; f ' i toe w&Tmm9 mrnmm, hi - ; i in 1 . f It f I- - r p Raftsman's f mmm!. rs sr. ! S. B. ROW. Editor asd Proprietor. CLEARFIELD, PA., APRIL 2, 1856. Wemmeee of the Philadelphia Convention. . TOR PRESIDENT, MILLARD FILLMORE. TIC PRESIDENT, ANDREW JACKSON DONNCLSON. THE TJHIOIT STATE CONVENTION. This body, which met at Harrisburg on last Wednesday, to nominate a State ticket for the support of all opposed to Locofocoism, ad journed on the 27th, after Jiaring accomplished the purposes for which ii was called. Nearly every district in the State was represented, delegates from all but two, we believe, being in attendance. The proceedings were charac terised by the greatest harmony, and were of soch a satisfactory nature as to create the live liest anticipations for the success of the ticket Dominated, which is composed as follows : CAXAL COMXISSIOXER, THOMAS . COCHKAN, of York Co. AUDITOR 6E5ERAL, DARWIN PHELPS, of Armstrong Co. StTRYETOR 6EXERAL, BARTHOLOMEW LAPOKTE, of Bradford Co. The Philadelphia Daily Newt, a substantial American journal, speaks of the nominees in (he following manner : "All of these nominees are gentlemen of high character, undoubted qualifications, and personal influence and popularity in the res pective localities in which they reside. Mr Cochran is an Old Line Whig, and formerly represented York in the State Senate. lie is a lawyer by profession, and for many years ed ited the York Republican. His nomination is the best that his been made tor Canal Com missioner for many years. lie would do honor to the office, and is just the man to introduce the much needed reform in that Department of the Government. 'Mr. Phelps is an American, and now repre sents Armstrong county in the House of Rep resentatives. He was formerly a Whig, is a lawyer by profession, a gentleman of high character, and, in every respect, admirably qualified to discharge the duties of the account ing Department of the Government. Mr. Laporte is an American Republican, and u formerly a Democrat. He was a mem ber of the last Honse of Representatives, and is again a member of the present one. He is a strong man in .Northern Pennsylvania, and well qualified for the duties of the Land De partment.' As this is probably the only ticket that will be presented in rpposition to the Democratic State ticket, there will be no difficulty in in dividuals deciding which they shall support. The Democratic papers were predicting a flare np in the Convention, but have been sadly dis appointed, and as a matter of conrso will bo down on the nominees severely. But the can didates are so well known that their strictures will fall harmless upon them. Of Mr. Phelps we can speak from personal knowledge. He is a man of undoubted ability, and wherever he is known is decidedly popular. The dis trict which he represents in the Legislature gave formerly a Democratic majority of from 1000 to 1200 ; Mr. Phelps was, however, elect ed by a handsome majority, running several hnodred ahead of the rest of the ticket upon which he had been placed. The proceedings of the Convention will be found elsewhere in this paper. DEMOCRATIC RETRENCHMENT. Last fall the people were frequently assured by the Democratic leaders that, in case their party was successful, numerous reforms would be effected and the strictest economy prac ticed in our State affairs and finances. We observe they are busy at work ; but it seems to us that their ideas of economy differ materi ally from those of prudent men generally. The Berks County Press, in noticing the pas Mgo of a bill to regulate the State printing, ays that it "learns from those who have ex amined its provisions carefully, that it not on ly increases the price to be paid for 'composi tion' and 'press work' seventy per cent., but will add upwards of Thiett Thousand Dol lars per annnm to the cost of doing the work; that it is understood that the special object in passing this bill is for the purpose of estab lishing at JIarrisburg a new sham democratic central organ j" and adds that "a more un blushing attempt to rob the Treasury has not been made for many years, although the parry baa ever been good at performing operations of this kind." A few days since the General Appropriation Bill was op before the House, and among the items we observe one of $2,500 , for employing a State Engineer, which was carried by a vote of 56 to 32. It would seem that the duties which this officer is to perform, come strictly within tho sphere of the Canal Commissioners' duties. If this is tho case, the creation of this office is nothing more than another means of rewarding some favorite without encroaching upon the "flesh-pots" of others. This sort of retrenchment seems to be peculiar to the Democratic reformers