Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-26
GOV. sPRAGUE ON SLAVERY.


NO man has won more honest fame in the
course of the present war than tie youthful
Governor of Rhode Island. His promptness
In forwarding troops when the rebellion broke
out, his personal services in Washington, and
his gallantry in the field of battle, have alike
contributed to his distinction. He was justly
renomnated for the place he holds by the
political convention of his party, and is cheer
fully supported 10y men of all parties. But
| Governor Sprague, in accepting the nomina-
tion of the democratic convention, was too
wise to commit himself to the absurd and ef-
fete resolutions of that body of politicians.
The old issues, he is well aware, have passed
away, ana new issues are presented. The
Providence RerieW and Journal of Thur sday
contains long address from his pen, in which
he speaks very plainly of the questions raised
by the war. He says:
sit is a superficial view, therefore, of the
present national crisis, which supposes that
this conflict can end and leave things as it
found them. :. We must cross this
flood that swells and foams. or abandon the
national hopes of a glorious future. The issue
already made between oppression and liberty
must be fought out to the end now, or refought
hereafter, aud perhaps under aggravated cir
cumstances. Slavery re-establisbed, and the
same consequences would follow again. . :.
''There is really no possible hopeful end to
this conflict but the end OF slavery. There is
no such easy escape from our national troubles
as some seem to imagine-no prospect of the
war being short but 10y being useless, or else
by being radical and determined, and | may
add, in regard to false principles, most unspar
ing. To purpose, there fore, that the Union
gl,a o,,I ;ts rrl,,
umphantly restored and perpetuated, is virtu-
ally to doom slavery TO speedy extinction
The reservation of the Union and the destruc-
tion OF slavery are insrparable; aye, identical
now and he who votes for the one necessarily
votes for the other.
81 have not thought it necessary to show
that under existing circumstances, we are
released from all legal or moral obligation to
longer tolerate slavery in the land, if the safe
ty OF the nation demands its extinction. The
case is too plain for doubt.
"The permission of slavery in the consttu
ton, if such there be, as asserted and generally
admitted, is only implied, and nowhere ex-
pressly declared. That instrument seems 10
have been made in anticipation OF a. better and
more just time to come. The trainers must
have intended that when slavery should be
done away the constitution should still remain /;
and that with this national progress and ex-
term ination Of evil, the language of the con
stitution should become even now more appro-
pirate, and this highest law of nation where
freedom and justice aud equal rights the
inheritance Of every man abide in its right
oousness forever"
We commend the foregoing to the careful
perusal Of Democrats in this county. Ii may
probably give them idea of the position
which the liberal aud patriotic leaders of their
party are taking, and should have the effect
Of closing the mouths of those who are con
stantly railing against the Republicans as be-
ing "abolitionists."