Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-09-25
THE PRIVATE PLATFORM.

THE PRIVATE PLATFORM
WHEREAS, A widespread rebellion exists
which has for its object the dismemberment of
our glorious Union and the Democratic party
OF Clearfield county, having assembled in Mass
Convention, under the supervision of the
Clearfield clique, to express their views touch
ing the present condition of the country,
therefore
BE it Resolred, That the history of this re-
bellion is the history of the Breckinridge De-
mocracy-that, as in times past, the Breckin-
ridge Democracy have always admired Davis
and Toombs and Yancy and Hunter and the
other chief traitors in this rebellion as leaders
of our party; in the present, when stout
hearts and willing hands are needed by SAID
Davis to fight against the Northern Aboli-
tionists, we still remember our old friends,
the present traitors, and have refrained from
saying anything disrespectful and abusive of
them, but have not ceased to render them our
influence by denouncing Abraham Lincoln,
and all Abolitionists in general, as the authors
of every calamity that ever came, or will come,
upon the country.
ResotUed, That we must profess to stand by
the Administration of Abraham Lincoln in all
legitimate measures to accomplish Constitu
tional objects; but in order that our old friends,
the present traitors, may not have cause to
complain we will, still continue to denounce
all the measures of the said Abraham Lincoln
sttutonal.
Resolved. That we must deny that the right
exists IN any State to secede from the Union.
But our old friends, the present traitors, mnst
know that this amounts to nothing, since we
hold with James Buchanan and Judge Black
that State cannot be coerced, and therefore
secession cannot be prevented.
Resolred, That we must profess to be so pa
triotic as not to jungle about the origin of the
war. But, our old friends, the present traitors,
need not suppose that we are going to follow
Douglas and Holt and Dickinson and urge
war of subjugation upon them, for we believe,
that slavery is of Divine origin-that the South
has been greatly wronged by the Black Re-
pubicans, and we go for peace by granting
them everything they the South may ask, if
only they will stay in the Union.
Resoiued, That as we are really in favor of
stopping the war for the benefit of our old
friends, the present traitors; therefore we are
in favor of National Convention to make
new compact, better contrived than the present
Constitution, which was made by one George
Washington ana Benjamin Frank lin and few
more old fogies, who never saw the ssClearteld
Republican, and were so ignorant as not to
know that slavery was Divine institution.
ReSofUed, That whilst think the condition
OF the country may demand extreme and unac-
customed measures, still old friends the pres
ent traitors, may rest assured that if Lincoln
any such measures, we will denounce them S
deSpotic and Observation-Disclosures instance, If
any of the traitors are taken prisoners and Lin
coin does not allow Judge of Secession sympa-
thies to set them free by means of writ of habeas
corpus, then we will denounce it a gross viola
tlon of Constitutional rights. If Lincoln sup
presses any Secession sheet like the DAY Book
then will denounce it as violation of freedom
of the Press; and, if any is molested for talk
ing treason we will deHounce it as violating liberty
of speech. In the mean time will as hereto
fore, carefully refrain from uttering ANYTHING of
fensive to our old friends, the present traitors -
and even if they should continue to tar and feath-
er and hang such men as are from Northern soil
who foolish enough to express an attach
ent for that thing they call the Stars and Stripes
we will say nothing about it But if any one in
the North should be rode rail for talking
treason we will denouncs it a most diabolical
outrage.
Resoired, That so much of the st. Mary's
platform conflicts with the foregoing, Is
hereby repealed. But, our old friends, the
present traitors, will see that everything in
the ST. Mary's resolutions can he explained to
be perfectly consistent with all our other res
olutions, and they may be assured tha. this
repeating clause amounts to nothing, and was
only inserted here because some people, whose
votes we wanted, made a fuss about the St.
Mary's platform.
ReSolved That think it best not to publish
the foregoing resolutions, but that a copy be m ade
out for the private use of each mem ber of the
Clearfeld clique and also one to each member
of the party who has been active in getting up
clubs tor the 'Day-Book. Also, two extra cop
les to each of the Editors of the "Clearield Re-
publican" and indefinite number of extra
copies to DR.. Boyer; some of which he is TO send
to Vallandigham, Breckinridge. and the rest of
that "sma all patriot band.'' who have been hon.
orably noticed by the Editors of the "Clearfeld
Republican," and SO boldly endorsed at st. Ma
ry's-the rest to be sent to the Southern widows
and orphans referred to in the st. Mary's reso
lutions, and for whom the kind he arted Doctor,
in common with all true DAY Book Democrats,
feels tender solicitude.