Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-02-04
LIFTING THE CURTAIN.

| F. w. Hughes, Chairman of the Democratic
State Committee, has published a card to his
| friends in Pennsy lvania, which shows plainly
that the object for which he and his clique
are work ing is to divide the Union--to cut of
the New England States-and then lay the
shattered and dishonered fragments at the feet
of the rebels, crush out Freedom and make
slavery supreme. In order that our readers
may judge OF the spirit of the sscard" for
them Sc Ives, We append it entire
A Card from F W Hughes
| To my Democratic Friends in Peansyluania.
| The sympathy enlisted in my behalf, be-
cause of the Abolition persection through
which have passed, and my known views in
regard to the future of our afflicted and mis-
| governed country has evoked expressions of
regret for my defeat in the recent contest for
United States Senator. Let me assure you
that you have but little occasion for any regret
on that account, but great cause for congratula-
tion that gentleman of such surprising abili-
| ty and sound Constitu tional and State Rights
| views as the Hon. Charles r.. Bnckalew
has been selected. have had comparatively
| little other feeling or anxiety on the subject
of my election than that perhaps | might, in
the position sought, be the humble instrument,
under Providence, in serving my native State
and our common country.
believe that God has engraven on the face
of this Western Continent, so legibly that all
should read it, that the territory from the
mouth of the Mississippi to the headwaters of
its tributaries, as well as such as flank this
space and afford outlets to the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans. must be forever governed so as
to confer on every part free commercia! inter-
course throughout the whole, ,and unobstructed
navigation of its inland waters. So too such
country should always be provided with means
for the common defence, and Sc to promote the
general welfare.''
The Union as it was and the Constitution as
it is, would best accomplish all this, if Abo-
litionism would permit.
While our national glory would be best pro-
NOTED by the preservation of our present po-
litical relations to the New England States,
yet if they will insist upon the destruction of
the Union by the subjugation of the Southern
States, or by their separation from them, L am
ready to yield to the latter rather than to the
former OF such alternatives. The New Eng
land States constitute the seat where the doc
trine of secession was first asserted, they are
the hot bed in which has been propagated all
the heresies that have produced national dis
order-they our rivals in commerce and
and manufactures, and the sacrifice of submit
ting to their separatin from US would be much
less than that of our separation from the great
South and West. 1t is impossible for the
Western States ever to permit the control of
the mouth of the Mississippi to be lodged in the
hands of an Independent government. Their
destiny is inexorably linked with free transit
through the great inland navgable waters that
river and its tributaries afford. The future
prosperity of Pennsylvania alike dependent
on her connection with the great West.
without protesting to speak or to know the
views of Mr.. Buckaiew on these points, yet
my confidence in his devoted patriotism and
comprehensive craftsmanship gives me assu-
rance that he does not essentially differ from
those above stated. 1 am sure he agrees with
me that the measure and policy now directed
by Abraham Lincoln, more than any other,
have brought US to our impending ruin. He
haS tue aoiity 10 present IN the SENATE OF the
United States, the solemn protest of Pennsyl-
vania against these measures and policy and
trust the.courage and energy to see that such
prorest is not iE vain.
There is yet abundant work for the true men
of Pennsylvania to do, to protect her true in-
terest and her political and natural bonds. To
this good work 1 shall, as heretofore, de-
voted my humble efforts. F. W. HUGHES.
Pottsyille. Jan 18th 1919