in this State, and it might bo well enough for tho tax payers to remember these operations, as they will give them a pretty correct idea of the man tier in wiiich a Democratic Legislature is dis posing of the money which is extorted from them in the way of high taxes. Saltpetre im Tsnmkssec A company in EAst Tennessee has been formed for the pur pose of maaufactoring saltpetre. Large quan tifies of U.e nitrons earth are to be found in tH, lfCt!C ffthe tat. A "NEIGHBOR! I" 8ALTTTE. In last week's issue of the Democratic or gan in this place, we find an article, headed "Roorbacks Re-appearing," in which we are charged with "endorsing an unmitigated and wholesale falsehood," by publishing a set of resolves of the New Hampshire Legislature of 1847, which were said to have been written by Franklin Pierce, and which conflict with the present position of his party on the slavery question. We gained our information and copied the resolutions from one of the most respectable and reliable journals printed in Philadelphia ; and we were not cognizant that any pretension was made to deny their author ship until e noticed the extremely polite and genteel article of the Republican. The mere dictum of "our neighbor" down street can't, however, be taken as proof positive that a "barefaced lie," as he terms it, has been cir culated. It is an insult to the intelligence of the people to suppose that they have the cre dulity to believe so. As to the matter of using harsh epithets, we care not a whit. There is no inordinate amount of mental calibre re quired to call a man a liar ; a street rowdy or brawling bully can do that to perfection, and never injure himself he won't wink at the ef fort. There are individuals, we have often heard it remarked, who are constitutionally addicted to falsifying. They can't avoid it; and by some mode of ratiocination peculiar to themselves, they are led to believe that all others are possessed of a similar weakness, and soon they become habituated to impugn ing the veracity of their neighbors. We trust, for the sake of moral progress, if for nothing else, that the editor of the Republican is not of this class ; though, judging from tho manner in which he has delivered himself of late, it might readily be supposed that he would come within the category of those who "Have lights where others eys are blind, As pigs are said to soo the wind." The Liqcor License Bin. The committee of conference settled upon a license bill which was submitted to the two Houses of our State Legislature on Friday last. The bill passed the Senate unanimously; the House by a two thirds vote. Hotels and taverns are to be clas sified according to the estimated yearly rental. Where the rental is $10,000 or more, the li cense tax is to be $1,000 ; where from $8,000 to $10,000, license $800 ; from $6,000 to $8,- 000, license $600 ; from $4,000 to $6,000, li cense $400; from $2,000 to $4,000, license $300; from $1,000 to $2,000, license $150; from $500 to $1,000, license $100 ; from $300 to $500 rental, $50 license ; and where the rental is under $300, a license of $25 is to be raid; Provided, that in Philadelphia and Pitts burgh no license shall be granted for less than $75, and in other cities, towns and boroughs containing over 200 taxablts, for not less than $50; one hotel in the cities to be licensed for every 100 taxables, and one for every 150 tax- ables elsewhere, and allows one eating-house to be licensed for every four hotels, the license not to be less than $50 in Pittsburgh and Phil adelphia, and elsewhere not less than $20. Death op J. Biddle Gordon, Esq. It is with feelings of deep regret that we announce the death of J. Biddle Gordon, Esq., of this borough. He died very suddenly yesterday at about 2J P. M. from what are technically termed "spinal spasms." He bad returned home the evening before from a visit east and though complaining of slight indisposi tion went to his- office on the morning of his death, after which he stopped in at the house of John L. Cnttie, Esq., where he died as be fore stated. His remains, we understand, are to be taken to Reading, where his father's family reside. He was a yonng man of much promise with tho brightest prospects before him, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Investigating Committee. On Monday of last week, Mr. Speaker Banks appointed L. D. Campbell of Ohio, Mr. Howard of Michi gan, and Mr. Oliver of Missouri, to proceed to Kansas for the purpose of fully investigating all tho troubles of tho Territory. Mr. Camp bell, on Tuesday, asked to be excused, and Mr. Sherman of the same State, was appointed in his place. Mr. Hickman, it is said, signi fied his unwillingness to servo on the commit tee. The committee is authorized to employ Clerks and Sergeants-at-arms, to proceed to the Territory, to investigate fully all the frauds charged to have been committed in all the elections, and the Presidont is requested to afford them military protection should it be necessary. Why Mexico is an Anarchy. The immense wealth of the Roman Catholic Cbnrch in Mex ico is often spoken of on account of its influ ence in political affairs. While the annual income of the republic docs not exceed $9,000 000, the revenues of the church will amount to $28,000,000. The product of the tithes, on an average, is estimated at $1,835,000 per annnm, and, in addition to this, the clergy possess an immense capital in specie, the accumulation of three centuries, arising partly from bequests and partly from surplus income. The eccle siast establishment consists of one archbishop ric, that of Mexico, chiefly from that portion of the tithes intended for the subsistence of the clergy, and amounts to $400,000 the arch bishop receiving $130,000. War Expenses. The Chancellor of the Brit ish Exchequer, in a statement made to Parlia ment, estimates the cost of the two years' war with Russia at jC43,564,0OO or about $200,000, 000 ! Add equal amounts for France, Russia and Turkey ,a id we have a total of $800,000,000 It will take, perhaps, one thousand millions of dollars to pay all the cxponses of the war. A Dry Spell. Late advices from Isle au Sal, Cape do Vcrds, state that tho Island was healthy, but water was exceedingly scarce, no rain having fallen for four years, which caused the cattle to die in great numbers. Bread stnffs were held at very high prices flour at $19 pr bbl., and tread at 10Per bag. roa the raftsman's journal THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES A VIOLATOR OF THE PUBLIC FAITH. Mr. Editor: Some time since, I published in your valuable Journal a number of charges, preferred against the Chief Magistrate of our Republic, and as these charges have elsewhere been declared untrue, I now will, with your permission, proceed to make good every charge specified in my communication, The first charge, is that of "violating the uJ lic faith, by breaking up a solemn contract be tween the two great sections of our country, wnicn win greatly endanger, if not entirely aissoive onr union." The Missouri Compromise was a clear and specific contract, entered into by and between the people of the Free States, of the one part, ana me people oi me Slave States, of the oth er, and ratified by their representatives in Con. gress. In 1819, Missouri, formed out of Ter ritory purchased lrom France, applied to Con gress to be admitted into the Union, as a slave holding State. This the people of the Free States everywhere strenuously resisted, as it involved consequences of the utmost impor tance to the welfare of tho country. But the slaveholding interest demanded its admission into the confederacy, and denied the right of congress to impose conditions upon new States applying for admission into the Union. The power, however, rested with the Free States, and Missouri was refused admission. In 1820, the subject was renewed in Congress, and tho people of the Slave States agreed to settle the controversy by compromise ; that if tho peo ple of the Free States would admit Missouri as a Slave State into the Union, that nil that territory, ceded by France to the United States, north of 36 dog. 30 min. north latitude, should be forever given to Freedom. To this the people of the Free States, in good faith, agreed. And by their representatives in Congress, both parties entered into an honorable compromise, or solemn contract, in the following binding agreement : "In all that territory, ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of 36 deg. 30 min. of north latitude, not included within the limits of tho State of Missouri, slavery, and in' voluntary servitude, otberwiso than in the pun ishment of crime, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and is here by forever prohibited." In each house of Congress, a majority of the members from the Slave States, as well as from the Free States, voted in favor of this compromise. In 1836, Arkansas, another Slave State, formed out of a portion of this territory, lying south of 36 deg. 30 min., was admitted into the Union. Thus, two slave states, by virtue of this com promise, camo into the Confederacy, while Freedom as yet gained nothing, but the prohi bition of slavery from a vast region reserved for free states. The powers of slavery now put forth their efforts in earnest, to rule the Republic. And under the administration of President Tyler, slaverv was declared tn be a political institution, and consequently, was ta ken under tho special care and guardianship of tho General Government, and