Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-07-01

hlitd wtih The greater hlhInh w nv
NOT because Tbs, believe bat VIC hme'
rican people will not, sliould tho dife no
oessity afisn. he iend The inosiimable boon
of civil and religious liberty against The
pe,ty tyfanis az Washcinion. who ntc nov
threatening Tho people, but because WISH
10 preserve this Union r to save this grand
sohiemc OF human happiness. TO back,
Mr.. Speaker, a few years TO q tire when
this demon Of Aboli.!onism did not inicst
every avenue TO the capital ofthe nation
and when II reared lie hydra head in these
halls only in occasional and feeble in
stances. What did We then behold? The
sun OF heaven rising on thirty millions OF
free people, who united within Themselves
more of The elements o~fsocial strength and
individual happiness than ever blessed the
the same number Of people before. The
land smiled with happy homesteadS, which
sent up NJ incense to Heaven the smoke OF
millions of household fires kindled on as
many affairs consecrated N pence and all
the domestic virtues. The husbandman
went forth 10 SOW his seed and TO plant has
tree in perfect security that be or his do
aoendanls would gather the fruits. Tho
mariner ploughed the seas and looked
proudly aloft 10 the stars and stripes the
emblem Of his country's greatness, and
knew that its ample folds would guard
and protect him in the most distant climos.
The young mother rejoiced when a male
child was born into the world, feeling
that when heshou!darriye at the age of ma
tNity he could take either of the thous
and roads that lead to wealth and honor
in this happy land. The old man descended
willingly to the tomb, & closed his eyes in
peace, with n calm confidence that he was
leaving this fair scene as q perpetual in-
heritance to his children and their de- Gem
dants' Sir, upon what rested all this con-
fdence and happiness 1t rested in the
faith felt by our PEOPLE in the Constitu.
ton and the equal la WIS which it enjoined
for the mutual protection and dotepce of
the interests OF all.
Instead of all tho blessings which the
Constitution secures, what do we now be-
hold War-stern, cruel and devastating
~ar-a land desolated and drenched in
fraternal biood-households desolate-
widows in mourning orphans weeping
mothers, sisters, fathers d brothers almost
frantic at the loss on the cruel battlefield of
n son or n brother-while night, morning
and noon the anxious wife and mother
kneels in the circle Of her helpless Ones,
and while the pours out her bleeding soul
70 Heaven for the safe return other pro.
tector ana their father. Go, sir, TO the
humble cottages Of your rural districts, and
while you contemplate the anxious, care
worn wife and her lovely group of inno-
cent but half starving children, represen-
ting patience in despair and industry in
-Aug l,nly AZ ,-n,,r aItnnVg .,,l h,ulurav.u
dsrbond with widows in mourning weeds
listen to the rattle Of the crutch over
your streets ~ those who have lost a leg
or are otherwise manned for life by this ins
human war and then tell me, is it treas
on TO VOC, TO speak, TO wish, TO resolve for
peace? l tell you, sir, whatever may DO
The opinion of others-however bloodr
thirsty they may bel am sick Of war, and
/ do most solemnly protest against the old
gentleman on the other side stigmatizing
as TRAITORS" those whose tender feelings
are outraged at the many cruelties perpe.
trated by a war which its leaders declare
IS only TO abolish an institution which does
not concern us-a war which / here pro-
nounce the direct result Of that impru.
dent. if not criminal, fanaticism which in
1856 displayed its sixteen starred banner
through the entire North, and which has
since with steady tread been forcing its
way to the National Capitol-succeeding,
unfortunately, a few years ago, in gaining
control of the government, which is being
used to drive out every vestige of civil and
religious liberty, which, before this time,
was the proud boon of every American
citizen. Mr.. Speaker, the party who here
opposes these resolutions are the apolo-
gists OF those who made this war and
while they here ~impiously shrek for more
blood, and s%tubbornly refuse every effort
to bring about a happier state OF things, /
arraign them before high Heaven, and the
bar Of their country, as the despoilers OF
the one and the enemies of both.