Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-09-16
THE ROAD TO PEACE y


The Richmond Enquirer, of the 7th Sept,
contained article with the above heading,
in which it foreshows some of the plans upon
which the traitors now depend to accomplish
their ends. The Enquirer says the approach
ing session of the United States Congress will
be one of no ordinary interest-that. during
its existence, political parties will arrange
their respective platforms-that the contest
for the Speakership will be excitng-that if
the Democrats are successful, they will have
the arrangingiof the committees-that the re-
ports of these com mittees W Ill form the ground
work of the next Presidential campaign-acd
that should Meade in the meantime be driven
into Washington, and the capital OF the Uni
ted States be beleagured by Lees army, the
capture of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the
repulse al Gettysburg and the siege of Charles
Enquirer then goes on to say =
ssIn vain will Halleck point to G rant Banks,
and Gilmore, If the Army of the Potomac is
forced to CT ouch under the Notifications of
Washington, and cover before the advance of
Lee. The friends of Mcclellan will assail the
Admin inistration for more shameful failures
than those for which ne was dismissed; they
will point to the besieging army and ask for the
proofs of the battle OF Gettysburg they will
inquire into the ..escape'' OF Lee and, para
ding the Administration papers accounts of
the battle OF Gettysburg ask why Lee was not
bagged NJ ,ade besieged in Washington will
be incontrovertable evidence of the falsehoods
perpetrated upon the public.
Should General Lee cross into Maryland,
the embsrrassments OF Lincoln would increase;
his victorious" army unable to take the field
and attempt the repetition OF Sharpsburg and
Getty sburg, would be compelled to remain IN
Washington, while Gen. Lee marched whittier
soever he wished in Mary land or Pennsy lvania.
The success Of the Democratic party WoHLd be
no longer doubtful should Gen. Lee once more ad-
rance on Meade. Parties in the United STATES
are so nearly balanced that the least odrantage
thYo,cn in faUor of one JriH insure ms success.
Should the Confederate army remain quies-
cent on the banks OF the Rappahannock, the
boastful braggadocia of Yankee reports will
be confirmed, and Lincoln and Halleck will
point in triumph to the crippled condition of
the Confederate army as confirmation of the
great victory won in Pennsylvania. The Dem
Ocrats, unable to gainsdy such euidence, aciH be
constrained TO enter the contest for SpeGkerShip
shorn of The principal part of their Strength
the Gfsgracefnf mtsnaanGgement and conduct of
the todr.
General Lee must turn politician as we'll as
warrior, and we believe he will prove the most
successful politician the Confederacy ever pro-
duced- He may more and direct his army as
TO produce political results, chich, in their bear
ing upon this uUar, wiH prore more efectuaL than
the bioOdiest victories. Let him drive Meade
into Washington, and he will again raise the
spirits of the Democrats confirm their timid, and
gire confidence TO their ua0eriag. He ioilt EN-
bolden the Peace party should he again cross
the Potomac, for he will show the people of
Pennsylvania how little security they have
from Lincoln tor the protection OF heir homes.
1t matters not whether the advance be made
for purposes OF permanent occupation, or sim
ply for grand raid it will demonstrate that,
in the third year of the war, they so far
from the subjugation of the Confederate States
that the defence of Mary land and Pennsylva-
n ia has not been secured.
fall campaign into Pennsylvania, lvith the
hands of our soldiers united, not for indiscrim-
mate plunder-demoralizin and u ndiscipiin
ing the army-but Campaign for sysemat
ic and organized retaliation and punishment.
would arouse the popular mind TO the uncer-
taiDty and insecurity of Pennsy lvania. This
would react upon the representatives in Con-
gress, Strengthening The Democrats, and molli-
flying even TO the hard she'll of fanaticism it
self
Thus, it will be seen, that the traitors of
the South base all their hopes of success upon
the aid they are to derive from the SO called
ter probably expect to gain largely at the com-
ing election by raid of the Rebels into Penn
sylyanis at that time Let every man care
fully peruse the Enquirer's article, and then
decide for himself how he shall act and vote
this Fall.