Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-04-01
UNION LEAGUEs


Time OF raging faction ssWheu bad men com
bine, the good must associate. else they viii
fall, one by one. an unpitied sacrifice in con
temptible struggle
The chief fault Of the great loyal majority
OF our people has been that they have neglec
ted organization. They have left this tire.
| mendous instrumentality almost entirely in
the hands of their adversaries. The true ex.
pianation of the alarming growth OF the Cop
| perhead policy throughout the Northwest
lies in the secret operations of the knights OF
the Golden Circle and affiliated societies
BY their clandestine and thoroughly concer-
ted manag eneDt, they were able to get the
control OF the Democratic organization. and
NIL up the legislature with men willing to lend
themselves to any schemes, however disloyal.
Ihey completely circumvented and over
sloughed the real sentiment of the people
These societies have their kindred associa-
tion in the East somewhat inferior, perhaps,
IN completeness of system and secrecy of op-
GRAFTON. but still laboring steadily toward the
same traitorous ends. The Jacobinical club
of New York City, which styles itself the
OulOu ASSOCIATION does one
part OF their work, and the conclaves for rails
ing the wind to scatter peace speeches and
papers do another part. Their assoc lated eff
forts are daily becoming more extended and
effective. They have already wrought pro-
digious mischief; yet, considering what they
lin at, their work has just begun They are
fast going on from audacity to audacity, and
even now they do not shrink from the word
Reroiution.
Loyal men have too long given a clear
field to these miscreants. They have taken
1t for granted that their cause was too sacre
to be seriously injured by faction. They have
looked passively on and made no sign, or
have INDUCED in croakings and grumblings
directly calculated to strengthen the hands of
the factionists, though not so designed
Considering the untiring activity of the ene-
mics OF the Government on the one hand,
and the general remissness of loyal men on
the other, the wonder is, not that the popular
heart is SO greatly relaxed, but that it has not
become completely demoralized. 1t is not in
human nature to be constantly subject to the
free play of such adverse influence without
bad effect. No cause has strength or sanctity
enough to secure steady fidelity without some
organized effort. Even the Christian religion
itself has to organize to provide for constant
stirring up of its adheronts by way of remem-
brance and successful makeway ag inst its
enemies.
One advantage, perhaps, has resulted from
the inaction of loyal men. The rebel sympa-
thizers have been enboldened to reveal their
spirit and purposes with fullness they other
wise would have avoided, The wayfaring
man, though fool, needs no longer have
glimmering doubt as to their essential dis 10y
atty. The delay has relieved true Unionism
of no small amount of trouble in smoking
out its adversaries from their old coverts. OF
their own accord they have come out into
broad daylight, and with defiant front. We
know now just where to find them, and how
to meet them. No blows need be wasted.
1t can very soon be settled which side is to go
to the wall.
But more time must he lost. Union
men must at once organize. The Union
Leagues which have been started must be
until they reach every city, vii |
age and hamlet between Maine and Califor-
MIA. Latent loyalty must be fred with new |
devotion. Public spirit must acquire an earn |
estness at once profounder and more vehe- |
nent. The vital principles, and the infinite |
interests at stake, which have been overshad-
owed and thrust into the back ground by mere /
'arty questions. must again be recognized,
md set forth, in all their imperative authori-
y. The terrible character of the eme rgency
must be brought closer home to all. 1t should
'e understood, as never before that the Re-
'ubiic expects every one OF her sons to do his
Whole duty in this her day of peril. The
anne esprit de corps The same generous ardor
he same intolerance of completely with the
ebels, which prevade and rule the army,
ught also to dominate outside of the ar
ny. Loyal men must put themselves in
ositlon to act in concert, wherever and how
yer the occasion may demand-yea, TO
march shoulder to shoulder to the bloody
eld, if need be. Valand igham, in his
peech at Newark before the adjournment of
congress declared that the Conscription bill,
passed, should be resisted, and the crea-
nres at his back cheered the menace. 1t has
assed. These wretches talk revolution just
hen itpleases them. 1t is high time they
hould understand there is no terror in their
hreats-that If they lift finger in opposition
D the constituted authorities of this Repub-
C, swftest retribution shall overtake them. +,
We say again, organize Union Leagues.
lad men have combined, and thereby added
thousand fold to their power. Good men
lust also combine, or be worsted. Party
mes are now nothing. The only difference |