Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-06-25
THE DEMOCRATIC" MEETING.


first object that attracted our attention, was
at the farther end of room, which we did not
fully comprehend at first sight. But after
ssreconnoitering'' short time, we got the
hang of the subject, and found that our friend
was trying his utmost to resurrect and recon-
struct the democratic par-tee," as it icas, by
relating quite number of anecdotes, and
some negroisms, which produced slight ap
plause in the assembly. This done, he tried
to make the aud fence believe that the Demo-
cratic was the only Union party in the land
that there were no Secessionists or sympathi-
sers with the rebels in this State-that he was
in favor of sustaining the Government and
the war, but, (hark ye,) he would hold s'Old
Abe up to the scratch, and that the Democ-
racy was in favor OF aiding the Union men of
South, and relieving them from their present
unpl ,asant situation. s.Och Mister Speaker
and don't yez know" that the people are not
such ssblockheads'' as not to know that that
is just the thing that ssOld Abe' has been doing;
and if the leaders of your party not so
much for holding the President cup to the
scratch,'' the Southern Union men would all
the sooner be relieved. This being for the
Union with an 'sif,'' or s'holding Old Abe up
to the scratch,'' reminds us of colloquy that
occurred between two Irish Democrats, re-
Gently. One asked
ssIndade, Barney, and what does in name
where 1t says in the call for our Dimecrat con-
Ventlon-'the vigorous prosecution of the war
should be accompanied by the most liberal
profers of peace r -
ssOch ye blockhead don't yez know what
1t manes-it maneS-yiS it manes-the same
as if two OF yez was having bit of discooshun
wild sticks, and livery time the ither one should
hit yez pelt in the COB yez should sing out
snow let's be paceable = %
'sBedad, Barney, think that it would be
lengthy dscooshin thin, for he'd think was
afther being whipped. Faix, I'D give him the
licks first and thin talk the paceable after
wards. Sure. that's the sinsible way.''
sAh Mickey. I'm afraid ye do too much
of your own thinkin' to be good Dimecrat.''
Now, our opinion is, that this scratching"
or fault finding with ssOld Abe'' at present,
because of his management of the war, is cal
culated to strengthen the rebels and the means
of making more .slengthy discooshin'' out
of the rebellion. The true Union men, like
Mickey, are in favor of giving the rebels ''the
licks first and then talk about the ssscratch-
ing'' afterwards. ssSure that's the sncible
way - and, we presume, the intelligent and
patriotic people, who love the Stars and
Stripes more than party, ado too much of
their own thinking to be good Breckenridge
ssDimecrats," and this trying to shit'' them
ga pelt in the gob,'' was labor in vain. The
people understand all about these matters, and
consequently can't he much deceived by
throwing dust into their eyes. So much for
the first part of the performance.
The second speaker followed pretty nearly
the same track trodden by the one who pre-
ceded him. His speech, however, was more
than usually moderate, and he made a most
prodigious effort to appear sedate and sober in
his remarks. He very solemnly exhorted his
Democratic brethren not to be ssaarmed'' -
when called secessionists, ssas that did not
hurt 20 but the mere allusion to the subject
made quite sanctimonious impression upon
them. At this juncture, however, an anec-
dote-a negroism--was related, which had the
effect to dispel the gloom that had settled on
the audience, and it become hilarious, and all
| seemed pleased that they had been so sudden
| ly relieved from an unpleasant dilemma.
The third speaker was announced, but as we
| felt wearied, we retired, and therefore are un-
| able to give report of his remarks.
| But, the most important feature of the
| meeting was, that the assembled wisdom of the
sDemocracy'' of Clearfield county, did not
exhibit their principles to their followers. If
we are correctly Informed, the leaders omit
ted to present their usual platform from
which we are left to infer, that they are call
things, to all men," Not resolution did they
pass commencing the National Administra-
tion for its efforts in quelling the rebellion
which is being waged against the Government
by their ssdear brothers, Of the South Not
a resolution did these self-applauded Union
men pass commenting our brave and gallant
soldiers who are sacrificing their all, even life,
to maintain the integrity of the Constitution
and the permanency of the Union. Not a res
olution did they pass condemning the rebels
and traitors of the South, who are straining
every nerve to destroy the free institutions
under which we live. Not they. They were
''mum." Surely, rather ominous position
to occupy in these momentous times,we should
say and one which reminds us of an old
'ssaw'' about a certain individual who thought
he about to die. Being very wicked and
uncertain OF his future abode, he began TO
pray, "Good Lord, good Devil,' not sure in
to whose hands he might fall. So with our
"Democratic'' leaders in Clearfeld county.
They know that their party sins have been
many and very grevious, especially the Ma
tional.) and therefore they sing ssmum," not
certain Mhether they shall remain in the uninn