Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-06-24


Of speech, or of the press; or of the right oi
the people peaceobiy to assemble to petition
the Government for redress of grievances
but Is there not most essential difference IN
the exercise of this right, and the disloyal
sentiments promulgated by the called peace
or sscopperhead'' party OF the north, in their
reckless and intemperate zeal to bring the
whole power of the Government into disre-
putei The former view assumes the ground.
that all favorably disposed towards the
common Government; while the latter is q
deadly blow aimed a, the Government through
the present Administration. Does ii imply
that persons peaceably assemble, when they
counsel together aud openly proclaim that it
is the duty of the people to resist the Consti-
tutionai provisions Of the constituted authori-
ties, by force of arms, if necessary Does
Mr.. Bigler suppose that the general public is
not aware that this same Valland igham. who
he was in Philadelphia to sympathize with,
has made il his boast in the Congress of the
nation ssthat this was an unholy and cruel war,
waged against an inoifensive people, and that
he had never voted a man dollar 10 sus-
tain it''? Does he consistent loyal cit-
zen recognize the constitutional right, under
the circumstances, of any man to harrangue
rabble counselling them to use their utmost
influence TO prevent armies in the field
from being strengthened by men Is this
just and impartial Interpretation OF the iUtents
Or, in short. is this not treason TO the Gov
eminent, Within the meaning of the Constitu-
tlon, OF giving aid and comfort to the enemy
Is this his idea of freedom of speech or of the
press, which sanctions such Infamous utteren-
ees 2 Just as well might the libelier when ar
raigned before the lawful authorities for def
ainatlon of character, plead the constitutional
prerogative of freedom of speech he could do
Sc with far more honesty than he who is Civ
ing aid and comfort to the public enemy. No
man has ever made himself liable TO arrest for
any offence known TO the Constitution by be-
ing nnequir0ealiy and Internationally loyal. 1t
| is u Sc less for any man to attempt TO put him
self fair and square before the American peo-
pie, who endeavors TO persuade himself. that
there is radical difference between the Ad-
ministratiOn and the Governmeut-that man
can assail the one within the bounds of law,
and honor the other. If the Administration
! has trancended any of the powers vested in ii
| by the Constitution, ii amply provides the
| remedy. The Government, consisting of the
Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, are all
tue creation of the people in constitutional
| form the Executive and Legislative to make
the laws, and the Judiciary TO determine their
| legality by the standard of the Constitution.
| That document makes it the duty OF the Ex-
ecutive to see that the laws, thus enacted. are
| properly executed. Abraham Lincoln was
constitutionally chosen for fonr years to be
chief Executive, and administrative officer of
the United States, and constitutionaily
| inducted INTO office. Can he depart from the
line of duty pursued by all his predece ssors
without making himself liable to lmpeach-
ment Has any one dared to arraign him for
| so high misdemeanoT Ii not, is ii not
| clearly the duty of VIM. Bigler, and all of the
| same persuasion, to give the present Admin
| Istrdtion, tor the time being, an unqualified
| support in its stnpendous exertions for the
| preservation of the best form of Government
...f oy,c af.l
maintain intact the unity of the States? By
so doing IT does not imply that any one should
/ become Black Republican, or IN ore comm on
| iy, s'abotionist'' -; but simply remain a dem
/ ocrat, improved. Mr.. Bigler says truly, un-
der our form of Government, ssno matter how
| unwise the laws may be, they must be obeyed
| until they can be changed, ,''-and he should
| have added 'sthat those who cannot approve
| OF the policy OF the powers that be, for the
| time being, must consent to endure what they
cannot approve. and hold their peace II they
| cannot endorse" 1t has been said that ..there
Is time to speak and time to keep silent.'
and If ever that time had appropriate sig
nificancc, IL is now, on the part of those who
cannot give cheerful support to the Govern-
ment. For the wisdom OF this reflection ]
would recommend the teachings of the late
| speech OF the venerable John j. Crittenden.
| But have already trespassed too much on
| your time and patience. The subject is fer
tile with nsefu lessons for our future gui-
dance. and are so unmistak eably plain, that
they need no false coloring TO make them un-
dersteod
In conclusion would add that, since tile
Government has committed 60 anpardoaa6le
an offence as TO interfere with the reasonable
connections OF tins chief of copperheads, |
have had Intercourse with soldiers from half
dozen different States. and have conversed
with many on this subject, and | have yet to
hear the first mar express sympathy with VAL
iandlghani but, on the contrary, are profuse
IN their expressions of condemnation of his
course, land all those who sympathize with him.
do not say there are no exceptions to this
rule, among those who sport tape, aud who III
many cases are here with no honest intentions;
but do say, there very few among those
who bear the principal ight and tolls of the
contest remain yours truly, w.R.B B.