Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-03-27
THE FoLICY OF MR.. LINCOLN.


The home organ of the new President. the
Springfield Journal, says that Mr.. Lincoln is
determined to exhaust all honorable means 10
bring about a peaceful solution of our Nation
al troubles, and, in so doing, he is weakening
the strength ut the enemy and adding immense
Is to his own. Ii resort TO the sword shall
ever become necessary To sustain the Govern
ment it will be no fault of his, ifihe respon-
sbiiity shall not clearly rest upon the ene-
mics of the Union. Mr.. Lincoln is peculiar
ly situated. He comes into possessi On of the
reins of Government at a time when Floyd,
Cobb and Others have depleted the Federal
treasury-transported to the South the ma orr
part OF the arms ana munitions OF war-sent
to distant seas the Federal nsyy-sent reve-
nue. cutters where the traitors could easily
seize them through the treason of those who
commanded them-and left the most of the
forts of the South in the command of traitors,
chief among whom is Twiggs. He succeeds
President who permitted the siege against
Sumter to go on until reinforcement OF that
fort has become almost impossible. He finds
seven States pretending to be ont 81 the z
nion and arrayed.in open rebellion against the
Federal Government, with President, Cab
net. Congress, an army, etc. He finds the
border slave States talking of seeding, and
he finds in the Northern States I small party
of men sympathlsing with treason. These are
the discouraging circumstances under which
he goes into power. II is his purpose TO pre-
serve this Government, peaceably if he can,
iorcibly if he must. All honorable and peace
able means will be resorted to, and il they fail,
then comes the other alternative. Peace is
infinitely preferable 10 wari If il can be obtain
ed honorably; and we are satisfied that Mr..
Lincoln is determined TO pursue a peace pol
icy as far as he can do SO with honor to the
Government. The evacuation of Sumter,
however, must not be construed into peace
Offering 10 treason, but as a measure made
necessary by the treachery of Buchanan, 1t
is understood that Gen. Scott advises the evac-
uation of this fortress grand stroke of
strategy. Oihec steps extremely distastefnl
to the friends of the Union, Mr.. Lincoln may
find ii necessary to take, owing TO The condi-
ton in which Buchanan left the country. For
tunately, the great majority OF the true friends
Of Union have unbounded confidence in the
honesty. patriotism and frmness of the Presi-
dent. What he and his Cabinet decide to do,
the country will. for the most part, believe
best to he done. for he and they are in posi-
tion where they can better understand the trIle
situation ofafai-s. NJ. Lincoln viii, we doU0I
not, pursue course that VIII hold the border
slave States in he Union and give the sece-
ded STATES no excuse for their action. In the
mean time, we apprehend, the forces of the
Government will be placed in condition 10
be made available shonld serious troubles
sue. In this connection we would caution our
readers against placing implicit faith in all the
rumors found in our -telcgraphic columns.
Nearly one half of the rumors set afoat since
Lincoln's election have been without the
slightest foundation in fact. 1t is not likely
that the President and his Cabinet going
to publish 10 the world every step they intend
to take nor the reasons therefor. The good of
the country may require close counsel.