Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-08-26

have received an immense stimulus from the
war. There is no branch OF this trade which
is not infinitely better now than il was before
the war broke out. Perhaps il was convenient
to ignore this in the Democratic address, be
cause iron is the great staple of Pennsy lvanis.
The capital invested in it has increased, the
workmen have more work and better pay, and
Pennsylvania so far from growing impoyer-
ished 10y the war, is far richer than ever she
was before. The exaggerated rates of foreign
exchange have stimulated enormously the de-
mand tor Pennsy ivania petroleum for export,
so that the trade has become as important as
that IN btuminous coal. The war did this
first, by diiiusing wealth everywhere in such
way as TO furnish superabundance of capital
seeking investment, and second by rendering
it preferable 10 adjust foreign trade balances
by means of exports of petroleum.
This does not exhibit disastrous state of
affairs, nor can Col. Biddle find any evidences
OF the existence OF industrial prostration. II
the manufacture OF cotton goods has suffered
1t must be borne in mind that the manufacture
OF WOODEN goods has increased immensely and
the profits derived therefrom have enabled the
SobNoh oHHeES W CAdUSS lHSlf Inacnlnery
and put their hands at work on woolen goods.
We cannot call to mind period in the history
of the republic when our industry was so pros.
porous as ii is now. OF men able to work and
willing to do SO, the number of idlers is very
small, and all who know how to work can get
employment at renunerative wages. Every
city and town in the commonwealth is prosper
al and Hnuri fo DC,
and the farmers have shared in the general i'm
provement. More provisions and breadstuffs
have been exported from the great seaports of
the loyal States during this war than in any
former years, whereby we have created an
enormously increased market in Europe for our
northern produce, which at the restoration OF
peace must be Of incalculable value to the
whole country.
Where does Col. Biddle find the evidenceto
sustain him in the assertion that ssthe strength
and wealth of the nation are turned from pro-
ductive industry and consumed in the destrue-
tive arts of war 20 We have shown that our
agriculture and manufactures are richer than
ever. The ''strength and wealth, 20 therefore,
have not been taken from them. Then look
at our fiscal institutions. They are all vastly
richer now than before the war. They have
lost nothing. The private bankers, brokers
and merchants are in the same condition. The
workmen all have steadier work and better
pay hence they have not suffered. The cur
rency is everywhere improved. Capital is
abundant. Commerce trade, industry, all are
prosperous. The rebel States are impover-
ished, we grant; but the loyal States are rich
er and stronger than ever. Every farmer has
a better market for his crops every farm la
borer better demand for his labor; every
manufacturer better market for his prod
ucts; every working man better market for
his skill; every store keeper better market
for his wares.
AS for the strength of the nation, which
his address speaks of as consumed by the war,
that consists of various things which we can
soon examine: First the prosperity and wealth
Of the people, which, as we have shown, arc
greater than ever. Second, its revenues un-
der the present Administration we have ma
tional revenue system so far ahead of anything
in American experience as to challenge the ad-
miration even of its opponents. Third, its
credit; let the world produce another exam
pie OF a nation which, in SO gigantic war as
this, has ever maintained its credit so unim-
paired as ours. Fourth, its army and navy;
Nc presume that these speak for themselves.
Fifth, the actual powers welded by the gov
the outcry made about ssarbitrary
upon civil liberty sufficiently
answer any supposition of weakness or dimin-
shed power.
Here are all the elements of national
strentI arranged in order. In each We are,in
the eyes of Europe and America alike, as tri-
umphantly the great republic as at any former
period of our history. More SO. The world
Used TO think that We possibly might DO cspa-
BILE of great things. In this war il has seen
our power displayed in its full proportions.
The author of the Democratic address cannot
point to any of these elements in which we
nave grown weaker. The assertion in the adj
iress is mere rhetoric assumption made for
Effect upon the public. mind, totally unsus-
aimed by facts, and the Democratic Commit
&c have made no attempt to sustain it.
THREE GIRLS sDRowsED.-A most distressing
lccident occurred in W ilmot towship, Bradford
county, on tho evening of the 9th inst, resul-
ing in the drowning of Ellen Heath and Alice
einney, each seventeen yearssof age. 1t APP
,ears that they, in company with another