Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-23
WAsHIxGros, April IL, 1862.

ASHlNGTON, April II, lSOZ.
The patience, forbearance, and self denial
OF the people of the loyal States of this Union
constitutes the best proof of their fitness for
their sphere. as the custodians and defenders
Of free government. These high attributes,
also, establish that they are proud of their po-
sition and grateful that they are permitted to
occupy 1t. Nothing has surprised tho Euro
peans more than the temper of our people un-
der manifold trials and experiments. Even
the London Tunes has been compelled TO ex-
press its surprise at this spectacle. But no
class has been more disappointed than the dis
loyal politicians of the loyal States. 1t will
not be- forgotten that when Mr.. Lincoln was
elected these politicians were confident that
the masses of the free States would rise
against the Republicans. Blinded by disap.
pontment, and confident that, as their trans
gressions under Buchanan and their support
of Breckinridgo had been largely supported
by deiuded Dem oCrats, thew revellsd in the
anticipation that they would be still further
sustained by popular tumults in Philadelphia,
New York, and Boston. No idea entered
more thoroughly into the calculations of the
traitors themselves. They bad been so filed
with hope by the Ty lers, O'Conors. w. b.
Reeds, and Isaac Touceys, that :hey did not
withhold the predictions that the signal for
riot would be sounded among the working
classes Of these great cities, the moment Mr..
Lincoln attempted TO execute and enforce the
ldWSs no upon L Oft sumter was
rude awakening from this cherished dream.
The masses rose but not for them. The peo-
pie spoke, but not on their side. Hundreds
and thousands Of disenchanted Democrats
rushed to the battle field, as if to prove their
fealty 10 the Federal Constitution, and to dis
prove the hopes based upon different course
of popular action. Every subsequent day has
added accumulated manit itestatons of the for
bearance and patriotism of the citizens of the
States. have aCt
of Mr.. Lincol u and his friends. They received
the surrender of Mason and Slidell in the spirit
that prompted it, and nobly subdued their
passions in the face OF the prognOsticatons OF
DR.. Russell Of the London Times. They OBJ
served the loug delay OF our army on the Po-
tomac, and credited it to the most patriotic
motives They overlooked the operations Of
specularors as excuses forever incident to
great war. They saw themselves deprived OF
work, property deprecated, commerce arrest
ed, great debt incurred. and still they muir
INJURED not. Enough for them that the strug-
gle in which their country was involved was
not the work of Mr.. Lincoln and themselves
that those who preciptated il did not deny,
but, instead Of this, gloried in their shame
and that the preservation of the Union was
worthy of every sacrifice and every effort, no
matter how costly and how severe.
UnenIightened by these forcible teachings,
the politicians, so baffled and borne down by
former disappointments, again predict that
there will soon be an uprising in the free
States. MARK my words" said one Of this
school, few days ago, ''blood will PRESENTLY
flow il the crowded cities Of the North and
Northwest Now will come the turn of the
men who hunted US for supposed hostility TO
the war after Sumter fell,' This fond hope is
inspired by the expected exodus of free ne.
groes from the South. The demagogu rely
upon the natural prejudces Of caste between
the whites and the blacks TO realize a wish that
is father 10 their thought. Take notice how
seduously this game is being played. All
their papers and politicians, who were only
loyal when personal interests and personal
safety forced them to be loyal, are engaged in
it. How desperately these gamesters stake
their fortunes upon the supposed ignorance
of the American people They read history
forever backwards. Because a thing has been,
they believe it must be. Inasmuch As they
have been successful deceivers of great bodies
Of men, they hug the hope that they can re-
new this system. Far better and more profit
able it would be If they would review the
events and lessons of the year gone by. From
Ibis retrospect they would gather the great
fact that the American people, once deluded,
cannot soon again be misled 10y the same men
hat falsfed history and violated confidence.
Reason is ever vigient and wakeful after a
great crime has been perpetrated. Mil |
ions w.o would not believe that these
leaders contemplated secession, or SYM
1athy with secession, now they are con- |
'inced of both these things, will no longer |
,onfde in such false and faithless cham |
,ions. But the people have not read the won |
leriul experiences of the last twelve months
or nothing. These experiences have been
eared into their memories. They have made
hem eager for more light hungry for more
acts instinct and alert to know their rights
nd their wrongs Can it be possible that
uch people, patient under an accumnla-
ion of evils SO silent IN the tempest OF mis-
representation so lavish Of their blood and
so dignified In victory SO uncom-
laining in defeat and in death, will now al
ow themselves to be cheated and carried OF
y new clamor of old and convicted betray
rs7 And, above all other clamors, by that
Ihich is based upon the increase ef the free
egro population in their great citIes7 Let
n fana thia Last annaal. Should fharl be