conferred upon me, has been p
unexpected, mat even now i can scarcely
find terms in which to express my grateful
sensoofyour kindness, 1 trust. howevp
lo be ablo to offer a better evidence of that
sentiment in the earnest efforts which t
shall inako to discharge my duties juatlv
and impartially. Called as 1 have been trf
this high station; not so much from any
merits of my own ns from the independence?
of my position, I shall feci it as especially
due from mo to you lo preside as tlW
Speaker, not of a party, but of the house.-
winisi 1 snail deem it my duty; unon all'
proper occasions, to suslain the principles
upon which I stand pledged before the'
country, I shall hold myself bound, at tho
samo time, to afford every fucility within
my power 10 tlie lull and fair expression nf
the wishes and sentiments of every section
of this great Confederacy. You will doubt
less deem it your duty, gentlemen, as tho
grand inquest of the nation; lo investigate
all mailers of which the people ough't to be
liuormeu ; 10 retrench expenditures which
aro unnecessary or unconstitutional ; to
maintain the just relations between all of
the great interests of the country, and ta
preserve inviolate the Constitution, which
you will be sworn to support, whilst it
will be mine to aid vou in such labors wilh
all ihe means within my power. And al
though deeply impressed with a painful
sense of my inexperience, and of the diffi
culties of a new and untried station, lam
yet cheered by the hope that you will sus
tain me 111 my cliorts to preserve ihe order
o! business and the deconum ol debate. I
am aware that party fervor is occasionally
impatient of tho restraint which it is the
duty of the Chair lo impose upon ihe asper
ities of debate ; but at the same lime I know
that the just of all parlies will suslain a
Speaker who is honestly endeavoring to
preserve the dignity of tho House, and the
harmony of its members.
Permit me, in conclusion, gentlemen, to
tender you the homage of my heartfelt
thanks fur the honor which you have eon
ft 1 red upon me, and to express the hope
thai your counsels may bo guided by wis
dom as to redound to your own reputation,
and the welfare of our common country.
i"-ryrTOgT"W'--u-t''CT'c'oiE''
MiciuoAN Cm', (Indiana,) Dec. 1.
Jl Wild Child. Strange as it may ap
pear, it is currently reported and very gen
erally believed that a wild child, or lad, is
now running at large among the sand hills
round and in the vicinity of Pish Lake. It
is reporlcd to bo about four feet high, and
covered with a light coal of chesnut-culored
hair. It runs with great veloeiiy, and when
pursued, us has often been the case, it sets
up ihc most frightlul and hideous yells, and
seems to make efforts at speaking. It has
been seen during the summer months run
ning alon" the lake shore, apparently in
search of fish and frogs, and appears to be
very fond of the water, for it will plunge
into Fish Lake and swim with great veloci
ty, nil ihe timo whinning most piteously.
How this creature has come here, or
what its history may be, we leave to con
jecture; but may it not bo probable that it
may have strayed away from some emigrat
ing parly, when encamped for the night,
anil wandered off into the woods, whem it
has grown up an associate with the animals
of the forest ( We think this may be the
case. If so, what must have been the an
guish of its parents and friends on leaining
that they wero compelled to pursue their
journey without their tender care I It is
also supposed that it may havo been stolen
by the Indians, and tell in the lorcst to per
ish; but we can hardly believe such to be tne
case.
It would be nothing but an act of humani
ty on the part of our young men to turn out
and help to eaplute it. Gazette.
The Philadelphia Gazette of Wednesday
says It is with regret that we state the
death, this morning, of Mr. David Woelp
per, an old and well known eilizen of Spring
Garden district by suicide. He proceed
ed in tho execution of his purpose, to the
bath room of his dwelling, and bending o
ver tho bathing tub, deliberately drew a ra-.
zor, which ho passed instantaneously from
one side of his throal lo the other, serving
the arteries, and producing immediate death.
Mr. Woolpper was a man of large proper
ly: and it is supposed that exaggerated ideas,
of possiblo loss in his his different invest-,
ments, led him to this deplorable catastro
pho. Great apprehensions existed on the Ca
nadian frontier of Niagara, on Tuesday,
ihnt thero was to be a new rising of the pa
triots. Tho Biitish troops were all under
arms, but no rebcli appeared.
A handsome Tennessee girl, aged 17, of
respectable family, ran a way wilh a black
leg of the name of Grant. The brother of
the girl and anothei youth overtook the lat
ter, tied him to a tree, bared his back, and
gave him 50 lashes, with a threat of lynching.