Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-19
WHO Is RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DELAY !.

The Harrisburg Telegraph says that, nc
Grim inal lawyer ever resorted to more schemes,
sophistry Or technicality to battle an honest
Jury and thus save blood stained desperate,
than are q portion Of the Democratic press
now practiciBg to shield the traitors of the
south. Every proposition that is made to sub
due the rebellion by some practical and vg-
orous demonstration, is either assailed an
'sAbotion design, or direct violation of the
Constitution" In this manner the admins
tration has been baffled, the army demeraliZed
at an expense 10 the. government, and our pros
pect abroad on several occasions placed at the
hazard of being imbroiled in a war with two
of the most powerful governments in Europe.
If this continual outcry by the Democratic
leaders had been silenced some ten months
ago, the federal authority would have been
acknowledged and respected in every State in
the Union. If the southern traitors had not
been led to believe that their open efforts of
rebellion would be aided by the secret sympa-
thy of the Democratic leaders, and as many of
the masses of the north as they could delude,
treason would never have rallied to the num-
bers it now counts, nor would the war ever
have assumed its present magnitude. Thus
the sympathy which assisted in originating
and organizing the rebellion continues to give
it aid and comfort, encouragement and force,
to maintain its antagonism against the gov
ernment. The Democrats who are constantly
clamoring for the Constitution and the rights
of the south are the nen who arc thus aiding
this vebe ellion. These never
heard dcnouncing the rebellion un-
conStitutional-they have no censIre for jeff
Davis or Henry a. Wise, nor do they attempt
the denunciation of a singh southern traitor
Such course would be against them when
compromise with their old allies is effected
1t is better, in their Judgment, to denounce
men of characters like Charles j. Sumner,
Ben. w ade, David Wilmot, Andy Johnson, or
any of those who are laboring to force the re-
bellion to those practical results which must
sooner or later grow out of the organization
of society at the south.
The result of such action on the part OF these
leading Democrats, is to prolong the war,
while every day that it is prolonged, adds its
millions of dollars to the debts OF the nation.
The men who are responsible for the delay
can never become responsible for this aug
| mentng and enormous debt. That debt is
increased by delay and can only be liquidated
by contributions by the labor and drafts on
the resources or the country. The masses
must we'll consider these facts. The longer
the war is prolonged, the stronger rebellion
becomes. The loyal States feel the effects Of
the rebellion already, simply because their
laboring energy has been summoned to the
field for contest with trators-whle the
productive labor of the south remains undis-
turbed at It's pursuits, contributing to the sup
port of the rebel army and maintaining the
rebel government entirely on the means de-
rived from its efforts. Delay augments the
force and the violence of rebellion. Delay
exhausts the energy, and the patience of 10y
al men; cripples our enterprise and industry,
and units thousands of honest white men for
those pursuits which have made the free States
prosperous and powerful. And all this to
satisfy q sentiment which is base in its
hopes as it IS cowardly in its conceptions, a
sentiment alike opposed 10 free government
and free men.
How long will the free white men of the
north submit to this tampering with their pro-
gress and their power? AS long as they sub
NIT to the miserable dictation and mean lead
ing of a class of dough-faces who clam to be
the representatives of Democratic principles.
This is our answer.