Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-10-01
For the Gazette
OUR nuTY

NN-~hN>'
OUR DUTY
! Voters of Miffiin county come let us reason
| together in soberness. We are In the midst
| of terrible war-a war the successful termi-
nation of which will rescue one of the best
and most benefcent governments ever known
upon the face of the earth from utter destruc-
ton. We have sent forth the fathers, sons.
and brothers of our people to beat back the
tide OF treason, and many Of them have already
offered themselves up as bleeding sacrifices
upon the altar of their country, and many
more stand ready and will soon follow those
that have gone before" Now, friends of
American liberty, while we have made and
are still making this dreadful sacrifice, while
our hearts are daily being rent by the loss of
loved ones, does it not occur to your minds
that in this fiery ordeal we, who are enjoying
| the peace and quiet of our homes, have a sa-
cred duty to perform. duty which we should
approach and execute thOughtfullv, calmly,
seriously, casting aside all former prejudces
1t is we'll known that all the troubles now
upon US are directly attributable to and had
their origin in the infamed political condi-
ton of the country. A violent war of public
opinion has eliminated in a war of blows
Treason has raised its hydra head, and now
an issue has been made upon which there is
no middle ground. 1t is an issue of govern
ment or no government, Union or no Union.
lie that is not for US is against u.s." Every
honest man should ponder we'll these facts
and see that he is not made an unwilling in
strument in the hands of designing dema.
gogues to nerve the traitorous arms who are
dealing death blows at the hearts of our gal
liant braves who are keeping watch upon the
tower of liberty. and who stand between our
homes and fresides and the dread tide of des-
olation now waging upon our immediate Dor
der. Our government and people should be
unit. All questions of public policy are now
blended in the one great overshadowing issue
the salvation of our Union and Government.
We have no differences, can have none, until
that end is accomplished. Then why seek to
distract and divide our people. 1t is unwise
and impolitic. While we are attempting to
strengthen tho hands Of those who have gone
forth to fight the battles of their country let
US not weaken the hands of our Chief Execu-
tive by environing him with doubtful and
lukewarm friends. AS far as it is in our
power we should gather around him those
who are above suspicion. But few days will
elapse before we are called upon to vote for a
national Representative for this district, and
it becomes US to calmly consider this matter.
To my mind the path of duty is plain. That
duty is to support the tried and faithful sup
porter of the President and his advisers-that
man is Hon. s. 5. BLAIR. lie is n man
against whose moral character the envenomed
tongue of malice has lain dormant, and against
whose political character, if his acts are we'll
considered, nothing can be successfully urg.
ed. During his past career in Congress,
though young man, he has rendered himself
worthy of his people and his State, and now
stands in the front rank of his peers. In all
his acts he has been found willing and ready
to render all necessary aid to the President
in his endeavor to crush out this unholy re-
belliOn. He is, and always has been, in favor
of melting out to traitors punishment com
mensurate with their crime, and in favor Of
removing the cause which produced this war,
in q manner least pre- judicial to the interests
of the country. Then why should we not come
up ms one man. casting aside all our former
narrow political prejudices and give him our
support, and in doing 80 say to the world that
We are in favor of prosecuting the war with
the utmost rigor, that we have the most i'm
plicit confidence in our Chief Magistrate and
will sustain him in every way possible. What.
| ask all honest men, would be the effect of
the defeat of the friends of the national Ad
ministration? Would it not virtually be saying
to armed traitors that the people of the north
sympathise with them in their treason p
Would it not nerve their arms in their mad
desperation Would it not be heralded by
our impacabe enemies across the ocean as
an EXPIRE ssed fact that our people were oppos
ed to the war and as q cowardly attempt to
seek submission to the slave oligarchy of the
south2 This we do not desire. Our people
are honest they are in favor of sustaining
the Government and preserving the Union,
cost what it may in blood and treasure /; yet
we have among US, as we always have had,
covert enemies men who would stab their
country in the house of its friends, and who,
with honed words, seek to lead honest men
from the path Of duty. To such we beseech
all patriots to turn with loathing and con-
tempt Let the watchword uttered by the
sage of Marshfeld be ours" Liberty and
Union, now and forever, one and inseparabe."
Let us sustain our Government by sustaining
it's friends, and by sustaining them show to
to the world that we appreciate our institu
tions and the blessings we have enjoyed un'
der them, and that we are willing to make
every sacrifice necessary for their mainte-
nance. Men of Mifflin county, ponder these
facts we'll before you are called upon to act.
Weigh well the effect of your action, and see
to it that you have not cause to regret here
after that you have not done your duty.
UNION.
B9 At large again-The hogs.
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