The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-09-03

fellow citizens on the battlefield.
In the fulflment of these grave duties,
we invoke to the standard of our country
men of every class and opinion. We
scorn the baseness that invokes party hate
Or popular prejudice. When We behold
the adopted and the native citizen, the
Democrat and the Republican fighting
side by side in the army, we are inspired
BY the lesson to do likewise in the quiet
walks of civil life.
Loyal men OF Pennsylvania, it is for you
to determine between the friends of the
Government and the war, aud the oppo-
nents of both. 1t is for you to declare
for the sympathizers with freedom or the
sympathizers with slavery and the rebel
lion. 1t is for you to decide whether you
will strengthen Abraham Lincoln or JEFF
ferson Davis. 1t is for you to say whether
the traitors sha! be crushed or whether
our free institutions shall pc crushed.
There is, and there can be, no middle
pathway. There are, indeed, but two
parties-patriots or traitors-those who
are for the Union and those who are
against it. And all men who are not
openly for the Republic must be counted
among its enemies.
1t is a fact that you cannot too care
fully ponder, that the leaders of the eppo-
sition to the Government in this State
are the same, with discredtable excep-
tions, who encouraged the policy which
encouraged the traitors to commence the
rebellion. Their whole effort since the
war began has been to divide the people
of the loyal States They announced,
early in 1861, that Pennsylvania should
join the South ia the event of a separa-
ton, and this is their secret hope to-day.
They would have held the hands of the
Government that the rebels might strike
at its heart, and would have succeeded
but for the prompt courage Of President
Lincoln. They followed the fortunes Of
General Breckinridge up to the period of
his desertion into the ranks of the rebels.
They repeat his arguments in this their
couutry's darkest hour Their plea for
the Constitution was his plea before he
drew his sword against it. They clamor,
as he clamored, against the Abolitionists.
They deplore emancipation, even while
they denv that the most effective eman-
cipationists are the slave holders them
selves They bewail confscation acts,
while Jefferson Davis sequestrates the
property of all loyal men in the South.
And, as if to complete the parallel, and
20 show how sincerely they love the trail
tors. even as they pretend to despise the
treason, they see our breve men perishing
on the battle-f field and in hospital, from
the disease of the swamps and the bullets
of the foe, aud discourage enlistments in
order that they may be relieved; and,
while prating of negro exodus into the
free States, to terrify our laboriug whites,
denounce the employment of the escaped
coiored men of the South to tighten the
burdens and lessen the labors of the white
defenders Of the flag.
We address you, loyal brothers and
friends, in the earnest hope that you will
not desert your country in this momen-
tous crisis We feel that we have the
right of this great argument. We are
supported by the hope that all good men
are with US. Everywhere, in the free
States, the some organization for which
we speak is supported by citizens without
reference to former party distinctions.
The Republicans have come forward to
give this organization their sanction. The
most distinguished aud orthodox Demo
Gratis have Joined the ranks of the great
army of loyal men, and from every battle
field our brave soldiers send. US words of
approval and of thanks. In Pennsylva-
MIA, the great Peoples party have enrolled
themselves in this mighty movement.
Shall it fail? Will you permit few dis
cOntented leaders, the relies of debased
and guilty Administration, who are, in
in fact, more responsible for the war than
auy other class but the rebels themselves,
10 sway you FROM your obligations to your
country2 This cannot be-this must
n0t be.
Every inducement invokes US to con.
solidate and cooperate. The comfort and
necessities of our fellow-citizens in the
field of war-the support of our patriotic
President and our fearless Governor, that
tbey may fulfil their great trusts efficiently
aud the threatening aspect of foreign
PoHers--call upon US to sink all consld-
erations before the one absorbing duty Of
the hour
The nominees of the loyal men of Penn.
svlvania for State officers, Hon. Thoma:
j.. Cochran, of York county, for Auditor
General, and Hon. w. S. Ross, of Lu'
zefpe, fer Surveyor General, deserve your
united and ardent support. Mr.. Cochran
has served with great credit to himself
aud advantage to the State for the last