no lomrer lelt a a state institution, to be controled by the in- oiviuuai states themselves. Then it wn that Congress began to act for slavery. Thj right of petition was taken away ; the freedom of speech denied ; the privilege of the press cur tailed, and the three hundred thousand slave holders began to rule fifteen millions of free Americans. None but a slaveholder, or one in favor of slaveholding. was henceforth to fill the Presidential chair. Cabinet, and diploma tic officers, must all be slaveholders in fact, or in principle, and no fice of uroGt or trust could bo filled by any but slaveholders, s, r mose politically identified with slaverv were enacted, and rules adopted, by Congress, ior ino support ami advancement of slavery ; and the Supreme Court, being composed of a majority oi siaveiioldcrs, can make all laws constitutional. And although slavery had now got all the power and patronage of the covern- ment in her own hands, yet she was not satis fied, but asked that her limits be extended, and demanded that the Government pav ten millions of dollars, and take Texas into the U nion, as a slave state, with a stipulation that four more states should become members of the confederacy, whenever they might be form ed within her limits. Thus the Genfr.il Cnr. ernment made provision for adding five more new slave states to the Union, and secured to the slave power ten additional members in the Senate of the United States, while the free states gained nothing but a war with Mexico, which cost the country over one hundred mil lions oi aoiiars. Tho slaveholdintr nower. not vet Mntont with her achievements over Freedom, demand ed mat slavery s&ould have access to all the free territory acquired from Mexico, and threa tened to overthrow the Union, unless her de mands were granted. States formed out of mat territory, with free constitutions, asked admission into the confederacy, and after one of the most serious struggles ever had in con gress, California was finally admitted into the Union. But New Mexico, with her free Con stitution, was thrown back to the condition of a territory, and contrary to the wish of her people, her whole region, with that of Deseret, was thrown open by Congress to slavery. But the slaveholding power, after having ob tained all these conquests over Freedom, only became more arrogant, and consequently de manded that the people of the free states ev erywhere become subject to tho control of the slave po,wer,and the General Government, now the willing instrument of the peculiar institu tion, enacted a law, that commands all eood citizens of tho free states to run at the word of the slaveholder, and aid him in his work of slavery, or be subject to imprisonment, and a thousand dollars fine a law that, contrary to the Constitution, suspends habeas corpus, and destroys the right of trial by jury a law that bribes its officers, by giving them ten dollars if they eonsign their victim to slavery, or on ly five if they let them go freo. This act, which has become the by-word of Europe and the scorn of civilization, is now the pandect of slavery, on the statute of True America. After this last groat victory of the slave powers over freedom, and becoming satisfied with their success, they proclaimed through all their organs, and tho General Government in particular, that the slavery question was now forever settled ; and that it should rest as sacred as the Constitution itself, and President Pierce in his first message to Congress, pledg ed himself to uso all his official power to pre vent it from being disturbed. But all these promises, proved substantial as a dream. The powers of slavery, now seeing but one barrier in their way to the supreme control of the en tire nation, at once resolved on its removal This barrier was the Missouri Compromise, that sacred contract, into which freedom and slavery, thirty-four years before had entered mutually agreeing, that slavery should be for ever prohibited, north of 36 deg. 30 m., north latitude, in all that territory purchased from France, which gave to Freedom all north, and to slavery all south of that line. But the slave holding states, having got their portion ot the territory formed into slave States, and admit ted into the Union, now determined to wrest from the free States, their portion of the ter ritory also, and appropriate the last acre of free territory, belonging to the United States, to the use and benefit of slavery forever. And although the free States, had not gained a sin gle State in all this territory, which according - - vuiupiuunw, wu io do tneirs lorever: y on tne itn day of May, 1854, President fierce fgned, and made lawful, tba act of a ! pro-slavery Congress, that fraudulently swept from