Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-02
THE PRESIDENT AND THE COUNTRY.
From the Philadelphia Press

WASHINGTON, June IL, 1S62.-Fortunately
Tor our common country, Mr.. Lincoln will be
President of the United States for at least two
years after the back bone of the rebellion is
broken. Even in the of his death his
pollcy would rest in the hands of Vice Pres-
dent Hamlin. one of the most thoughtful and
conscientious of statesmen. No greater ca
iaInlty, except the defeat of our national arms,
could befall our country than that such ssa
Democrat" as John G.. Breckinridge, or, what
is the same thing, any one of the supporters
OF MS doctrines in Congress or the country,
should assume the Presidential chair and di-
rect and decide the issues and obligations of
the war. L mention the name of MIR. Breck-
inridge because he has been, if he is not now, 4,
the persistent and most prominent represen-
tatiVe OF the originators of the rebellion and
the opponents of the Government. His going
to the war, (f a somewhat sharp expression
OF MS views is, at least, a very good sign of
his sincerity, and those who repeat his ideas
and echo his arguments must not complain
If they are classed as his followers. Any one
o! these men in the Presidential office would
be more or less controlled by former close as
soclations and sympathy with the armed trait
ors. If such partisans in Congress, in spite
OF all the sufferings aud appeals of thousands
OF their constituents who are daily slaughter
ed and outraged by the Breckinrdge Democ-
racy OF the South, cannot and do not restrain
their partiality for their leader and his teach
ings, how could any one of the number, the
war being ended, and his hatred of the Re-
publicans and his pity for the rebels both re-
vived, avoid such i settlement would make
Treason right and Freedom Infamous?
But, if it is fortunate that Mr. Lincoln is
President of these United States at this Juno
ture, for the reason here stated, it is at least
equally auspicious that he is at the head of
the Government at time when his own poll
iical friends, and the loyal masses who act
with them, will require the aid of wise, pru-
dent, and fearless counsels. You have not
been blind to the fact that while this crisis
has developed the military resources and pa
triotic spirit of the people, it has also produc-
ed many differences among our statesmen,
and many disSensions among our generals
ln the midst of these conflicts OF opinion. it
is marvellous how firmly the President has
held his way. Coming into his high Office
under the somewhat general Misrepresentation
that he was the embodiment of mere party
and that he was committed to a contract poll
cy from which he could not and dared not re-
lease himself, he has unquestionably display
ed some of the rarest and noblest qualities of
rejecting and magnanmous ruler. He has
been most successful In preserving his own
dignity, and his power, although sur
rounded by disputes and rivalries. Attach
ing to his administration his political sup
porters, he has invited and secured the al
legiance of hundreds of thousands of those
who voted against him. The bitter con-
troversy in regard to the heads of the va
rious columns of our great army did not sway
him to the right or the left. If he modified
Fremonts proclamation, he recalled him here
only to confer upon him new honors and to
give him new chance. If he heard the COM
plants against Mcclellan, he did not yield to
the demand that he should be superseded. In
all the preparations and movements in the ar
my and navy, he has taken the most promi-
nent part. giving to the task patience, labor,
and reflection. One secret of his success is
to be found in the manner in which he has
E'taken the responsibility" Unaffected by
the possession of almost despotic power and
imperial patronage. he has used advantages,
which others might have abused to their
country's ruin, to make him strong to do right
and to hush and satisfy elements, which, un-
der different President, might have subdued
him. The experience Of President Lincoln
himself, and the experience of the people as
to his temper, and his charac terstics, are
wholesome assurances that he will not shrink
before the greater work that remains when
the war is ended, and that they will sustain
him in all his new labors and responsibilities.
OCCASIONAL.