Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-08-28
DRAW THE LINES.

OoA W A06 LANGo.
There are some citizens of the free States,
truthfulIy remarks the Philadelphia U. S.
Gazette, who imagine that they can be for and
against the government; in favor OF the war,
and yet give moral aid and countenance to the
foe who demand vigorous action, and vehe-
mently oppose its details; who vaguely profess
willingness to do some underlined act of loyal
ty, or favor some impossible and uncomfortable
measure, and stigmatize at every step of our
progress each act of the national administra-
tion as tyrannical, despotic, inhuman, barba-
rous, or unconstitutional. If men conspire
against the national Union, under cover of
local official station, it is despotic to arrest
them; if when in custody of garrison they
are not let out to 60 before some traitorous
Judge, who only waits the opportunity to set
them free, it is unconstitutional if, because
Of the impossibility of carrying on war with
an army which changes every three months,
the government calls for men for three years,
it is amonstrous assumption of power; if regu-
lar troops are found indispensable to the Ell
fciency of the army, and the number of them
is therefore Increased, it is an alarming usur-
patton, and means despotism if reasonable
presses assail the government, and defame its
army, the Union, the loyal States, and all not
in open war on the side of the rebels, and the
authorities will not permit this to be done at
points where there is any real danger, the
freedom of the press is invaded. In fact there
10 no possible act of the government which is
not attacked by these men, who if their loyalty
be questioned wax red with wrath and will not
be appeased. Is it then true that in such a
contest as this men can be faithful and yet
chuckle over every reverse of our arms
Can their hearts be other than traitorous if the
indispensable acts of self preservation COM
mitted by the government be SO horrible to
them7 Can they love the Union, and yet be
in ill-dsguised sympathy with its enemies
Can they be white and black at the same mo-
ment-loyal and disloyal, for us and against
us, with the supporters of the government and
assisting In its destruction 2 If they put poi
son into the mouths of their children, must
We believe that it is harmless sugar house
molasses because they aver it to be so2
1t may be mental obliquity on our part,
but really all such persons are, to our thinking
neither pardonaDle by reason of unavoidable
circumstances, nor to be overlooked because
they may in time repent, nor constructive oil
doubtful in their errors, but traitors who de-
serve to be pointed at with the finger of scorr
by every honest man who should be subject
to the oclAl ban, and made to feel the indig-
nation of those whom they seek to injure and
betray. These persons, be they male or fe-
male, have no right to enjoy the protection
and security of the north the comforts and
luxuries of its civilization; the benefits of its
scientific culture and refinement, while they
seek to degrade its people, to exalt barbarous
oligarchy, and to ruin the best government
the world ever saw. They are seeking to
manufacture a sentiment here which cannot
but be extremely dangerous. In times past
the south has always been driven to extremes
by the knowledge that it was supported by a
powerful party at the north. If it can obtain
such aid among us now, what is to become OF
the republic. We do not hesitate to say that
1t is now becoming the bounden duty Of every
loyal citizen to draw the lines firmly, and sci
the seal of condemnation openly and publicly
on all these domestic traitors.