Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-11-18
THE MEANING OF IT.

The New York Tribune, referrin to the
great victories which have been gained for
the Union cause, asks what IL means, ana tnuS
answers the query:
The fact that every loyal State-every State
that is not under the feet of the Confederate
IebeIs-has this year elected the ticket whose
hostility to those rebels and friendship for the
National Administration was most declded-is
very significant. The States which, at their
latest election respectively. have indicated
their confidence in and good will toward the
Federal Executive Br: follows:
Maine, OHIO, New Hampshire, Indiana,
Massachusetts,, Illinois, Rhode Island, Michi-
gan. Connecticut, Wisconsin, Vermont, Iowa,
New York, Minnesota, Pennsy lvania, Kansas,
Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri,
West Virginia, Oregon, California.
Contra, 10y meagIe and fading majority,
New jersey.
New Jersey might have been carried with
the rest and We think would have been, had
there been Governor and Gong gressiUnai Del
egation to elect this year. As it is, there is
4 Union gain IL either House and in the pop
uiar vote.
Now, this result means something, especial
ly in view of the StrikingIy different result
last year. 1t certainly does 1iOk mean what
Lord Lyons wrote arl Russell that the re-
suits of our last years elections did mean
that the people of the loyal States were dis,
Couraged at the i'll success of the war for the
Union and the. eiure incline 10 let the reb-
els have their own way. On the contrary, all
realize and agree that ii means the very re-
verse of this. Some Of the opposition jouru-
ais talk as though ii indicated an ind difference
To civil libertyi but that is quite unjust. 1t
is slavery, not liberty, that Is viewed with in.
creased and increasing Siavor by our people.
And, as Mr.. Clay suggested that Texas, a per
manent acquisition, should not be rejected be-
cause OF slavery, temporary institution, SO
the people OF to day aEquiesce in some tenn
porAry restriction OF their liberties in times
ut CONFUSION and public peril, for the sake of
their permanent establishment and yndIca-
:iuu. They endure the summary dongs of
Provost MarshalS and Commanders OF Dcuart-
lnents, III the assurance that they are striking
The shackles off the limbs OF millions through
ont future gcncratlons-uOt the shack les mere
iy OF slaves, but those which for two genera-
lions have padlocked the lips aud fettered the
pens OF lovers of universal justice and Hucrtv
throughout half our country, while subjectiHg
them 10 ignOniny and sacrifices Ill over the
lana. Tie people hope and trust that this is
ln" To cease, and III that faith endure and t.
ven welcome present privu tion and suffering
The conclusion hat they mean to have the
TeOchUn put square down, is not ours mere
~. All the journals positively agree in it,
Sume define ii u delusion, tending to ruin
Gus practical errors but they do not the less
recognize its existence. Several of the lead
Tag opposition Journals attribute the result of
lie recent elections mainly to the predomin-
alce OF this resolution. And they are not far
wrong.
Let US, then, all agree in this as one point
settled. The people may or may not approve
AEOlITaTy arrests; thoy may or may not ap-
Prove the general conduct of the war for the
lnioni they may and may not believe that,
10 order that the Union may be truly and con-
e'lsIvely restored slavery will have to die
Ah4 they certainly do hold that the Union
must ald shall be preserved, even though TO
SAs END 1t should be necessary to hurt the
ieeihgs OF traitors and rebels. They don't
intend 10 creep in at the back door of the rebel
COh'eueracy /; they don't mean 10 coax or buy
'"e return OF the nations prodigal sons but
tue! do mean that the Federal Republic foun-
W" Oy ashlngton and his com patriots shall
~ upueId, and that not stripe nor star shall
"e erased from its banner. Let us, then, con-
s'1eE THIS point settled, and cast about for the
,rs''S OF giving steady and certain effect TO
.Ie public will. And if any of the States
%"'eh are now uuder the military power of
e rebellion wish for peace, let them be as
, -,su mat 1t can only aud al any moment be
NuIed by submission to the Constitution,
avs ana FIghtful authorities of our common
country.