Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-06-24
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ayouRNAL,
0s THE BANKS OF THE NassEMoND,


Os THE BANKS OF THE NAssEMoND,
June 10th, 1868.
DEAR Row While waiting in anxious an-
ticipation for the final despatch that will
sure US that the boasted Gibraltar OF the south
west has been once more secured to loyalty
and the Union, II may not be improper, IN or
der to while away the passing hour, to permit
the thoughts 10 fit, in retrospect. atiiwari the
political horlson, aud see if those dark and
murky clouds, which have swept up from the
n orth, have not been fraught with evil por-
tent in the past, and look ominous for the fu-
ture. They may have had much to do in the
past, in preventing the dazzling sunlight OF
victory from perching upon the banners OF
our loyal 'sbraves." after having undergone
the fatigue and trials of the conflicts, aud
whose efforts in many fearful struggle have
preeminently entitled them TO bear from the
CORY field the palm of victory. How many
times have they been prevented from raising
the victorious shout, only true actors can
do, by the tardiness of this General or that,
who,>from unhallowed motives would sink the
honor OF the nation TO the lowest depths If,
perchance, he could succeed in dragging the
object OF his political jealousy along with it.
trust, then, that it Will not be thought pre-
sumption on the part of an humble soldier for
rejecting the views OF ninteen twentieth's
of those upon the same level, in regard to the
future welfare of this country, to dare to
transcend the limits OF the sphere which for
tune has assigned them aud endeavor TO Gull
some valuable, practical lessons from the
teachings of those who have made themselves
notorious for their loud professions of fealty to
the Constitution, as the supreme law of the
land while, at the same time, their det d
have spoken in thunder tones their condem-
nation. Ever ready, with keen perception to
detect the slightest encroachment by others,
upon the constitutional landmarks of the Gov
ernment, they have been the first to eneryate
the fundamental principles upon which our
republican institutions are based, and by their
treacberous, and unholy lust for place aud
power, turn this glorious inheritance into
tyranny more deSpotic, and more wicked than
any that has ever cursed the face OF the earth
since the days OF Adam. They would not hes
itate to consent to the dism EN- berment of the
sisterhoud of States and rear upon the ruins il
hing having for its chief corner stone the cru
Ell system of .4frican Siarery. These conclu-
sions have been irresistaby forced upon the
mind, when reflect that during the past two
years, events have traDspired of such stupen-
dous significance &c the future welfare OF the
| country, which ought to outweigh every other
earthly consideration; yet, notwithstanding,
these events have been made subservient o
the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of sect or party, by the
pontIcal intrigue of selfish, designing men.
We have the most indubtable evidence 10
warrant such conclusions, and the rejection
causes the noblest feelings of our nature to
stand aghaSt, and shudder, when contempla-
ting the prospect before us. No man to day,
need be Informed of the unhappy condition of
this country. All well know that the very
life of the nation is suspended in the balance.
That 1t is at this very moment assailed by the
most formidable array of internal foes that
has ever fallen TO the lot of any nation who
are graphing at its very vitals, and would hail
with demeniac joy the moment when the fata
mi ha str fhat Iaar n
| unity of the United States of America as
| thing of the past. The foes to the Govern
| ment aud the nation, are by no means all in
cluded in those who bear arms against it. Its
most inplacabie and most dangerous toes
to be found among those, who, while they are
| protesting to be its friends, take the occasion
to infiict the most dangerous wounds,-profes-
sing loyalty, they have proven traitors-pro-
| Tossing To reverence the government, they
have been untring in their efforts TO bring
the administration into disrepute and prolohg
tiIo war; and, processing TO effect compro-
| mise With armed traitors, the shortest road
to peace, they are surely and Stealthily en-
| deavoring TO bring about dissolution OF the
| Union.
Ii seems to me that any man who hestates
as TO which is the shortest way to peace and
to wipe out from our national escutche on for
ever the foul blot OF secession is devoid of that
loyalty which should ever characterize and
The great statesman, almost with his dying
breath. at the commencement of this struggle
said, ''the shortest way to peace was the most
stupendOus preparation for war" The glo-
rious emblem of our nationality was first trail
ed in the dust on southern soil, and by armed
traitors. They were the first raise the par
icidal hand-to throw down the gauntlet of
| war. n course was left to loyalty. without
distinction OF party, but to take itup. Any
other course would have implied assent to
their nefarious schemes. Argument had fail
ed because the traitors would not listen. Com
promise was out of the question, because its
overtures We're spurned and spit upon. Up to
this time many of the purest patriots in the
land sympatbized with the south, because
they were not wi Hing that the country should
be deluged with the pestilenee of intestine
war. They were willing TO concede TO this
misguided people even more than they in their
arrogance demanded and more than the Con-
stitution warranted; but TO no purpose. The
issue was upon us. Scarcely had the boom
ing of Sumpter's guns reechoed through the
North, till every frue patriot forgot that he
had ever made concessions to the south, or
broached compromise. The great national
heart was fired with indignation and the blood
OF every hero of his country leaped more free
ly through his veins. The tremendous aud
spontaneous outpouIing of the people, mani
Tested the great interest at stake. Those who
had hitherto shown Willingness to concede
to the people of the south as much, nay more
than they sought, now, that they had spurned
with loathing and disgust the sacred guaran-
tees OF the Constitutioy, were the first TO ring
out the alarm in clarion peals, and hurl their
hercest anathemas against the principle of Sc
cession, and denouuce in thrilling terms the
idea uf disrupting the unity of the States by
force OF arms, much less concede the right OF
peaceable separation Chief among these was