Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-17
THE People AND THE pRRs1pENr.

THE PEOPLE AND THE PRESIDENT.
The Philadelphia Erening Bulletin of April
18th, contains the following in reference to the
present position Of the National Government:
ssThe people of Pennsylvania are becoming
thoroughly aroused. The decided stand taken
by the President has strengthened him inn
meaSurably in the hearts of the citizens of this
State. In Philadelphia we have evidence of
this before our eyes, and we here from all
parts of the interior that the people are daily
growing more excited and indignant against
the revolutionistS of the South. Party lines
are disappearing, and the whole people are
combining in one grand party. pledged to the
President and the Union. The few that have
heretofore had the courage to apologize for Sc.
cession and treason, are diminishing in num-
bers. Some Of the strongest of the Breckn-
ridge Democrats declare that the government
must be sustained in its resistance to Southern
aggressions. If Mr.. Buchanan, instead of first
countenancing treason and then sending to
Congress pusillanimous message, saying he
could not prevent secession, had acted as Mr..
Lincoln is doing, the people would have been
just as enthusiastic in behalf of the Govern
ment in November last, they are now in A
prl. Then the five months that have just E.
lapsed would have sufficed to consolidate the
Union, and restore peace and harmony among
the States. Now the President has to endeav-
or to undo the mischief that was done by his
honest and faithful, having no selfish views,
no military ambition to crafty, he will receive
as generous support from the people as Cen
eral Jackson did when he was dealing with
the nullifiers. In Pennsylvania we see this
already, and in all the Middle, New England
and Western States, the same state of affairs
is reported. If the President needed them,
he could have million of men offered to him.
Pennsylvania could supply hundred thous-
and in few weeks, and then double the num-
ber if that was not enough. In the interior of
our State we hear that the people are growing
very excited, and volunteer companies are
organizing, all impatient to be ordered into
service. 1t is in no vauntng or clustering
spirit that we mention this, and with no idea
of frightening the Southerners. But it is
cheering to know that in the issue raised by
the Secessonists, which offer to the people
choice between Government and Anarchy,
Pennsylvania and her neighbor States decide
I in favor of Government. They are with the
President in every honorable step he takes to
defend the Government. They do not desire
to engage waptonly in war with our Southern
fellow citizens. But is war if made upon the
Government, they want to have the privilege
of fighting in its defence.'
How Is IT. 1t is contended by many OF the
opponents of the Union that free suffrage has
proved failure, and that the most unworthy
men have got into official positions by the
management of unscrupulous party wire-work
ers. The interests of the country, they tell
us, have not been cared for by the men who
have been elected by the people, and hence
the gross corruptious which have grown up
under our political system. The leaders of
the secession movement propose to remedy
the defects of this system by placing political
power more in the hands OF persons of wealth,
education and influence, and by this means
to secure to themselves better form OF gov
ernment. This idea is remarkable one,
when taken in connection with the fact that
the very men who have undertaken this des
pcrate remedy for political evils, have them
selves been elected to important offices under
| the system of which they complain much.
If our method of choosing the men who are
to make and administer our laws, ensures the
success of the worst men in the community,
what are we to ink of those who have been
most active in efforts to destroy the Union
Ii they had never succeeded in securing their
own political advancement, they would meyer
have had the power to inaugurate revolution.
They owe the very power and influence which
they exert thus injuriously, to the system of
which they complain and if they could sue
ceed in establishing different one, is it prob
able that different Esstye of mem, would oc-
cupy the offices which they have held? We
are ready to admit that there defects in
the working OF our political machinery (; and if
we wanted proof CT this, We need not only
point to the fact that reckless partsans, in their
own States, have been advanced to positions
which they have made use of to destroy the
Government. We believe, however, that the
fault is not in our form of government, so
much as in the character of the men, who
have SefSbly made use of their talents, wealth
and influence, to satisfy their own ambition.
No form OF government can drive ambition,
avarice and pride from the hearts of men ; and
| there is no philosophy in endeayorng to find
na6ia fnr inEr nv
his power to do evil.
SMALL NoTEs.-An effort is being made to
induce the Legislature of this State to pass
bill empowering the banks to issue notes of
less denomination than five dollars. Whether
this is prudent or no, we will not say. No
doubt, much difference opinion exists as to
the policy of such privilege. But, one thing
is certain, that a great deal of trash is afioat,
belonging to this State and elsewhere. which