The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-07-30
RRECKINRIDGISNf.

the Democratic party throughout the North to
have President Lincoln held up to public Gen.
sure for the very few Anti-Slavery steps he
has made. Their glory has departed. and like
the ancient Pharisees they now profess great
philanthropy, strong yearnings for the Union,
and honorable de sires for the good of the
whole country. The meaning of their cry for
"the Union as it was and the Constitution as
it is" can easily be interpreted. Two years
ago the United States Senate, the Supreme
Bench and the Executive were in the hands of
men who scrupled at no act of abasement to
the God of Slavery. All dishonorable pur-
poses must sooner or later fall victims to the
untempered zeal of their workers or their own
inherent rottenness. The loss of power by the
Democratic party was owing, in measure,to
both these causes. Its adherents have, during
many long years, labored for its supremacy
with zeal that has oftimes made them fail
to see the utter remuneration of all principle
and made them cling to the object for the sup
posed advantage to be gained for the party.
They have cast aside the equality preserving,
justice-awarding principles of Jefferson, have
! forsaken the Union vigor of the jackson era,
and have Rugged to their bosoms new princi-
pies black as the ace of spades. Unlike JEFF.
ferson, who believed Slavery an evil forced
upon US by the Crown Government, they be-
lieve it to be outstanding, civiizing, Bible
sanctioned institution, which according to the
doctrine of Chas O'Conner is to work incal-
culabe good to the whole nation and partic
ularly to the enslaved. A return to the con-
duct of few years ago is their meaning of the
down defenceless Sumner is to strike down
every other man who dares to say his soul is
his own The threat of disunion, bred in the
South and industriously cultivated in the
North by the slavish horde of dirt-eaters,
which defeated Fremont in '56 by taking the
cream out of milk-and water Northerners, and
which will, in case of a settlement upon this
locofoco basis, be held over US during every
Presidential campaign, backed up by the ex-
ample of jeff. Davis attempt. This opposition
to free government policy is based upon the
truthful supposition that if the Rebellion is
crushed, instead of compromised, Slavery will
go down with it hence, when the States are
again brought together, this power that has
for many years kept the Democratic party in
power will be gone never more to return.
| They see that now, even now, when the Ma
tion needs the enegies of ali its professedly
| loyal people to insure its safety, is the time
to strike for the suecor Of this national night
mre, ere the march of events make it an insti-
tuition of the past. Speaking in the latter-day
politicians spirit who can blame them ? But
in the light of our national difficulties, are
they not guilty, aye, blood guilty? It has
been clearly demonstrated since the war began
| that if the negroes of the South were freed
they would not only dig our trenches-of
which the Union army has had surfeit-but
in cases of necessity would use the bayonet
and ball. The Law of Nations lays it down
as a cardinal principle that an invading army
can abolish all or aay institutions of the coun-
try it is invading; we know that the slaves.
once made to feel that they were flee, would
leave the plantations and workshops in the
South and join tie Northern army, thus ma
terially increasing the efficiency of our army
while at the same time Withdrawing necessary
supplies from the Rebels. This is so clear
that any one may see it. Why, then, should
not President Lincoln be supported by these
men protesting SO much love for and devo-
tion to their Country7
This hanging back, fault finding, mourning
over necessary taxation, exalting Ben. Wood
and defaming Sect'y Stanton, savors more of
rebellious and traitorous spirit than of true
devotion to the "Union as it was" or "the
Constitution as it isl