Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-07-08

Why Is Invasion Thus Far Successful
When man receives blow on the head or
in the breast, he is naturally curious whence
the blow came, unless the shock be sufficient
to produce destruction. So with the invasion
which is now spreading its terrors along our
south eastern borders. .tand convulsng with
the widest excitement the people of the Com
monwealth from its centre to its circunfer-
ence. Why has this invasion thus far been a
success? Why was it attempted? Why have
the rebels risked presence in locality FL
led with sturdy popuat supposed to be
ready and able at any moment to repel an at
tack on their soil and their homes 2 We will
answer. Inva SION has thus far been a success
because we have not been prepared 20 meet it.
1t was attempted because the rebels knew by
information derived from those who live in
our own midst and sympathize with them that
thespeople of the State were not prepared to
meet any foe. and least of all such foe as
marches beneath the black flag of treason.
Why are not prepared for invasion Let
the record answer. In his last annual mes
sage TO the Legislature, IN January last Gov.
Curtin called the attention OF that body to the
danger of invasion in the following language:
''The militia law of this State is greatly de-
tective, and earnestly recommend the appoint
ment OF commission to prepare ard submit
an efficient system, to be reported before the
adjournment of the Legislature, so that action
may be had on the subject at the present ses-
sion. In the hurry of ordinary business the
Legislature might not be able to give the ne
CeSSaFy attention the of q prn
er measure, and events which have already
occurred prove the necessity of etiectua leg
islatlon on the subject. so that our people may
| be adequately protected
AT this particular time. this record is suf1i-
cient TO call forth our severest censure and
bitterest reproaches. But We forbesr, and
leave TO cotemporary to denounce what can
not fail to call forth similar responses from
our readers. The Lewistown Gazette, refer
ring to the record, says ssthat in the Senate as
well as We remember, bill was reported and
perhaps passed; bnt the House was far more
interested in bounding Gen. Cameron and
passing monopoly bills than the defence of
the State, and nothing was done. The border
| counties of Fulton, Franklin, Adams and York
as also Cum mberland, sent Democratic politi-
.
| lature-men who profess to believe and taught
others that President Lincoln was violating
| the Constitution in arresting suspected trai-
tors or aiders and abettors of treason that the
conscription law was unconstitutional and an
outrage, and various other charges which in
| other days We're construed tory ism, but are
now falsely converted into Democracy. One
would suppose that men thus interested would
| their constituents in comparative security.
But, no Foul party was uppermost in their
| thoughts, and the consequence is that in the
midst of promising harvest, the citizens of
| desOate, their horses and cattle taken, and
| the desoation of war visited upon their homes
Had these men acted on the suggestion of the
| Governor, bill! would have been passed au-
| 600 strong. who ought to have been drilled for
at least three months, and then furloughed
| nome, to be ready at moments notice; lib
| erai pay ought to have been offered while in
| service-not less than $50 month-and their
transportation to and from their homes paid.
Such force would have saved US from an in
vasion, or at least checked the rebels in their
career of punder until an adequate force could
have been raised to drive them from the State.
As 1t is, ordinary measures, effective only af-
Ter the evil has been accomplished, will have
| to be resorted to.''