Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-09-11
NEETING

union democrats of Clearfield County. con-
veued at Curwensylle, on Tuesday eveaing,
Sept. Sd, 1861. The meeting was called to
order by the appointment of Jacob Hoover,
President, Geo. B. Dale, Ab'm Gates, Sam'l
Arnold, Henry Hiles, John ]. Miller and j.
Denning, vice Presidents and Wm j. Hemp.
hill, j ohnMcN aul and Wm P Beck Secretaries.
The object of the meeting having been stat
ed, the following named gentlemen were ap
pointed a committee to draft preamble and
resolutions expressive of the sense of the
meeting, viz: Hugh w. Mullen, Jos. Dem
ming, Solomon ]. Gates, VIM. A. Dale, Geo.
Wilson and Ii. p. Thompson. The commit
tee retired short time for consultation, and
then submitted the following report which
was unanimously adopted by the meeting:
Whereas, 1t is evident to all thinking men,
that we as a nation have been precipated upon
evil times, and in the language of the lament
cd Douglas, '.whoever is not prepared to sacri-
flee party organization and platforms on the
altar of his country, does not deserve the sup
port and countenance of honest people, and
that when shall have rescued the Govern
ment and Country from its perils, and see its
flag float in triumph over every inch of Amer
ican soil, it will then be time enough to en-
quire as to who and what has brought these
troubles upon us. When we shall have
country and government for our children to
live in peace and happiness, it will be time E.
nough for each of us to return to our own party
banners, according to our own convictions of
right and duty ~ and we think it is the duty
of every honest man and good citizen, without
respect to party, to give to the government his
hearty and cordial support in every effort it may
make to crush this most wicked, causeless,
and unholy of all rebellons against and for
the overthrow of the best government ever de-
vised and instituted by man for his protection
and enjoyment; government, TOO, that has
never laid a fingers weight upon any of its
lsol,x tI.,fk
present cry of peace, peace, when there is no
prospect of peace, is only designed and calcu
lated 10 divide and weaken us nation, and
10 give aid and comfort to our enemies and we
cannot countenance or support any man or
set of men who continually endeavoring to
throw obstacles in the way of our government
in the prosecution of the war.
Therefore, Resolped, That we believe this
government to be Of more value to us and our
children than any mere party organiZati on
that its principles and thor preservation are
superior to party creeds party dicipline,-
and therefore, no man has right to pause in
his difference with an administration before he
agrees to yield his adhesion to its policy of
suppIessing rebellion.
Resoired, That we regard the platform laid
down by the late representative Convention at
st. Mary's as the very essence of treason, and
that we can support no,man for the Legislature
who would permit himself to be placed upon
it and that we pledge ourselves to use every
honorable means TO elect TO seats in the Leg
islature, men who are unconditional Union
men, and who will uphold and strengthen the
hands of the general government in every pos
sible manner, to the end that ebellion may be
crushed and traitors punished.
ResolUed, That the course pursued by such
men as Henry Clay and Daniel Webster in 49,
80, when South Carolina attempted her scheme
of notification under Gen. Jackson's admin
istration, IN sinking the partisan in the patri-
OF, and rushing to the support and becoming
the ablcSt defenders of his administration in
its efforts to crush treason and rebeiion, mer A
its the emulation and imitation of all true
democrats under the present situation of our
government and as this course, on their part,'
was never considered evidence of political
treachery, neither do we tear that the firm and
unfalteriDg support we may now give to the
present administration, under precisely simi-
lar circumstances, will ever be deemed 10y SEN
sible and good men any evidence of inidel
ity to the Democratic party and democratic
principles on our part.
ResOlued, That in view OF these facts, we
are in favor, tor the present of eschewing all
party platforms, and party elimination and re-
elimination, and uniting upon two good and
unconditional Union men as candidates to
represent us in our State Legislature, who will
by their voices and votes, in every possible
manner, strengthen the arm of the general gov
ernment in its efforts to conquer a speedy and
honorable peace, and that whenever this shall
have been accomplished, the war sh oud cease
Resoiued That we can have no faith in the
patriotism of that class of men amongst us,
who would paraize the arm of the government
10y hair-spltting constitutional quibbles, and
yet can find words of condemnation for the |
countless usurpatiOns of the Southern traitors. |
Resolred. That we believe whenever surroun-
ding circumstances are such as to require eX
traordinary measurs to be adopted, and extra
ordinary responsibilities to be assumed by our
rulers for the preservation of this glorious
government, formed by the noblest band OF
patriots that the world has ever produced, un-
less they boldly step forward and assume those
responsibilities, they not the men for their
places, and dishonoring and betraying the
sacred trust confided to them by the American
people and would deserve to be eXecrated by |
all patriotic men. .s.-t
Resolred, That having the most unbounded
confidence in our fellow Democrat DAVID G.
DALE, who has for months past been in the
ranks of his country's defenders, we recon-
mend his name to the favorable consideration |
Of the Union Convention to be held at Ridgway
on the 5th inst, as being the man for the times
and place, to represent us in our State Legis
lature and if nominated, we pledge ourselves
to give him our undivided support at the COM
ing October election.
Resoiued, That Samuel Arnold, Henry Kern
and W. J. Hemphill be, ahd they are hereby
constituted delegates TO said Convention on
the 9Th inst. at Ridgway, and they hereby |
instructed to use every honorable exertion to
secure the nomination of David G. Dale.
Resolued, That we diSapprove of the course
pursued by the ssClearfleld Republican" in not
publishing such speeches as those of Hon.
Joseph Holt of Kentucky, Hon. Andrew j ohm.
son Of Tennessee, Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson
of New York. and other Union Democrats,
and in not giving a hearty and cordial support