the iree states, tlie last vestige of na tional right, by declaring tho Missouri restric tion, "inoperative and void." Thus, the Pres ident, by one single act, removed tho last bar rier, that had been mutually, and sacredly rais ed by our fathers, against the encroachments of slavery. By this single act, the President, Franklin Pierce, broke up a faithful, and sol emn contract, between the two great sections of our country, which has already opened up a neia ior sirue ana civil war. aj this one act, he destroyed a sacred compromise, that was made in good faith, between the north and the south, to exist forever, the destruc tion of which, Las greatly endangered the U nion. And by this act, he flung to tho winds, all the binding obligations of the nations plight ed faith, and forced her to abandon her solemn engagements, and sent slavery on its withering march, over all the virgin soil, that thirty-four years before, had been for a valid considera tion, deeded to freedom, forever. Then is not the first charge in tho indictment true : That the President bus violaltd the public faith, by breaking up a solemn contract, between the two great sections of our country, which will gieatly endanger, if not entirely dissolve our Union 1 And in reference to the editor of the Re publican, I havejonly to say, that if he intends to write in the style of low and vulgar insult, he will not be noticed, for "No candid, upright, honorable man. Will dare insult me, and no other can.' Clearfield, "March 28th 185C. C.J. LETTEB FROM JOS. B.McENALLT, Esq. Mr. S. B. Row : I perceive in tho last num ber of tho "Clearfield Republican" an edito rial article in regard to myself, under the cap tion of "Good Bye, Mac." I wish to say a few wotds in reply. In speaking of myself and the political campaign of 1854, the editor in that article proceeds to say, "There was nothing wrong then with the Ne " braska bill. That measure he endorsed to " the fullest extent and extolled the National " Administration extravagantly on this very Buuject. Now, nothing could be farther from the truth than that statement. I never entertained such an opinion. On the other hand, I always be lieved that the repeal of the Missouri Compro mise by the Nebraska bill was in the highest degree unwise and improper. I have no recol lection of ever extolling the present National Administration on any subject, and I am cer tain I never extolled it on account of ?he Kan sas Nebraska bill. It was not my design to take any part in the political campaign ot" 1854. But by tho ear nest request of some members of the Demo cratic party, i was induced to attend a few meetings just before tho election. In roy speeches at those meetings, there were at least two subjects on which I did not speak. I did not in any way discuss the Kansas Nebraska bill, and I did not say one word respecting Gov. Bierler. Much was said at than meet. ings in favor of Gov. Bigler, and, I think, also inlavorof the Kansas Nebraska bill; but it was by other speakers and not by mvself. It was nt, however, generally desired by the LCynftegitic jjrty in 1854 to make the policy I ft f nnocinir V. i. IT .i . , . . Tl i ( t otiM6 nit uuisas cuiasKa ui u an issue in the State politics, and the very convention which nominated Gov. Bigler in that year ut terly refused to pass any resolutions on the subject. On the score of consistency, I would not like to make an even exchange with the edi tor of the Republican. There may, however, bo some little difference in our ideas of con sistency. The only consistency at which I aim is to support those men and those measures which will most promote tho welfare of the country. Tho editor's consistency seems to consist in adhering, under all circumstances. to his party. But the real question of public interest is not, whether I or some other private citizen has been consistent in his political course, but whether the people ought to sustain the party that endorses the course of the present Na tional Administration. For my own part, I feel fully convinced that the highest interests of the country require that the present National Administration, and those who justify its course, should be remov ed from power. Whether right or wrong, the opinion has been deliberately formed and hon estly entertained. . The editor of the Republican has a right to think otherwise, and to convince his neighbors if he can. But of one thing he may be as sured, that to uso his columns in needless p?r sonal assaults on private citizens is not the way to enlighten the community on public questions. Public measures and public men are fair subjects of comment. If the editor of the Republican will confine himself to them and to other matters of public interest, he will find enough to