Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-11-18
THE UNION PARTY-IFs MISSION.

the loyal States are source of great gratifi-
! cation TO loyal men everywhere. This Is
| proper and right; but amidst their reJoicings
/ the members of that party should remember
| that the credit OF defeating the sympathisers
with rebellion does not belong to any former
political organization exclusively, but to the
united effort of the truly loyal masses in the
several States in which elections have been
held, and hence, no individual, or party,
should lay claim to having exerted any pecu-
| liar influence in bringing about this glorious
victory over the enemies of our country to
the exclusion of all others. Indeed, many
| who have heretofore been opposed to the par
! ty which elevated the present National EXecu-
| tive to his high position, are entitled to
much of the credit of the recent triumph of
| the Union party, and hence deserving Of the
thanks of all loyal men, for their truly patri-
otic course in laying aside party affiliations
and uniting with their former political oppo-
nents in electing men to positions OF trust
whose loyalty is above suspicion. Such
surrender of party prejudice is, perhaps, with
out parallel in our country's history. But
the momentous events OF the times demanded
the sacrifice, and it was freely and nobly made.
This breaking loose from party affiliations,
too, proves one fact. No matter how siren
uously party may be adhered to in times of
peace, when imminent danger threatens our
Republican liberties, then the masses are
ready TO stand by those institutions, to the
annihilation of all past political associations,
and political dictators are no longer regarded
bythem as demi Gods, but as mere tricksters
to advance self-interest.
In the recent elections to which we refer.
those who forgot party tor country have proved
themselves free men, indeed and as such
they will be regarded by the friends of liberty
everywhere. It is well for our country that
| the sentiments of our people have such no.
BILE and patriotic tendency. Public interest
| demands aunanimity of opinion. The people,
despite the Vaccinations of political dema-
gogues, have shown that they understand their
own interests they arc sovereign and
have the power and the will to maintain and
| develop the glory of our country, and of our
| free inStitutiOns,--th they are united in
| this the hour of their coGntry's greatest peril
| upon one common platform, the Union-aDd
| that they will maintain that glorious inheri-
| tance intact, and at all hazards. But to do
| this, they must be unit. They must not
suffer themselves again to be cut up into frag-
ments to advance the interests of mere poll
ticians. They have a higher and a more no.
| bic mission than TO cater to the desires of
! place seekers. They have their country to
! save. To accomplish this object they must
be true to themselves, and their organization.
They want no dissensions thrust into their
midst on any subject. In the language of a
cotemporary-theyw want no jealousies created
in reference to individuals. They cannot af-
| ford to divide themselves to settle the claims
of any man for office. They must be unbro-
ken and undsturbed by any influence, because
all these are demanded by'higher objects than
those which cluster around the ambition of
any man. The interest or aspiration which
F! intrudes itself into the ranks of loyal men. to
create dissensions and jealousies, should be
regarded and denounced as worse than the in
tuence which is struggling to trampe the
| rights and the interests of all loyal men into
the DUST In fact, he who seeks to sever the
bonds OF that organization which is now en-
gagged with wicked conspiracy, merely that
he may crafty far reaching ambition for
personal renown and personal position, is
worse than a traitor, and unworthy of associa-
tion with those who are in armed rebellion
| against our Government. We caution the
loyal and true to be on their guard We warn
the masses throughout our land-the men
| who fill up our armies--the heroes who sup
| port the Government with their labor, and de-
fend it with their lives, not to be msled by
any man or set of men. We cannot afford to
barter away our days of glorious victory to a
loyal cause, to those whose only aim is profit
| and plunder. The office should seek the man, g,
| and not the man the office. Then our good
cause would not be impaired by ambitious ri,
yals, and our glorious hope frustrated by the
passions of the demagogue and political
trickster. The country which we love, and
the principles which we cherish and defend
are too sacred to be sacrificed 10 such uuholy
ambition, for under them we must flourish
and live, or perish with them.
Then, in conclusion we would say,-be uni
ted, be firm, be patriotic, be true, and the re-
suit will be the complete and permanent over
throw of the enemies of our Government
| both North and South and then will
emerge from this intestine strife purified,-a
more powerful, more honored, and a more
glorious and patriotic people,-a nation that
will be respected for ages to come.
HOSPITALS IN THE U. STATES.
We have now in the United States at least
two hundred and thrty-fv general hospitals
| for the use of the soldiers, containing about