Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-08-28
THE TRAITORS AND THEIR FRIENDS.

publican party. But where is there Repub-
lican that has joined himself to the Rebels
None can be found. To be Republican is to
be opposed to treason. When Republicans
enter the war 1t is on the side of their country.
But who are the authors and leaders OF this
rebellon9 Why they are chiefly Breckinridge
Democrats-Jeff. Davis, Cobb, Floyd, fancey,
Benjamin, Mason, Hunter, Keitt, Rhett, &C.
all of them Southern Breckinrdge Democrats.
The treason was contrived by these men.
1t might be appropriately called rebellion OF
the Southern Breckinridge Democracy. 1t is
true that other politicians, such as John Bell,
Alexander Stephens, and some others, are
now acting with the rebels; yet they were
not the prime movers in the mattor, but from
apparent necessity, or policy, they fell in
with the movement, after its originators had
got it started. The original leaders in this re-
beilion were all, or nearly all, supporters of
Breckinridge. They secured the nomination
of Breckinridge and Lane, and in them had
men that could be used to accomplish their
schemes Of Disunion. As soon as the rebel
lion broke out Lanes son went over to the
rebels, and it was not long until the father fol-
lowed. Breckinridge has ever since been
trying to draw Kentucky into Secession. He
seeks to embarrass the government and aid
the traitors, so far as he can, without commit
ting any overt act of treason. Everywhere he
is regarded by loyal men as traitor, and by
Secessionists as friend. Senator Douglas,
in the speech we publish to-day, we'll as in
many others, in alluding to Breckenridge,
STYLED him the niSuDjoD caDd afa
Douglas says further, and very truly, that ssthe
Slavery question is a mere excuse, and the
election Of Lincoln mere pretext,-tha. tho
present secession movement is the result of
an enormous conspiracy formed more than a
year since by the leaders of the Southern Con-
federacy.''
1t is, however, just to say, that even in the
South there were some prominent men, like
| Andrew johnson of Tennessee and Joseph
Holt OF Kentucky, supporting Breckinridge
and Lane who were not in the conspiracy
and these men in the spirit of the purest pa
triotism, and the noblest courage have come
to the rescue Of their country in defiance of
the treason around them. They were Breck-
inridge men, 1t is true, but they never endors-
ed treason or traitors in their own party, or in
any other. They have shown themselves to
possess craftsmanship that can rise above all
party considerations, and that can comprehend
and provide for the welfare OF their country
Such men deserve the thanks and the graft
tude of men of all parties to all generations
There are few prominent BreckinridgeD Demo-
Gratis in the North who are pursuing the same
patriotic course. Gen. Butler of Massachu.
sets is one of them. He was one of the first
to fly to the aid of his Government, and thus
far he has not finched In the performance of
his duty. Daniel S. Dickinson of New
York-a man whose name was put forward by
the Democrats Of New York, at the Charles
ton convention, as a suitable candidate for the
Presidency-is also on the side of his country.
The Douglas Democrats, like their great
leader, are almost to man true to their coun-
try. We do not profess to be an admirer of
Judge Douglas during the greater part of his
political career. But, whatever opinions we
may entertain about his previous course, all
history will bear witness that, since treason
has raised its arm against our Government,
the course of Judge Douglas was in the highest
degree noble and patriotic. Up to the break
|
hopes of peaceable adjustment of difficulties
but when it was clear that to avoid war was
impossible, and that the rebellion must be put
down by the sword, he took the noblest and
irmest attitude for his country. He went to
President Lincoln, whom he had been politi-
cally opposing all his life, and assured him of
his support and from that time, to the day of
his death, he did not cease to expose the trai-
tors, encourage his countrymen, and support
the Government in the most vigorous prosecu-
tion of the War. Read bis speech, the last
one he ever made, published on another page.
But the fact remains, that large number of
the Breckenridge politicians even in the Free
States, have cast their moral influence on the
side of the traitors. And this is especially
true Of ClearfieId county. The patriotic SEN
timents of Holt of Kentucky, find no response
in the hearts of our Breckinridge leaders.
They will not publish such things. They pre-
fer to print and praise the speeches of such
recreants as Yallandigham and Breckinridge.
They get up large clubs for the circulation of
such REASONABLE papers as the Lay Book.
They have so imbued their followers with the
spirit of treason, that every word uttered in
favor of our Government or against the Rob
els, is offensive. At Camp meeting, now
about closing, minister alluded to the state
of the country-he did not discuss the merits
of any party or any candidate-he simply
made his appeal from warm and honest heart
for his beloved country, and against the trail
tors that would destroy her. And yet, this
appeal was highly offensive to the readers