occupy his attention without assail ing me. If, however, he cannot restrain him self, we would ask as a favor that he endeavor to acquire the habit of telling the truth. March 31,' 56. J. B. McEnally. A Horrible Tragedy took place six miles east of Bridgeport, in Madison county, N. Y., on Sunday the 23d of March. The wife of a drunken, worthless fellow, named Mathew Ward, murdered four of her children in cold blood. Ward neglected his family and treated them cruelly. His wife threatened if he did not reform and help her, she would kill herself and children. He heeded not the threat and continued his old habits. On the day named he went fishing, when the wife took an axe and cut the throat of four children, the oldest, aged about 8 years, escaped by running, the mother vainly pursuing. Mrs. W. then return ed and attempted to cut her own throat with a razor, but did not cut deep enough to prove fatal. Protection or Slave Property By the law passed at the late session of the Virginia Legislature, to prevent, as far as possible, the abduction of slaves by moans of the northern vessels navigating tho streams tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, the pilots are required to search every vessel outward bound, to ascer tain ir any fugitive slaves are aboard. For making the inspection they are to exact a fee of $5 from the captain. An Inspector Gener- al, to reside at Norfolk, iVto bl anre MpS hv the Governor. Pr'ted by UNION STATE CONTENTION. Wednesday, Msrch 23, 1856. Tb.9 Union Stato Convention compo sed of delegates from the American, Republican and Whig parties, met in the Hall of the House of Representatives at 12 o'clock, and was tempo rarily organized by the selection of John Co vode as President, and Messrs. Beatty, Funk and Ingbam as Secretaries. A committee was appointed to select officers for the permanent organization ot the Convention. irrsimoox session. The Committee reported the following gen tlemen for permanent officers of the Conven tion. The report was unanimously adopted : President Gideon J. Ball. V ico Presidents n. Jones Brooke, Wm. Stewart, Dr. John Wright, Thos. E. Franklin, Josiah Copley, E. Beatty, C. Thompson Jones, Andrew Cams, J. F. Linderman, Jon. Knight, Henry Johnson, Sam'IRoyer, L. L. M'GufEn, D. C. Boal, R. P. M'Dowell, Wm. Jessup, J M. Oliphant, Thos. J. Power, J. B.M'Enally. Secretaries Edward M'Phcrson, J.M.Rein hart, Jas. W. T. M'AllIster, John N. M'Don- ald, M. C. Mercur, Thos. C. Steel. The following committee on resolutions was then selected : Messrs. M'Calmont,Flanigen, Strong, Small, (PhiPa,) Cooper, Coraman, Shainline, Downing, Myers, Cowell, Franklin, Killmger, Fisher, Weaver, M'Lellan, Small, (York,) Smith, (Cumb.) Ingham, King, (Cam bria,) Bower, Mercur, Olmstoad, Derrickson, Chamberlain, Howard, Gazzam, Lawrence, Scull,Moorhead,Morriaon,Coulter and Palmer. evening session. Mr. M'Calmont from the Committee on res olutions, reported the action ot the Commit tee. The report was read ; and each- resolu tion acted upon seperately. As finally adopted, they are as follows : Whereas, Tho freemen of Pennsylvania, opposed to the National Administration, are divided into political organizations, holding on some questions of governmental policy divers opinions ; yet it is believed that a large major ity of the freemen of this State are agreed up on the momentous issues forced upon the coun try by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise ; by the undisguised policy of the National Ad ministration to impose by violence and fraud Slavery upun Kansas, contrary to the wishes of a large majority of the inhabitants : and by Its unjust, illiberal and Anti-American prefer ence in the appointment of men of foreign oirtu over tnose born upon the soil, to offices, of trust and honor, as well as in the distribu tion of its patronage; And Whereas, Agree ment in principle is the only bond that can unite effectively honest men in political ac tion : inereiore, Resolved, That, animated by the spirit of concession, we will cordially unite in the sup port of the candidates to be nominated by this Convention, upon the basis of those princi ples upon which we are mutually agreed. Resolved, That the present National Admin istration, by the exercise of an unwarrantable influence in the repeal of the Missouri Com promise, at the instance of selfish and section al politicians ; by the removal of honest and competent men from offices of honor and trust, in order that their places might be filled by in efficient and corrupt partizans ; by refusing to protect the freemen of Kansas in the enjoy ment of the right designed to be secured to them by the Constitution and laws of the Uni ted States thereby showing itself powerful for mischief, but