Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-02-18
VOL. Ono. %.

merce and property, not men. Thirty four
thousand, as l have said, were fed every day ,
and precisely the same action was taken to-
ward men who needed this assistance as would
be taken here
But those men had no voice in the newspa-
pers abroad or at home, and the consequence
was, their thank and their applause were new
er heard, while the complaints of the property
men, who felt that when they were struck
slavery struck, flowed all over Europe and
the North; and every Misrepresentation that
the malice of enemies and traitors could devise
vas resorted to. in order to embarrass, and
if possible defeat my plans. But there is one
thing have right to say and 1 thank you,
sir, for adverting to it-and that is, that from
the first week when our soldiers entered New
Orleans until | left there, it was as safe, as
quiet, and as convenient to attend to ones
business, by day or by night, as ever it was in
the best governed cities of the North-even
our own. loud applause.l
Remember this: that while we may feel this
war is hard for US, it is the effort of despera-
tion for them. have seen the eonscrIpt law
of the South taking the boy of sixteen and
the old man of sixty-the schoolmaster not
sxeepted-and force them into ranks. While
it costs us effort, it costs them desperation.
While 1t costs us labor, it costs them life
blood. wish that they might be- won back
without this but so they have not chosen
As long as life lasts, as long as any power re-
mains. we must stand by the Union, one and
indivisible. [Appause.l
Every traitor, every man, every stream, ev-
cry lake, every river, every mountain that
ever belonged to the flag of the United States
must still remain under the flag of the United
States, cost what it will, cost what 1t may.
Enthusiastic applause.l If, as you fatterng-
ly observed. shall go back to another field
of duty, shall go back with the determina-
tion never to give up, never to compromise
[renewed applause, never to have anything
but that flag of ours as the symbol of our na-
tionality. Whoever differs from that, let him
go Sonth OF Mason and Dixon's line-he has
no business here. lApplause.l
We may have no means of dealing with him
here, but they plenty at the South who
viii receive him with open arms, for the rea-
son that he is their friend, not the friend of
the country. Who proposes to give up the
tomb of Washington? Who Yorktown? Who
the honors won by Jackson at New Orleans
Who proposes to have anything less than that
which belongs to us1 Who proposes to give
up our fair claim to Mexico, if it comes to
that? No one proposes to give up the rights
OF this Union.
But let me .epeat-because hear there are
some who falter--come what may whether veal
or woe, there is one thing which We win not
lose, and that is,the supremacy of this Govern
ment over every inch of our boundary.
desire single word the question of
On that question, you know,I
hays held certain opinions. Those opinions
nave received, in some degree, correction. I
have views to offer which think will COM
mend themselves to the Judgment of every one
Of you.
is there man here who doubts that some
lime or other, in the providence of God, the
negro is to be free-and that some day the
of the laws will be extended oyer
aim, aud that he will become free No man
he evils that may arise from that change, and
ShiCH CdnuOL Oe DaQo Without QlSOrganlZlng
our political system. 1t is my opinion that
III this has been sent upon the nation for some
,reat object; and tits my opinion that it will
'e easier at this time to settle this question
han to leave it to be settled hereafter.
Is 1t not evident to every mind, that the day
md hour have come when all men, SO far as
his country is concerned-and it is the last
eiuge OF slavery on the globe-shaIl be in
'oliticaI rights free and equal, as they were
lee Jared by the Declaration of Independence
Applause. Let no man be cOnceI ned about
he question Of social equality. They viii be
ust SO far equal as God has made them equal,
nd no more and no less. Take care lest we
e found fighting against God. If He has not
lade them our equals, they win not be our
quals. But He has made them free. God
Tiled them free. God will have them free.
md let His will be done
certain divine who was more eminent in
is days for the brilliancy OF his imagination