Philadelphia (PA) North American and United States Gazette, October 3, 1851

   "The North American is so hard up for ammunition that it has been compelled to resort to a repetition of the slanders of the Harrisburg American, to eke out its sorry slanders against BIGLER; and in doing this, is forced to endorse a publication of the alleged private conversation of Hon. Geo. W. Woodward, at Harrisburg!"–Pennsylvanian.

   We received, from various reliable and responsible sources, the full particulars of the plot suggested by Judge Woodward to one or more of the leading Locofoco managers at Harrisburg for creating a "false alarm" throughout the State; but declined to use them until the papers there, thought proper to lay the facts before the public. Our statements in regard to this matter, with the authority endorsing them, were made when Judge Woodward was in this city, and confirming their truth by a panic speech, intended to effect the very purpose of his unworthy scheme. Why did he remain silent then and allow these imputations to go unnoticed? Our inference is, that he was afraid to confront the charges, and every political movement which has been made by the Locofocos, since this plan of a "false alarm" was concocted, goes to establish the conviction that it was deliberately adopted after counsel, and that the Gorsuch letters, and similar expedients, were the appliances employed to carry it into effect. 

   The contortions of the Pennsylvanian, under the repeated failures which have followed the enterprizes of its managing committee–which Governor Johnston reduced with one dash of the pen from fifteen to seven–and these exposures, are vastly amusing to us. Indeed, we sympathize deeply with the multitudinous afflictions which have so suddenly visited our contemporary, and would offer consolation by advising the practice of that philosophy, which we were compelled to adopt in times gone by. Col. Bigler will be allowed to continue his speculations in lumber, for which he is better adapted than for the management of the affairs of a great State, which requires ability, experience and statesmanship–qualities in which he is admittedly deficient. 

   Since the foregoing was written, (being intended for yesterday's issue,) the Harrisburg American has reached us, containing the following clear and explicit statement, from the gentleman upon whose authority the original publication was made:

                                                                                           HARRISBURG, Sept. 27, 1851. 

   Mr. EDWARD MCPHERSON--Dear Sir:--In reply to your letter of yesterday, inquiring of me as to the truth or falsity of certain expressions used by the Hon. George W. Woodward, while on a recent visit to this place, I would state, than on entering my hotel, (Buehler's) where I have lived for about two years, and where Judge Woodward was also staying, on the evening of Thursday, the 18th instant, my attention was immediately attracted by a conversation in an adjoining room, which I could not, by any possibility, avoid overhearing, between Judge Woodward and Richard M'Allister, Esquire, United States Slave Commissioner at this place. Judge Woodward was giving his views as to the condition of the two parties, and the probable result of the pending contest for Governor. I heard him say, that while hundreds of Democrats were going over to Governor Johnston, he had seen but one single Whig who would oppose him on account of the agitation about slavery, and that he was but recently from a sister State; that something must be done to counteract this movement, or else all would be lost. He said that the best thing they could do would be to get up a panic, and frighten the people about a dissolution of the Union! That in the present condition of things it could be easily done, &c.

   Mr. M'Allister said "Yes, I concur with the Judge--we must get up an alarm, and frighten the community on this Slavery question!" Judge Woodward continued, and said:–"I don't know that there is any cause for alarm; but it is better to raise a false alarm than that Johnston should be elected!" 

   This is the substance of what I heard; and the sentences marked with inverted commas are, word for word, in the language of the parties. 

     Very respectfully, &c.                 JOHN ADAMS.

   The proof is now before the public in a most authentic form, that the fictitious excitement which the Pennsylvanian and it colaborers have been endeavoring to get up, was contrived solely for political effect, and designed to produce an "alarm" which it was hoped would arrest the reaction against Col. Bigler, and stop the "stampede"  which his policy and these disreputable appliances have produced. We are content to submit the plain fact of this case without comment, feeling assured that they will stir up a feeling of indignation among the masses, that will be keenly felt by these conspirators against the public peace, before the polls are closed on Tuesday week.