feeble in the miantainance of laws for the protection of the people and the honor of the country has justly forfeited all claim to the confidence and respect of the peo ple of this Commonwealth Resolved, That we will uso all honorable means to check the evils inflicted upon the country by the unjust and sectional measures adopted by the present National Administra tion, brought about by the exercise ot its pa tronage ; that we are utterly opposed to the admission into the Confederacy of Slave States formed out of Territory once consecrated to Freedom ; and also to the extension of Slave ry into any Territories of the United State now Free. Resolved, That we cordially disapprove of the interference of foreign influence of cverv kind in our civil and political affairs ; and are equally hostile to tho interference of the gov ernment or people of the United States in the affairs of other nations, regarding any such in terference as unwise and in conflict with the recommendation of Washington's Farewell Address, which inculcates with emphatic ear nestness, the propriety of avoiding the adop tion of any policy which might involve ns in unprofitable and dangerous controversies with foreign nations. Resolved, That we regard the pandering of any party to foreign influence ns fraught with manifold evils to the country, threatening the stability of our institutions and endangering the morals of the people by a contact with the paupers and felons cast upon our shores from the hospitals and prisons of Europe. Resolved, That as American liberty depends for its preservation on the intelligence of the people, universal education is the first duty of the State, and that all attempts, by whomso ever made, or from whatever quarter instiga ted, to destroy such a beneficent system bv perverting it to sectarian purposes, oi oppos ing its progress and extension, because it is not the instrument of inculcating any particu lar religious creed, ought to be resisted as fraught with incalculable mischief and evil. Resolved, That the respect and confidence of this Convention and the people of this Com monwealth are due to the present Chief Ma gistrate of the. State and to the members of his Administration, for the integrity, purity of purpose and sterling patriotism manifested in their official conduct, and we heartily com mend them to the support of every citizen who values the honor and interests of the State, and can appreciate the virtues of devo ted and faithful public servants. Thursday, March 27, 1856. The Convention met at 9 o'clock and ceeded at once to the nomination of a. randi- date for Auditor General : Sankey, 7 91 8 Washburn - - - 3 Evans, - - - - MConkey, - - - 3 jraeips, Foust, Bradford, 2 Waterhouse, - - 1 . Darwin Phelps, of Armstrong county, hav ing received a majority of all the VfttjK vaa unanimously declared the nomineo for Audi tor General. The Convention then proceeded tr. nnmn, a candidate for Surveyor General : Laporte, - - 88 Cobean. shedaker, - -King, - - . Myers, - - - - 4 - 3 - 9 --6 - 3 - 7 Brown, - -Snively, Bartholomew having received a majority or all the votes, was unanimosly declared the nominee for Sur- Tcj-ur general. The Convention then nmrAAflwl In nnm!ntA Cochran, - .vuuiuiiie ior uanal Commissioner - 78 Williamson, - - 12 Power, - - - - 1 Stltt, Martin, 5 Lloyd, .... 4 Thomas E.. Cochrajt, of York county, hav ng received a majority of all the votes east, ' waa unanimously declared the nominee for Ca nal Commissioner. On motion of Mr. Howard a State Central Committee, consisting of on, trom each Sena tonal district, was selected by th delegates from the several districts as foUw, . 1. Joseph B. Flanegan, Jacob Dock phu 2. Henry L. Benner, Oliver P. C4mb " Charles Thompson Jones, Phil'a. n 3. William H. SUrglell, Montgomery. 4. H. Jones Brooke, Dekw&re. 6. Daniel R. Clymer, Berks. C. Henry T. Darlington, Bucks. 7. Peter Martin, Lancaster; George BiS man Lebanon. 8. C. F. Muencb, Dauphin. - 9. B. J. Hagenbuch, Lehigh. 11. David Wills, Adams. 12. Abraham Forry, York. 13. E. Beatty, Cumberland. 14. David C. Boal, Centre. 15. John Peun Jones, Blair. 16. Philip T. Mans, Montour. 17. William Jessup, Susquehanna. 18. Gen. Ashley M. Hills, Clearfield. 19- William Stewart, Mercer. 20. John W. Ilorne, Crawford. 21. Michael Weyand, Beaver. 22. A. H. Miller, Thos.L. Shields, Allegh'y. 23. Thomas Miller, Jr., Washington. 24. 25. 28. 27. 