North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-09-02
MIR. Blu CKALEW's LETTER.
To the Meeting at HughesyiIIe, Eastern
Lycoming, August 22d, 1863.


GENTLEMEN OF LYcoMING You are to
be commended for assembling yourselves as
men opposed to the Administration at Har-
risburg and Washington, and Tam glad to
contribute to your proceedings the express
ion of some few earnest words.
An issue between Power and Liberty is
distinctly presented US by the policy OF our
rulers, and if we stand Indifferent to it, or
acquesce in it's decision according to the
pleasure of those who aspire to be our mas
ters, what shame will be ours what loss
and injury what degradation and etenal
disgrace
By liberty do not mean license, but that
regulated freedom established by our ances-
tors which We have enjoyed hitherto with
out question, and the example of which we
have held forth proudly before other nations
as the reproof of their systems and the glory
of our own.
By power | do not mean legitimate author
ity, but authority usurped and lawIess, pur-
suing its own ends over broken Constit
ton and through the baleful flames of civil
war
Between these-between power and lib.
erty--can you hesitate in your choice Will
you hold up balance and weigh, doubtfuIly,
the arguments which sustain liberty again S
those which oppose it?
Observation-Disclosures these the magical
words by which despotsm is to be changed
in character, and made fit for our adoption i?
Shall the plea OF ryrantS be accepted as our
standard Of public rule Shall we concede
force, and justice and wisdom, to one of the
most impudent, false and injurious doctrines
ever intruded into the discussion of public
affairs
But there is necessity quite different
from that asserted on behalf of power) which
we must now admit as most evident and ur-
gent---d necessity that IRE rid ourselves of
those arho plead neceSSity as the Justification
OF their miSdeeds Those who cannot gov
ern lawfully and justly are not to govern at
all, but to give place to others. For it Is
monstrous to say that the Incapable and vi
ciOus shall lord it over their fellows. The
rulers who say they cannot govern bv law
and according to right, stand selfcondemn
ed. Judged out of their own mouths. thew
are unfit for rule and should be voted out o.
power
Gentlemen: the greatest son of New Eng
land spent most Of his life and won his great
fame in this Commonwealth. We are proud
that he became Pennsylvania and took
rank in our history with the founder of this
State with the illuatrious man who estab
lished it in deeds of peace" Let US try
the logic OF tyranny by the judgment of that
man. Let US invite the apologist of arbitra-
ry power and advocate of :. strong govern
ment." who fills our ears with impassioned
discourse upon Pnbtic SAFETY, and National
life, and necessity, to go with US to our great
commercial metropolis and there stand with
Us beside the modest slab which marks the
resting-place Of Benjamin and Deborah
Franklin" Oh how weak, and ptiful, and
low, and utterly false and detestabe will
there sound all these apologies for wrong
allsthese pretexts for stealing away TAX
ing away from the people, the rights and
liberties achieved for them by the great men
of former times! We will hear the voice of
Franklin sounding in our ears those memor-
able words of wisdom and warning which
should be written up or hung up in great
letters wherever the people meet for consul.
tation in times at public danger "THosE
WHO WOULD GIVE UP ESSENTIAL LIBERTY TO
PARCEASE LITTLE TEMpoRAY SAFETY, DE.
SERVE NEITHER LIBERTY NOR SAFETY !"
Gentlemen; Your political opponents
think that patriotism should be called loyal
ty. aud made to consist in unconditional, un-
questioning devotion to an ADMINISTRATION OF
the government. | believe you will agree
with me that this great virtue requires no
new name borrowed from the literature of
IN onarchy; that it is shown in devotion to
the Constitution and laws of the United
States and Of the several States, and that
he true patriot regards public officials with
a respect precisely pyoportioned to their OBJ
servance of law, justice and right, and to
their skill, wisdom and honesty in the per-
formance of their public duties.
Judge your public men fairly but freely
Let no man put paddock upon your lips,
nor impose upon you any of the false and
pernicious sophisms of arbitrary power
An important election approaches in this
commonwealth, and another important one
succeeds it next year. At these, YOU are re
qured to judge those who have ruled or mis-
ruled you since 1860, and to determine, as
far as your votes will go, the policy of the
future. You need no labored exhortaton
from me to inspire you with zeal, courage,
determination and fidelity in the discharge
of your electoral duties. Behold the evils