Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-05-21

rendering freedom national, and slavery sec
tional, wherever the General Government has
undoubted and exclusive control.
If African sla, cry has been the prime NOV
er and cause of all our present national troub-
les, and has consequently caused hundreds of
thousands of our peopie-haying no utilization,
and caring nothing tor the institution save
to denounce it as great moral wrong-to
leave their homes to tear themselves away
from the bosom Of their families, and to offer
up their lives willing sacrifice upon the alter
OF their country, in order that the Union OF
these States might remain intact, if these
things be true, then, that man is travelling
far behind the age of progress and civilization
who supposes that a lasting and permanent
peace can ever be maintained between the
now contending sections of our country, while
the national Government gives its fostering
care and protection to this inhuman and bar.
barous institution. 1t can not be done. 1t
is one of the imposslblites of our nature
To attempt TO curb the angry torrent of
swelling river without the power to remove
the source is sheer folly and madness. To
check the spirit of rebellion, which broods
traitors by the score, is equal madness, unless
we direct shafts directly at the root, the
cause from where all the evil flows.
But, on the other hand, let our Government
concentrate it's effort, to the destruction of
the branches,-let the fugitive slave law be
deprived place in the archives of the nation
let the people through their representatives
ignore all existing statues recognising slavery
IN the Territories of the West,-prohi biting
it in those parts of the States over which the
government has exclusive control, and ven
ture the assertion that in ten years the whole
system will dwindle aud die from its own iner-
tia. Universal emancipation is not my theme ;
neither do | admit the justice of using too
freely the peoples money TO purchase the
slaves Of loyal men, because look upon the
destruction Of the institution as foregJhe
conclusion, aud prefer to await the develop.
mehts Of future events, before | would con-
sent to lavish the hard earnings Of 40 indus.
tfi6ns people to feqhite those who have, as a
general thing, been using Tie power aud in
hdehee Of slavery TO destioy the peace, pros
pefity and happiness 6i the nation, That
they have attempted this, no one viii pretend
to deny and BECAUSE they have done IL |
would oppose remuneration, pfeiefing % have
them suffer he inevitable consequences which
must necessarily follow,
| am happy 90 observe, that The Presidents
idea Of compensation and eeiohi satieH, meets
with a very general response from the men ol
the army, wherever have had al opportunity
10 e8hY sfse with them on the subiset=ahd
this, too. without distinction Of party, II the
same feeling peFyades the minds Of tho States,
the position Of President Lincoln TO day, ia
regard 10 this yexed question: IN the most en-
Piable 10 which man ever attained, His policy
during the progress OF this war in relation 20
African slavery has been characterized with
so much wisdom, forbearanee, and eonseFva-
lism, as to elicit the praise aud administration
of ai-with only an insignificant exception,
We have now, thank God free capital,
where no unfeeng monster dares to hold des-
potie sway over any portion of the human race,
aud NAV we not look forward with hope to
the time when all the border States, at least
will be willing to accept the proposition OF
the President as passed by Congress. Already
have Delaware and Mary land signaiized their
willingness, TO avail themselves OF the law.
They SET that the institution is feariully on
the declne-ther property in man having al
ready deprecated more than fifty per cent in
market value-hence they are now anxious and
willing TO accept what they can get
| have endeavored TO learn something of
the feeling in this section OF Virginia relative
to the effects of this war upon the institution,
aud so far as my observation extends, there
appears to be no desire to repossess those who
have made their way to our line, as the ideas
Of freedom they have thus acquired would
render them of more trouble than their labor
would be worth.
The work Of our army goes bravely on.
Last night we had dispatch that Norfolk
was in our hands. aud the Merrimac was blown
up by she rebels. Mcclellan is beleaguer-
ing Richmond, and soon we may hear that he
is in undlsputed possession.
1t is said that there are $4,000 rebels within
ten miles of Fredericksburg, and threaten to
attack us in our position; but by the time
they get within battling distance Of our lines,
which are now rapidly converging, they may
suddenly think that the atmosphere that is
breatbed by 100000 freenen may not at all be
suitable TO their chiyalric tastes. We look
now for speedy termination Of the war, and
hope that ere the anniversary OF our Nations
birth will have rolled away, the hos Of free
dom wbe have rushed, as IL by magic, to the
defence of our couptry's flag, will he home
ward bound. Yours, W.R.B.