28. GeD. William H. Kooctz, Somerset. Philip Clover, Clarion. Israel Gutelius, Snyder. Robert Stitt, Westmoreland. Robert M. Palmer, Schuvlkill. The Committee met after adjournment, and elected H. Jones Brooke of Delaware county. Chairman. After some remarks by Gen. Small, Hon . John Covode, Mr. Howard and Dr. Gazzam the thanks of the Convention were tendered to the officers and members of the Legislature for their kindness in granting the use of t Hall; when the Convention adjourned with three hearty cheers for the ticket. DISASTER AT SEA. One hundred and thirty-five Lives lost. Oa the 16th of January last, the packet-ship John Rutledge, Capt. Kelly, of New York, left Liv erpool for New York, having on board one hnndred and twenty passengers, and a crew of officers and men numbering sixteen making n all 136 all of whom perished excepting one, 'Ihomas W . .Nye, of New Bedford. Du ring her passage she encountered severe wea ther. On the 18th of February, she passed several icebergs, and on the 19th she entered a field of ice, from which she conH not re lease herself. At about 10 o'clock on the 20th, the John Rutledje struck an iceberg, and at about C o'clock she went down. There were five boats on board, in which one hun dred and thirty four persons were to be saved, two Laving already perished. Four boats pushed off before the one in which Mr. Nyo was. The last boat contained only 13 persons, of which four were women, and one a little girl. Mr. Atkinson, the mate, put his wife In to this boat and while be and the carpenter went to sound the pumps, a heavy sea struck the boat, which broke her from her moorings and drifted her from the ship, which was rap Idly sinking, leaving the mate, carpenter and from SO to 35 passengers on board. The dis tress and suffering of those in the boat is des cribed as most heart-rending. Cast upon th open seas without a compass, among the fogs and mists of the banks of New Foundland, surrounded by drift and berg ice, their pros pects were gloomy indeed. Day after day passed with springing hopes, which the drea ry nights tnrued to bitterness and despair. On the third day one man died -then a woman both were dropped into the sea. The fourth day came and no ray cf fcepe, but the same angry sea, the same loadan sky no water, but a small quantity of food, and the coH so In tense that it almost froze the marrow. TMs day their despair was increased when a l"-';, which hove in eight, disarm-?'? r..-:".r. ve'.ir. out having seen them. A b...-r. : r. ;-r. fell upon all, and Lee.iljss cf yr.r. N; &"a ; ; peals, they fell to drinking sait ',v:er wild delirium ensued. They grew mad and mauder and besought each other to kill them ; ' thea they dreamed of sitting at sumptuous feasts and spoke of the rare dainties which mocked their grasp ; of the delicious beverages which they in vain essayei to quaff. At length worn out with the intensity of their physical and mental sufferings, they grew more subdued, their Laggard faces became-, rigid : their wild eyes assumed a glassy look, and their shrunken forms seemed gradually to subside the next lurch of the boat tumbled them offthc seats, dead ! Snch were the sights which young Nyo witnessed daily. As they died, he threw their bodies into theses; as long as his strength lasted. On the sixth day there were only himself, a small woman wrap ped up in two blankets, and the little girl alive in the boat. Before sunset the child died, and on the day following the woman breathed her last. He had strength enough to throw the body of the child overboard ; but that of tho woman, together with the bodies of three oth ers, was so coiled up under tho thwarts that he was unable to extricate them. Feeling a strong sense of drowsiness creeping over him. he fastened a red shirt and a white shirt to an oar, and hoisting it to attract any passing ves sel, he coiled himself up in the stern of the. boat and dozed away the hours, dreaming of being at home in New Bedford with his family. Fearing that he too might be delirious, he fought against these influences, and kept him self awake by various means.' On the 28th of February a ship hove in sight of the lonely boy. He says that he saw her before those on board discovered him, and he was sure from the fir&t that they would pick him up. That vesse) was tho packet ship Germania, Capt. Wood, from Havre, bound toNew York. When Capt. Wood descried the solitary boat, he ordered one of his own qnarter-boats to be lowered and sent an officer to seo what it contained. As they approached him poor Nye groaned "For Jesus Christ's sake, take me out of this boat." They did take him ont, with womantv tenderness, and with the boat and it. --i load in tow, rowed back to the ship. The young sailor was quickly transferred to tho comfortable cabin of the Germania, and his late companions, already far gone in decompo- o.wuu, wru u.riwn into the sea. The boat was half fall of water, and tbe Kr.H. -...;... aboatin it had covered th seat? and sides tj, safe llOMOP tr L-..,fr.niiwiU" ." SM" K . - rrSCtt.
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