Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-09-12
fconetuded from, first page.l

lConciuded from first page.]
ANYTHING of the practical operation OF our sys-
tenn. The President of the United States, as
the head of a great party, is very powerIui
officer. But if without opinions and wifhout
men to support policy. he is no heavier tnah
a feather blown about by every wind. Ine
attempt then to present him to the country as
a candidate without distinctive principles on
the issues of the day, is either made without
good faith, and solely to distract the ranks OF
the reformers-or, if honestly made, III is
purely sentimental movement, without par
tical of practical value in the disposal OF
single living question. In either case, vote
given for Mr. Bell would connt no more to-
wards any valuable result in our present emer-
gency than if it werel thrown away upon any
one of us here present.
With respect to the third candidate, Mr..
Douglas, the same remark cannot be applied
to him. He is distinguished for one idea,
which he proposes as sovereign remedy for
every existing difficulty. He has repeated 1t
so frequently that there is no excuse for any
of us if We do not master it. He is for per-
mitting people everywhere to do as they ike
about slay cry, provided, only, that they have
come together and decided the point, under
an organic act of some kind or other. To him
the difference is wholly immaterial whether
they establish or prohibit slavery. whilst liv-
ing under the United States. He would rec
ognise their action in either case with equal
good will. presume that he would, OF course
follow out his doctrine to its farther logical
consequences. and entertain similar impair
tiality if the same community came with po-
lygamy, or incest, or promiscious intercourse
or private assassination, or any other institu-
tion of that sort likewise incorporated into
their social system. Ny objection to this doc
trine is, that it is sadly defective in morals,
and equally unsound in politics. To say that
no community would ever be likely to do any
Iol fora ftafy oh 10
has no practical value, is not good answer
For the history of the world will show that at
one time or another, each of these practices
has been legalIzed by some community
Hence, am not prepared to sever the cord
which in my mind always indissoubiy con-
meets great principles of morals with every
discussion of legislation and of government.
Neither am prepared to throw to the winds
all regard for the fundamental doctrines of the
patriots Of the last century, which rested the
rights of men upon something little less ar
bitrary and capricious than distinctions of race
which protected liberty against the assault OF
mere brute force, even though the latter came
clothed in all the solemnity of law of its own
making. If these are all the Improvements
patented by the distinguished Senator from
Illinois, they carry but little value in my eye.
1t may, indeed, be true, that in general their
practical effect might be to throw all the new
territories into the hands of the more active
who would be sure to destroy slavery by the
process of unfriendy legislation and thus
the preponderance of freedom would be per-
manently established. But there is such a
thing as purchasing an advantage at too dear
rate. | must continue to esteem Thomas
Jefferson better legislator than Mr. Douglas,
as well as more comprehensive statesman.
He sowed great principles to yield their rich
stores of wholesome fruit in all coming time,
whilst our contemporary scatters wheat and
tares iDdiscriminatey, and with perfect Indlf-
ference which may grow up the strongest, and
choke the other. l know not how it may be
with others, but in my humble judgment Mr..
Douglass success would scarcely indicate
that restoration of the purest doctrines of the
fathers which it is the desire OF most of us to
bring round.
There is, then, but single safe way of dis
posing of the present question. That is, to
vote for the candidate of party which is uni
ted, and harmonious, and sincerely bent upon
an honest and patriotic object-the restoration
of the government to its original policy-the
establishment of system of liberty and law
Elect Abraham Lincoln, and you will give tC
the world pledge that you have not lost the
spirit of your fathers that you are still, a:
they were before you, the friends of intelligent
and we'll regulated freedom all over the globe
Philadelphia can do much towards this desira-
bic result. She owes it to herself, to her an
cient reputation, TO her future fame, to give
her helping hand in this emergency, to deter
mine the national policy in wise and liber-
al direction, and to confirm the government
instead OF permitting it to fall into impotent
hands or petty factions. know that you whc
are here present will do your duty. and so viii
multitudes whoare not within the reach of my
voice and Heaven, IN its mercy, grant tha
your and their truest efforts in this election bt
crowned with the only success that we desire
the prosperity and the glory of our common
country.