Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-12
AN EVENTFUL YEAR.


almost destroyed, an army and navy filled with
traitors, treasury nearly bankrupt and a
rebellion fully ripened. The year has been
eventlnl and exciting beyond any other in our
history. The rebellion has swollen to enorm Gus
| proportions, has appeared to threaten the total
| destruction of the nation, had its victories on
! Which 1t grew more blatant and pompons, has
reached Its elimination, and now happily on
| the nrst anniversary of the new Adm nistration
| is shrinking away, chaStised and cowed, before
| the triumphant advance of the Feder arp,s
Even Its chosen chleftain, humbed by the
defeats of his forces, is constrained to confess
! that he and his associates have undertak en-
| more than they can accomplish.
The first year of rebellion, in nation that
| has so long exulted in its domestic peace and
| prosperity, is necessarily year of immense
trial The first blows Of the civil war were
almost stunning. The monstrous idea of
rising against Government like ours was
appalling to the loyal The first guns fired
upon the honored flag Of our nation shocked
every honest heart. The preparations for
resistance. tempered as they had to be with
certain iorbearance, as towards erring children
who would see their error, were feeble. The
magnitude OF the movement against the Union
was not at first comprehended. The fail of
Fort Sumter was needed to stir up loyal hearts
of the nation, and TO open all eyes TO the
mighty work that had to be done. Then came
the hurried call to arms, the hasty organization
OF an army: the impatient clamor of the
ignorant Tor an advance. the precipItate battle
OF Bull Run, with its dismal sequel of
rout, panic and disgrace, suffered at the very
moment of victory. This was the lowest point
to which the American people were ever sunk
The days OF shame and sOrI ow that succeeded
that unaccountable calamity can never be
forgotten.
From that dark period ,the cause of the Union
has been rising. \ new and mightier army
has been created-an army mightier than any
other on earth. 4 navy has been created also,
far surprising any we have ever had before
These great arms of defence have begun their
work, and the victories of Hatteras Port
Royal, Roanoke Fort Henry and Fort Donelson,
attest the gallantry with which they are
performing it. Thanks to them we are able to
refer to the first anniversary of Mr.. Lincoln's
installation with buoyant spirits, confidently
looking forward to the early suppression of
the rebellion and to the restoration of the
Union in greater strength and glory than ever
Two States which the rebel President claims
as belonging to the Southern Centederacy-
Missouri and kentucky-are as completely
and securely in the Union as is PENNSYLVANIA
Tennessee is nearly brought back into the
fold local elections have taken place in some
CT her towns, at which avowedly Union
candidates have been chosen; the stars and
stripes have been raised at numerous points
and people have shouted and wept for Joy at
the sight of their glorious folds once more
waving over them. Tennessee may be regarded
as once more safe for the Union. Arkansas,
Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Virginia
and North Carolina, are destined TO be brought
back in the same way before very long time
and the rebellion, brought 10 bay at last in
Georgia, Alabama South Carolina, will
there receive its death wound.
To have lost much and yet recover so
much IN one year. is something for President
In 4 h fri L.
may also exult at the prospect of recovering
all the rebel States before the second anniver-
sary OF his inauguration arrives. The year of !
greatest trial is over. We have had the last
OF our serious reverseS, and henceforward we |
are destined to have a succession of victories |
We have accustomed ourselves to the idea |
that the Union is to be saved by fighting, and |
we await, with less of awful dread than former
ly, the shock of armies meeting. We have |
grown Injured, also, to the idea that this war |
is to be paid for at heavy price we contem-
plate great national debt no great national |
and We clamor for Congress to hurry |
and tax US, so that we, who are not in the |
field, may at least contribute our share of the |
expenses of the war for the Union.
The year through which We have passed, |
with all its trials and sorrows, developed traits
In the American people that had been lost |
sight of, in our long course of peace and |
No purer, lofter or more earnest |
U
loyal citizens and it has been especially /
cause of rejoicing. that in the outburst OF
this patriotism, party spirit has been forgot
ten, and Democrats, who opposed Mr.. Lincoln, |
have rallied to the flag enthusiastically as
who voted for him. 1t is the
cause of country, and not that of a party,
that all are engaged in. If there have been
cases of disloyalty among us, they have proved |
and harmless. If there have
been instances of pecuations in the huge war
business that has been going on in the country, |
they are exceptional, and those that committed |
them treated with a scorn that is suffi-
clent warning to others. The people, as a
mass, have been as devoted and true as any
people ever were to any cause. Women and
children have been as faithful as men, and the
deeds done by them for the sake of the coun-
try and its defenders, are as honorable as those
done in the field by the brave men who have
taken up arms The people have resisted and
Spurned the clamor of politicians and intrg-
uers. They have not suffered it to weaken
their faith in the noble young general who has
created the army, as planned the campaign
that has already been made illustrious by nu-
merous victories, and is now preparing to
strike the greatest and most decisive blows
with his own hand.
1t is cheering to be able to reflect on all
these things on this anniversary, and to gather
from the reflection new hope and confidence.
1t is grateful to the heart, also, to bear testi-
nony to the purity, honesty, wisdom and
irmness of the man who was one year ago
raised to the Presidency. Mr.. Lineoln's
course has fully proved the wisdom of the
people In choosing him as their chief magis-
rate. He has made what his friends all
an honest, discreet and conservative
President. Not of his predecessors ever
had hundredth part of the difficulties that
have surrounded him. He has borne him self
oobly through them ALL and we really believe |
that II an election were 10 take place row, hs