North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-03-18


was persisted in until repeated disasters
came to exhibit it's folly and impotency.-
Yes the necessity of allies, utterly secuted
in the outset, became demonstrated on the
plains of Manassas and in the swamps of
the Chickahomony. The course of events
taught US that assistance would be useful,
IL not Indispensable, to the great work of
subduing rebellion and restoring the integ-
rity Of the Union.
Recognizing tb1 truth, the men in power
have turned their attention to the negroes
the subject race of the Southland propose
to arm aud employ them as allies in the war
This experiment is likely to be carried out,
to DO freely tested, and to produce results
which, to say the least, will be instructive in
future times.
In marked contrast to this desperate ex-
periments, conservative men look for alli-
ance and aid to the white race-our own
stock and kindred-and propose to secure
their cooperation in restoring the Union by
apollcy of conciliation, and by the example
OF return by our own government to true
Constitutional rule, uninfuenced by fanatic
al passion and regardful of all State and iu-
dividual rights as established by our fathers.
In their policy, the conservative element
along the border and in the South is to be
encouraged and developed not repelled,
spurDed and insulted
Great allowance is doubtless to be made
for an administration charged with the con-
duct of great war, and particularly civil
war. The difficulties to be surmounted are
great and often the course to be pursued is
but choice between evils. At such a gen
erous mind will not seek occasion of offences.
and can overlook small points of objection in
reviewing public affairs.
But the subjects now brought into debate
by the policy of government are fundamen-
tai and vital it is impossible to be indifer-
ent to them, and it would be unmanly to
cvade them. Frank, full, open debate upon
them, will lead to useful conclusions, ard
give due direction to our efforts as citizens
VA OAOASA ohA oAAaSbOu SOuutIJs
1t results from what has been said. that
the Administration now in power may ex.
psct from the great mass of those politically
opposed to 1T, acquiescences in legitimate
exercise of powers with which it is invested.
whether relating to the war or internal ad
ministration. But they will claim and exer-
else the right of discussing the wisdom and
constitutionality ofits policy, and will resist
by all lawful means any attempt to pervert
the war from its true object, or to use the
war power as an instrument for introducing
arbitrary rule amongst US.
And they will labor to prepare the way for
the complete reunion Of the States, upon their
accession to power; OIL, if (in contradiction
OF their fears) such reunion should previous
ly be achieved by arms, then to confirm it
snd render it real, cordial and perpetual.
Let it be distinctly understood that the
great mass of the Democratic party and of
the conservative men of the country have new
er agreed, do not now agree, and have no in
tention of agreeing in future, to dissolution
OF the American Union founded by Washing
ten and his compatriots, and that they will
not cease their efforts for its complete rcsto-
ration in its original, pristine vigor But to
accomplish this purpose, they, unlike their
opponents, will use all legitimate means of
restoration, and not physical force alone
This may be boldly and openly announced,
everywhere and ought to be accepted every
where, as the only reasonable and patriotic
ground upon which party can stand that
desires and intends to save the country.
The administration has deliberately cast
away all means of restoration. except physi
cal force, and has called into existence great
unnecessary obstacles to success, until, not
withstanding the immediate difference of ap-
parent strength between the parties to the
war, it's issue hangs trembling in the balance
But let US not despair of the future: 81 Out of
this nettle danger" we may yet "puck the
flower, safely" We may hope that the re-
naming months of Mr.. Lincoln's term will be
got past without complete exhaustion, and
the point of time arrived at, when vigorous
and truly great party, clean-handed from the
past; thoroughly Union, upright, just patri-
etic and brave, will assume possession of the
powers Of government. And then, this party
with an old history Unidentified with the glo-
ries Of the country binding to it sympathy
and affection in every quarter, with no selfish
local or fanatical passions, to weaken or mis-
lead it; with generous, ever handed, im
partial, time-tried creed, conformed to the
Constitution, and springing naturally from it's
princlples-this party, thus qualified to speak
to the whole land, and to be heard with af-
fection and reverence, can and will command
these wild waves of human passion to be still
and rejecting alike the fanaticism of Boston
and of Charleston, will rebind these great
States together, in enduring bonds of inter-
est and symnathyl