Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-04
PRENTICE on GEN. cAnrRon,s sprEcH


On the Goth of November, Col. Forney gave
. supper in honor of Mr.. Prentice.who was on
visit to Washington. After supper quite
number of those present expressed their opin-
ions in reference to the aspect of National
affairs. Sec'yCameron, it is reported, expire ssed
the opinion that, Gas last resort, to put down
rebellion, we ought 10 arm every man who de-
sres to strike for human liberty Sec'y
Smith said, "the Administration contemplated
no such policy.' And as Sec'y Cameron did
not question the truth Of Sec'y Smiths protes-
tation, it is fair to presume, that Cameron
stands merely as his own representative, and
that the Administration is not responsi BILE for
| private opinion, expressed at private sup
per party. In reference to Mr.. Cameron's
"speech,' Mr.. Prentice in writing to his paper,
the Louisville Journal, holds the following
language
0We need not gay that, in this difference
between Mr.. Cameron and the Administration,
we agree heartily with the Administration,
as set forth by Secretary SmitL, is both right
and expedent; the policy recommended by
Mr.. Cameron is both wrong and inexpedient.
II is wrong and inexpedient in a measure
utterly fatal. Moreover, it is in other respects
unworthy OF q virtuous and enlightened ma
tion. 1t is wrong, because it proposes
step not merely unconstitutional, but radically
and permanently inconsistent with the ends
of the Constitution. 1t proposes to annihilate
one Of the great Institutions Of the country as a
means of preserving the country. In short, 1t
proposes to preserve the whole by destroying
a part. The policy is thus illegitimate and
absurd. II our antagonist were foreign
enemy the case might be different, for in
that event the end of the conflict would be
L. A.
conflict the end Is not only to master the enc
my, but to 30 master him as to preserve the
country in its full constitutional integrity.
The chief and real end of the war is the preser-
vation of the country; the mastering of the
enemy is but means to this end. What in a
foreign conflict would be the end is in tho pre-
sent conflict but mode of securing the end.
This is a distinction which from the nature of
things, must characterize civil war in all free
Cover nments. 1t is vital distinction. 1t,
however, is distinction Of which Mr. Gamer
on appears to be either ignorant or oblivious
OF course the waging of the war in such way
as to destroy Constituent part of the country
for whose total preservation the war is carried
on would be so far forth to sacrifice the end to
the means. The policy, as we have said, is
illegitimate and absurd. n Nor does it derive
the smallest comfort from the falacy that as
slaves are property they should be set free
with as little reluctance as cattle in paddock.
Slaves are property, but to set the slaves of
the South free would be not merely to confis-
| cate so much property, but to extinguish at
| blow the institution Of slave property in this
| country. 1t would not only dissolve the cast
| ings but shatter the mould. 1t would br, ak
| the die as we'll as melt down the coin. 1t
| would not alone pluck the fruit of tho tree, but
cut up bv the roots the tree itself. In other
words, it would, as we have contended above,
| destroy costituent part of the country for
4 whose preservation entire the war is prosecu-
ted. The policy, therefore, Is wrong, being
illegitimate and absurd"
| The Philadelphia Ledger of November 26th.
neutral paper contains the following editorial
notice of Mr.. Prentice's article
sNor VERY DEcENr.-Mr. Prentice, of the
| Louisville Journal, had private party given
| to him in Washington few days ago. Mr..
| Secretary Cameron, at the party, is reported
| to have said that Gas last resort to put down
rebellion, We ought 10 arm every man who de-
| sires to strike tor human liberty This is
not what Mr.. Cameron said. He was speaking
| OF the power and resources OF the Government
to overcome the rebellion, declaring that it
| would be put down bey ond all preadveuture-
that the great white race of the North would
re-estabish this Government in every State of
the Union, and in the effort were bound to
avail themselves of every means in their power.
| The end was not yet, and when the last card
that the South's boasted source of strength
was its great element of weakness. He was
not for massacre, and war upon woman and
children; but the slaves would be duly organ
lied and armed, and, governed by the rules OF
modern warfare, allowed to aid in the spread
Of human liberty, and in crushing out this
most unholy rebellion. MIR. Cameron's pur-
pose seemed more to show the South's utter
inability to stand against the North, than to
present any policy Of the Government, or in
deed of any fixed purpose of his own. His
ailusion to any slave participation in the war
as we are informed by one who was present
was only a remote contingency, unlikely to
happen, and which happening, removed all
hope of ultimate success by the rebels. Mr.
Smith, another member of the cabinet, dis
, sented from this sentiment. The Louisville
Journal, Prentiee's paper, of Friday last came
out in very fierce philippe against the Sec.
retary of War, and denounced him being
intellectually and morally disqualified for hi:
: position, and said the sstime has unquestona
bly, arrived when Mr.. Cameron should be
compelled to retire from the cabfnet. His re-
naming in it longer will be disgrace TO the
administration and sore evil to the country
This is certainly very low abuse, considering
J that Mr.. Prentice received the remarks of Mr.
} Cameron, praises and all, without murmul
, of dissatisfaction. If he was offended at the
, sentiment, no time was SO appropriate to OBJ
Ject to 1t as at this social and private assemblage
where the sentiments uttered were of a freel
and less guarded character than they would
; be in public set speech, and where the author
Of them would be at liberty to give the qualf
cations which his words undoubtedly admitted
} To make these convivial utterances at private
party the subject for public comment and
, abuse in the newspaper, and to vulgarly assai
the official character of the Secretary of Wa
, therefor, seems most unwarrantable abu Sc o.
hospitality and of social good breeding