Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-31


be foreign or domestic; no neutrality between
that glorious flag which now floats over and
| the lngrates and traitors who would trample it
in the dust. My prayer is for victory, COM
| plete, enduring, and overwhelming, to the ar
mics of the Republic over all its enemies.
am against any and every compromise that
may be proposed TO be made under the guns
of the rebels, while at the same time | am de-
| cidedly in favor of affording every reasonable
! guarantee for the safety of Southern institu-
| tions which tne honest convictions OF the peo-
| ple-not the conspiratorS-of the South may
| demand, oheneuer they shaa lay doton their
arms, but not until then. The arbitrament of
the sword has been defianty thrust into the
face of the Government and country, and
there is no honorable escape from it. All
guarantees and all attempts at adjustment by
amendments to the Constitution now
scornfully rejected, and the leaders of the re-
bellion openly proclaim that they are fighting
for their independence. In this contemptu-
| Gus rejection of guarantees, and in this avowal
of the objects of the rebellion now SO auda-
ciously made, we have complete exposure OF
that fraud which through the Slavery agita-
tion has been practiced upon the public ere
dulity for the last fifteen or twenty years. In
the light of this revelation, we feel as one
wakened from the suffocating tortures of
nightmare, and realize what baseless dream
our apprehensions have been, and OF what
traitorous swndie we have been made the vic
Tins. They are fighting for their indepen-
dence !! Independence of what Indepen-
dence of those laws which they themselves
have aided in enacting /; independence of that
Constitution which their fathers framed, and
to which they are parties and subject by in
heritance independence Of that benefcent
Government on whose treasury and honors
they have grown strong and illustrous.
When man commits a robbery on the high
way, murder in the dark, he thereby de-
Ella bis iudp of bo
which he lives, and of the society of which he
is member. Should he when arraigned a.
VOW and justify the offence, he thereby be-
comes the advocate of the independence he
has thus declared; and, if he resists by force
OF arms the office when dragging him to the pris-
on, the pententiary, or the gaiows, he is thereby
fighting for the independence he has thus de-
cared and advocated; and such is the condi-
tion of the South at this moment. 1t is no
longer question of Southern rights, which
have never been violated, nor of security of
Southern institutions, which we know perfect
ly well have never been interfered with by the
General Government, but it is purely with us
a question of national existence. In meeting
this terrible issues which rebellion has made
up with the loyal men of the country, we stand
upon ground infinitely above all party lines
and party platforms-ground as sublime as
that which our fathers stood when they
fought the battles of the Revolution. l am
on us all the material and moral resources
and energies of the nation, in order that the |
struggle may be brief and as little sanguinary |
possible. 1t is hoped that we shall soon |
see in the field halt a million of patriotic vol |
unteers, marching in columns which will be |
perfectly irresistible, and borne in their hands |
for no purpose of conquest or subjugation, |
but OF protection only-we may expect with |
in nine months to see the Stars and Stripes |
floating in every Southern breeze, and hear |
going up, wild as the storm, the exultant |
shout of that emancipated people over their
deiverance from the revolutionary terror and |
despotism by which they are now tormented |
and oppressed. The war, conducted on such |
a scale will not cost exceeding four or five |
hundred million of dollars and none need be
startled at the vastness of this expenditure. |
The debt thus created will press but slightly |
upon rs; it will be paid and gladly paid by
posterity, who will make the best bargain
which has been made since the world began if
they can secure to themselves in its integrI-
ty and blessings such government as this at
such cost. But if, in this anticipation are
doomed to disappointment il the people of
theU States have already becmae so degenerate
may not say craven-n the presence of
their foes as TO surrender up this Republic to
be dismembered and subverted by the traitors
who have reared the standard of revolt against
it, then | trust the volume of American his
tory will be closed and sealed up forever, and
that those who shall survive this national hui
initiation will take unto themselves some 9TH
er name-some name having relation to
the past no relation to our great ancestors,
no relation to those monuments and battle
fields which commemorate alike their heroism,
their loyalty, and their glory.
But with the curled lip of scorn we are told
by the disunionists, that in supporting Re-
publican Administration in its endeavors to
uphold the Constitution and laws, we are
tI.o,-
nouuced this word they suppose they have
imputed to us the of all abasement.
Well, let it be confessed we are "submission-
istS," and weak and spiritesS as it may be
deemed by some, we glory in the position we
occupy. For example: the law says ssThou
shalt not steal;'' we submit to this law, and
would not for the world s. worth rob our neigh.
Dor of his forts, his arsenals, his munitions of
var, his hospital stores, anything that is
his. Indeed so impressed are we with the OBJ
igations of this law, that we would no more
hink of plundering from our neighbor half
million of dollars because found in one of his
mints, than, we would think of
Itching purse from his pocket in crowded
Write us down therefore 'ssub-
nissonists.' Again The law says s'thou
shalt not swear falsely !" we submit to this {
aw, and while in the civil or military service
If the country, with an oath to support the {
Constitution of the United States resting up !
IN our CODSC1enCeS, VIC WOuiu not 1Or any
earthly consideration engage in the formation
,r execution of a conspiracy to subvert that {
,ery constitution, and with it the Government
o which it has given birth. Write US down {
therefore, osubmssionists." But again : {
When President has been elected in strict {
accordance with the forms and spirit of the {
and has been regularly installed !
nto Office and is honestly striving to discharge
lis duty by snatching the Republic from the {
avs of gigantic treason which threatens to !