Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-08-06


reach the capital of the nation almost "a fugi-
i've, and surrounding his Inauguration with
all the ceremonials Of, and preparations Tor,
internal strife But sir, apart from the duty
OF exposing these impenitent and reinorseless
loes, there are other duties winch must be
discharged, and to which the great organiza-
ton born day must dedicate itself with
stern and self sacrificing patriotism.
The adjournment of Congress leaves to Mr..
Lincoln those high responsibilities which he
has proven himself SO able to bear. He will
find himself strengthened for still stronger
measures by ample legislation. He can now
throw himself upon the people and prosecute
the war with renewed vigor. AS yOur resolu-
tions so well express it, it is fortunate that
"we have at the helm OF public affairs one so
prudent so upright, temperate, and firm"
Great are his trials aud great his Iabors. 1t
has often been said that the duties of the Pres
idency were too much i'll times OF peace for
any one man several OF our Chief Magis-
trates have fallen under the weight of these
duties But what must his condition be who,
in the midst of this rcmorselcss rebellion,
must give all his time and all vi his Judgment
To the solution of stnpendouS and novel com
plcations He cannot satisfy all men he
cannot, at blow, strike down every great
wrong. 1t is possible that he may have been
mistaken in the suppositiOn that the slave
holdug treason might be indulgently and mag
unanimously treated, and that the best way TO
convince the rebels was to exhibit 10 them
the Willingness OF the Government TO offer
peace in the midst OF war, and amnesty on
condition of prompt submission. But now
that experience has shown that no moderation
can reach the authors of this great crime, the
President will undoubtedly profit by the les
son. And am sure that the voice that goes
up from this Convention to day will inyigor-
ate and inspire him in the vigorous policy
which is about TO be inaugurated, policy
which | feel sure will be stringent and as
determined as the most eXacting and enthusi-
astic of US could desire. Backed by the peo
pie, and empowered by law, there will here
after be no hesitation IN the employment of
all means to put down the rebellion. No
more doubts as to the cOnliscatOn OF the prop
erty of rebels no more protection of their
houses, and crops, and goods and chattels.
Practical measures will forever diSspate the
miserable cry about negro equality and negro
emancipation. Wonderful is the advance
that has been made in public sentiment on
these questions.
Some of the most distinguished Democrats IN
Congress are now taking ground in favor Of the
employment Of blacks in the army of the
United States, as IA measure Of imperative
wisdom and necessity. The partisans who
roam about the land alarming ignorant peo-
pie with pictures of black exodus from tie
slave into free States; who look for riots In
the great cities as consequence OF the com
petition of whites and blacks in various elds
of labor, can read their own doom and the re-
futation of their own falSehoods, in the
ground taken 10y genuine Democrats in the
National Legislature on this important issue.
Whether they see it or not; whether they re-
realize this or not, the people realize It,
The object of this war is not abolition. but
vindcation-not abolition of slavery, but vim
dicaton Of the offended majesty of the laws.
70 this we spndour ~ m int the ieId
to fight in our armies. To save them from the
of the long, weary march, TO relieve
them from the heavy service that wearies
and wastes them in the trenches and on our
Notifications, ii is proposed to invoke the aid
of the thousands of coored men who are set
free, not by the Aboltionists, but by the
shareholders themselves. When this race is
fully assured they may render such a service |
and be rewarded for it, there will be no FUR |
ther flight into the free towns of the North |
and Northwest, but they will gladly remain |
under hat flag which, while protecting them,
they themselves defend. One other lesson |
has been taught within the last year, that is, |
if the most loyal OF the white people are those |
who fighting for the Constitution and the
Union, so the most loyal people of the Sc
ceded States are the blacks themselves. !
Shall we not act upon the suggestions of some |
Of our own most gallant and experienced mil !
tary men, and save our brothers by accepting !
this ready, eager, and honest assistance
W hat voter who has lost his relative or his |
friend by disease in the army will not yield to
this argument, and ASK that it may be carried
INTO effect hereafter? The fact is, gentlemen,
his war may as well be terminated to-day, II
We do not avail ourselves OF this vast resource,
md of every other means justified by our own
necessities, and by the usages OF civilized ma
ions. | kaow there are some who shrink
rom the idea of arming the colored men.
Ia hpy hat n
ing the Revolution, not Only by the dircc-
ion OF General Washington himself; but that
n the bloody battle of Red Bank, near Phla-
lelphia, it was a regiment of Rhode Island
legroes, under command of Col. Ray Greene,
Who turned the fortunes OF the day, and fought
o the last around the dead body of their com
nanderl In the second war with England,
Andrew Jackson enrolled the free blacks for
he defence OF louisiana, and thanked them
or their bravery after the victory was won.
Has the colored race deteriorated since the
revolution and our second struggle for Inde
,endence They ought to have wonderfully
if philosophers speak the truth or
he census does not lie. The sympathizing
in the free States who are in the
labit of talking of negro equality, and charg
ng that as one of the great ends of the Re-
will hardly deny that the infusion.
If the blood OF the chivalry of the South
,ught to have improved the negro race in that
quarter. Under this infiunce this race should
certainly be improved, and accordingly to the
doctrines of the oligarchists, more refined,
or the nearer they approach the beau ideal of
Southern gentleman, the better they are to
initiate his martial ZEAL AS Thaddeus Ste
-cns once said, the sun had a wonderful effect
= bleaching negroe complication. Do not be
traid then, gentlemen of being called Aboli-
ionsts or the advocates of negro equality,
because you demand that your relatives and
de TT,,s.N ,tk..
'ored, and sustained, and saved from disease
md lnafh hv the of he lnyal