Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-12-02

more campaigns and they will form part Of the
general wreck. Each grave and each tear,
each wasted fortune and broken heart, puts us
that much further of from the object of the
struggle, and that much further of from peace
and happiness.
/ Viewing it thus, the terrible question was pre-
sented TO me, as 10 whether should continue
my lot in an enterprise so fruitIess and SO full
of woe, and help hold the masses OF the peo-
pie on to this terrible despotism of Darts
where only ruin awaits them; or whether |
should be quiet observer of it all, or lastly,
whether should assist in saving the remnant
of you from the wrecki
l have chosen the latter. l sha III send this
address to every hill and corner of the State,
to the citizen and soldier, at home or in prison,
and shall send with 1t my prayers to Almighty
God to arrest them in their pathway of blood
and ruin. Why trust DAVIS any longer? Had
he twice our present resources he would still
fall. With success he would be a despot
But the whole thing is tumbling to pieces.
Soldiers are leaving disguised and dishearten-
ed, and whole States have gone back to tLeir
homes in the national galaxy. Maryland and
Delaware will never again be shaken. Ken
lucky has ntrenched herself in The Union be-
hind wall of bayonets in the hands of her
own sturdy sons. Missouri is as firmly set in
the national galaxy Massachusetts. Tenn
essee, tempest-tossed and bolt riveD, under
the guidance of her great pilot, steers for her
old ~ BORING, and will be safely anchored be
fore the leaves fall while the rays OF light
from the old North State, flashing fitfuliy
from her darkness across the troubled waves
show that she stirs, is not lost, but is strug
CLING to rejoin her sisters.
None of these States will join the
South again. Then, with crippled armies
with devastated fields, with desoate cities,
with disheartened soldiers, and than III
with weak and corrupt leaders, what hope Is
left to the few remaining States, but especially
to poor, oppressed and down-trodden Arkan-
sas2 None! Better get our brothers home
while they are left TO us. Open the way for
the return of husbands, fathers and sons. and
bind up the broken links of The old Union.
The people must act to do this. l tell you
now, in grief and pain, that the leaders don't
care for your blood. Your sufferings move
them not. The tears and walls of your
guished and bereaved ones fall on hearts of
flint. While they can make dollar or wear
epaulet they content. Finally, with a
grisf stricken and sorrowful heart, | implore
mothers, sisters. wives and daughters to assist
by all their arts, in saving their loved ones
from this terrible scourge, ere ruin overtakes
you and them irretrievably. While God gives
me strength, daunted by no peri and swerved
by no consideration of self, l shall give you
my feeble aid.
@-s--s- .i-- r----r st,1sa ,,,ts-a,,f.As i,c,,
esty, patriotically and sorrowfuliy made, the
around Little Rock, under Federal protection
together with all other like men, who from
their own innate corruption, not able to
appreciate pure motives in oheres will tell you
that a desire TO 60 Congress has Influenced my
conduct. Do they suppose that would lose
the last dollar [ have and subject myself to
their slander and abuse for the chance of run
ming tor an Office when peace is made' Does not
my refusing upon principle to take my seat
in Congress in 1860 after triumphant election
in which | carried twenty two out of twenty
eight counties, show them what little value
[ set upon such bauble But will stop
their mouths by the solemn assurance that
there are not people enough on the continent
to induce me to go to Congress. | am sick
and tired and disgusted with public lite
Peace peace, and the safety of what is left
OF our noble and suffering people is my only
ambition We must bear in mind, too, as
we go along, that in conceding the chance of
a "Congress,' they acknowledge the failure |
of the Confederate cause. :.
To those who differed from me in the com |
meucement of this Rebellion, the extent aud |
bloodness of which no mortal could foresee, |
| must say that developments show that you |
were right and l wrong. But let by cones be !
forgotten, and let us all unite to bring about |
peace, and to lure our lost Plead from her |
that she may again sparkle in our |
nations coronet of stars.
Your fellow citizen, Z. W. CAN'T.
Little Rock, Oct. 7th, 1868.