The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-04-01
'sBayOnetS Think Now DaySv!
BY L. F. MAYNARD.

n 4wUNW A@9y
BY L. F. MAYNARD.
In the thinking of bayonets, there is a
persuasive power of rhetoric, and farce
OF logic. that is irresistible. When bay
onets think as now days let oppressors
and tyrants in whatever guise or form
they may appear take warning that, "they
have been weighed in the balances and
found wanting" and tha! their kingdom
has departed from them, and will be given
into the hands of the people.
The great question IN these United
States we are now deciding by our ballots
aud by our arms is, that Of popular lib
erty and Republican Government The
dearest rights of frecmen are at stake
equal laws, domestic tranquility, and per-
Sonat security! e..
The South in its blind madness to de-
stroy even its own interest, by wicked at
tempt to overthrow the best government
ever instituted among men; is to be
brought back to duty, only by the power
of arms for there is no other method Of
reasoning with madmen In the North
the ballot is still the defence Of civil lib
erty-yet even here there is motled
race Of copperheads-traitors who would
sell their birth right for "a mess of pot,
age !" the lowest motives of partisan and
self-interest, swayiug them against the
country's best good. In secret sympathy
with armed treason; they clamor fol
pence at any price, although it cover the
country with foul dishonor-nay although
1t PROSTATE the dearest rights of freemeu
at the feet Of the most cruel, wicked, sa,
tanic, Slave Oligarchy the world ever
knew. And these crawling, pawning
sycophants of a coDceted ariStocracy
while they would do all this well know
that those whom they would serve deerise
them, even in the abjectness of their sub
mission, and declare themselves Disguised
with their very presence.
In refreshing contrast to this class, is
that Of the great body of the people, ire
spective Of party, who have determined
as with cne mind, to maintain this noble
wise and good government of the old
Union against all enemies at home OF
abroad. With special significance also
comes the voice of the great Union AR
mics now in the field. in indignant rebuke
Of those at home, who love the "Flesh
Pots of Egypt" better than they love
their country. 1t was little to much
to ask of the brave defenders Of the coun.
try who have split their blood like water
and thousands of whose comrades have
laid down their lives as rich sacri
ice on the altar OF their country-that
all this should be in Vain.-while liber. y
was BETRAYED in the house of its pretend.
ed friends No, no let US not forget
that the soldier in the field is also citi.
zen, aud that while he holds in his strong
hands the bayonet, he also holds a still
stronger, brighter and more powerful
weapon of thought; forged in the bright
fires of his soul, burning with ardent de-
votion to the cause of liberty. And that
when our citizen soldiery shall return
from the wars, covered with the glory OF
'lCLUl " duu DCdlluS dipIL IlC olhuudi VI vi
the stars That fer the coward, traitor
and miscreaUt, who sought to Jetray, there
will be no mercy found.
Yes truly do bayonets think now days!
The crowned heads of Europe hedge
around their despotic power and state
with royal guard Of bristling bayonets
Yet the hour comes (and is even now
when it is a most unsafe reliance. Hu-
manity everywhere is awakening to a
conscious knowledge Of its glorious des-
tiny; it cherishes an ever increasing
sense of the necessity of unity to secure
the great cause of universal liberty
Greece and Italy the lands of the most
ancient and eminent republics feels the
inspiration of the grand past moving their
people TO unity, and the fires of demo.
cratic equality, now blazing there, are
swiftly spreading to sweep the northern
fields of Poland, Prussia and Russia
Poland! poor Poland, the spoil of the
Robber Nations bleeding, torn, murdered
Poland now with the electric touch of
the spirit Of freedom aWakes from the