Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-24
LETTER FROM PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Pa, April %, 1861.

Philadelphia, Pa, April %, 1861.
EDITOR JOURNAL These are truly trouble
some times. Treason stalks boldly through
the land, and our Government is in imminent
danger of being overturned by traitors, before
single effective blow can be struck in its de-
fence. n o one, indeed, can tell what an hour
may bring forth, or what new phaze affairs
may assume. On Saturday, the last connect
ing links between the loyal States and the
Nation Capital were severed, by the destruc-
tion of the bridges on the Philadelphia, Will
mington and Baltimore, and the Northern
Central Railroads-the first named leading to
this city the latter to Harrisburg. 1 see it
stated that the city councils of Wilmington
have adopted resolutions approving of the
Presidents call for troops; asked Gov. Barton
to issue proclamation for the same purpose
and appropriated $4,000 for the defence of
the city and the support of the military. If
the Governor does this, and little Delaware
remains faithful to the Union, the seat of
government can be reached through that State.
If, on the other hand, she falters, there is
but one way left to reach the Capital, and
that is to raise force sufficiently strong to
cut way through Maryland, along the Poto-
mac River. Indeed, it is absolutely necessa-
ry to. concentrate large force in the neigh
borhood of Chambersburg, well grounded fears
being entertained that an inroad into Penn
sylvania is contemplated at that point by the
Virginians and Marylanders. In this state of
affairs, it is relief to know that there are
5000 to 6 900 troops, armed and equipped, in
Camp Curtin, at Harrisburgh, ready to march
at moments warning, wherever ordered.
The murderous attack on the Massachusetts,
and Pennsylvania volunteers in Baltimore on
last Friday, has stirred up an intense feeling
of revenge, and created distrust OF the atti-
tude of Maryland, many fearing that she was
fully committed to Secession from the out
start, and that she was hiding her treachery
beneath pretence of loyalty to the Federal
Government. This is hard to believe, and
time will soon show whether these suspicious
are well or i'll founded. There is rcmarka-
BILE coincidence connected with the killing of
the soldiers on this occasion. The occurrence
took place on the 18th day Of April, and the
men who lost their lives belonged to the 7th
the 18th day of April. 1775, the 7th Regiment
of Massachusetts troops were the first who
lost man in the struggle that was then pend
ing. Thus, on corresponding days, in the
same month, the 9TH Regiment from the same
State, then shed the first blood IN the great
struggle for freedom, and now in defending
the liberties then achieved.
bon of -xpiI1
| have any doubts as to what should be done in
| the present emergency. The simple issue is
shall the United States rule this land, or
shall the so-called Confederate States usurp
the government There is no middle course
to be pursued. 1t is all folly to talk of pursu-
ing a mere defensiue policy. The traitors
must be crushed out of existence. Forbear-
| ance is no longer virtue. They have spurn-
| ed all offers of concliation or adjustment
| they have inaugurated wholesale schemes of
| revolutions they have made war upon the u
| non, and have murdered volunteers peaceful
| ly marching to defend the Capitol. The whole
North, though usually ssslow to wrath,'' pa
| tient and forbearing, is at last aroused. The
| old spirit OF &c is stirred up anew, and the
descendants of the heroes of Bunker Hill, Sar-
atoga, Brandywine, Tippecanoe and Chippe-
wa, are flying to arms. Nor will they stop
until the s.stars and stripes once more float
over the whole Union. The Rebel States
must be subjugated. They must be forced to
yield to the Federal Government; and the in
| dividual who throws himself in the breach to
prevent this, will be crushed to atoms.
| Yours, X.