Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-03
SCHEMES OF COMPROMISE.


are to be thought of at all at such time, the
Republicans will be Overwhelmingly in the
majority; but when the existence of the Gov
ernment and the integrity of the national ter
ritory are at stake, there can be but one line
OF division between parties, viz: that which
separates the friends from the enemies of the
country. There may be few men in each
House whose hearts are not thoroughly In
sympathy with the efforts OF the people 10
suppress rebellion, and it will be the duty OF
the people and of the Press to watch their
motions. Whoever is not in favor of prose-
cutting the war until the traitors over
thrown-whoever begins to talk about offer
ing terms of compromise, or of suspending
hostilities until the rebels ground their arms
may be set down as sympathser with the
enemy.
When the right of secession was matter OF
speculation merely, it is but charitable to adj
NIT that the friends of the heresy might be
faithful in their allegiance to the country but
now that its recognition as fact comes up
for action, and the honor of the nation is
staked upon it's suppression, it is safe to say
that no man who favors it, whether he be
Northern or Southern, can be patriot; and
the integrity and fidelity of Congressman or
others who propose or advocate the right OF
States to secede, should at once be suspected.
OF course, no man of honor whose sympa-
thies are with the rebels can for moment
think of swearing to support the Constitution; /;
and the people will have little more conf
dence in those who, after taking the official
oath, go to work to defeat the measures OF
Government for the overthrow of the traitors.
A man cannot serve two masters or two coun-
tries, and he who sympathizes with rebellion
cannot be trusted to guard the ramparts OF the
Constitution.
We owe, at the present moment, legitimate
ly one hundred Of millions Of dollars. Four
years ago, there was surplus of some millions
of dollars in the national treasury. The in
crease of this debt occurred under the last
administration, and was made necessary by
events growing out of that administration.
Those events are all connected with the de-
fence, advocacy and spread of slavery-and
who encourage its popagandism, we are in
debted for this increased responsibility. This
war was brought about by those who deemed
that the institution OF slavery was in danger.
1t was this faith that kindled the fire on the
affairs of South Carolina-the same faith
| spread the flame from State to State, until the
| confagration has become one which threatens
to consume all that we are as nation. This
| one hundred millions is mere item of small
amount when compared to what slavery has
| cost this government. The millions which
| were spent in driving the Indians from the
swamps Of Florida so that they could be oc-
cupied with slaves. The millions on millions
which it has cost to keep up the post-routes-
maintain forts and arsenals-support custom
| house officers and fee attorneys and marshals.
The millions more that were swallowed up in
the war with Mexico, another pretext to ad-
vance and increase the institution and numer-
ical strength of slavery, go to swell the fig
ures of those expenses, until the amount be-
comes one of unprecedented magnitude. All
this has been done to satisfy slavery. Mill
ions on millions exhausted that would have
relieved free labor-life and limb sacrificed
| that were dear to communicative national
circuit leNeleu anu inc ndIlOndl HOHOr DuTnlll-
ated. All for slavery-all for a mean and lazy
arstocracy, that regard the laboring men of
the north only the equals of their slaves,
unfit to govern or unfit to battle with in a con-
test for government. And yet in the face Of
these facts, mon talk of compromising. When
the force and strength and the devotion of
the people are annoyed to defend the govern
| ment, and settle the questions growing out of
the assumptions of slavery, we are calmly in
vited to compromise. We are impudently
asked to make terms of peace with traitors,
and again welcome them back into the fellow
ship of government, as if they had never vio-
lated law, defed an authority, or sworn an
oath to destroy nationality from which they
derived the means and the implements to car
ry on their rebellion.
JEFFERsoS's NOTIONS OF ssCoEasIoN. I'm
answer to questions put to him in 1886, be-
fore the adoption of the present Constitution,
Jefferson wrote ssIt has often been said that
the decisions Of Congress are impotent, be-
cause the confederation provides no compul-
sorry power. But when two or more nations
enter into compact, it is not unusual for them
to say what shall be done to the party who in
| fringe it. Decency forbids, and it is as un-
/ 4 -