Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-02

grow In audacity; gradually WELD all the pow
ers of the executive and Judiciary to its own
ends, and finally, turn the United States into
a despotism, not only toward the African race,
but a tyranny of the slave power over the
friends of human freedom"
Some might counsel silence upon this sub
ject. Mr.. Kirk believed, for one the day of
silence passed forever; and that the cautious
and conservative will soon discover it. The
introduction of Missouri as slave State, the
base violation of the very compact formed at
her admission, the history of Kansas, and pre-
sent condition of affairs, were connected to-
gether, and traceable to the same Fountain
The river has not yet reached its mouth; it
might be forded here but soon it would sweep
away, IN its terrific current, Constitution en-
actments and every human barrier, and under
mine the republic itself No man could re-
sist the corrupting influence, and fierce temp
tations, and the tremendous impulse of abso-
Lutte, irresponsible power over our fellow men,
having accepted it. That slave owners should
aim to control the mighty forces of our gener-
al government, he did not wonder; nor did he
question that they were doing it.
1he'o iAN SiiiS POIblNV W tiC tluhutE-IlOuu
that hung over us. ssGod,'' said he, .smay a.
vert it. Man can not. Coaxing, compromise,
letting alone, are all too late. Mr.. Brooks
is nothing in this matter. Mr.. Douglas is
nothing in this matter. The doctrine that a
negro is not a man and the doctrine the the ne
gro is a man have now come to the death-strug-
gle of the contest. Neither will yield until
continent has been swept with the deluge of
civil war; The murders, ddels, the false
sense of honor, the carrying of arms, were a
natural growth of that institution, and sswhen
the Southern chivalry comes to form the Gus
toms of Freedoms metropolis, and gutta per-
cha bludgeons take the place OF candid dis
cussion, free men will bear it no Ionger.''
Men might talk of dissolution of the Union
but he believed that when ii came, it would be
a moral dissolution, and not territorial one
and when men were weary of fanatical and
protracted war, some Napoleon the L. or III.
would take the reins of power, and as many
white men and as many negroes would be
left would be the slave population of America.
When brothers fight, they fight to the death,
and when the Union is dissolved, Freedom
bids the world farewell; the hopes of our IA
theirs, and the hopes of the oppressed, the
hopes of the best spirits in Europe sink for
the present century. A civil war in America
will be a war of the worldi the despotic pow
ers of Europe, the Catholic powers, will take
the side of the Cavaliers against the Puritans.
Our present duty was to penitentially seek
forgiveness for the sins of the past. Our only
hope was in repentance. He did not mean to
say we must not act; that, perhaps, we must
not fight. But action would be wise or safe
until God should have forgiven us. God could
deliver us, and would, in answer to prayer
We learned this from Gods commands and
promises, and from the recorded examples of
men and communities.
He did not believe that praying was all we
had to do but nothing would be effectual, un-
til a portion of the people, at least humbled
themselves before the offended majesty of
God. 1t was easy to counsel violence it was
easy to counsel inaction neither of these rem
edies would meet the 'EBut our God
will show the remedy, when we shall have re-
turned to him with contrite hearts. Until then
we know not what to do"
We should recognize our perilous and pain
full condition and should see the hand of God
in it, permitting the punishment of our sins /;
we should turn unto the hand that was shifting
us and seek forgiveness for the past and
strength and guidance for the future. In con-
Guiding DR.. Kirk referred Christians for their
watchword to the 10th Psalm of David.