Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-09-16
THE UNION STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEES

ADDRESS.
An interesting address has just been issued
by the Union State Central Committee. BY the
frankness with which the chairman of the
committee, Wayne McVeagh, discusses facts,
aud the perfect freedom with which he refers
to the issues involved in the campaign in which
we are engaged, it is very evident that he has
high appreciation of the intelligence OF the
people of Pennsylvania, and that he relies up
on their Judgment, and not their prejudice,
for decision at the election which is fast ap-
preaching. In this respect, the address of the
Union Committee is uulike that issued by the
committee representing the elements of an
tagonism to the Union in the Keystone State.
The great idea set forth in this address is
one which the Union men of every State
should sever loss sight of. at least so long as
the struggle for the Government continues.
We are fighting traitors in arms We are con-
tending icith those pho first robbed, outraged and
insulted the Government, and then attempted by
the force Of arms 10 destroy our Nationality
The Union State Central Committees address
rests all the issues of the contest on this fact
ON the great, appalling and bloody fact of
rebellion, and until that rebellion has been
crushed out, peace restored and the govern
ment recognized and respected in every State
OF the Union, there can be no other issues Gre
ated unless it is designedly to embarrass the
government. On these points, the argument
of the address is simple pure and indisputable.
In referring to Justice Woodward, the ad
dress is at once fair and candid. While it
treats the opposing cand date for Governor
with dignity and courtesy, it thoroughly con
victs him of boldly spoken sympathy for trea-
son. 1t convicts this candidate of falsehood
by the testimony of one distinguished rebel
more honest than Woodward. At the outset
of the rebe llion Alexander II. Stephens now
Vice President of the confederacy, asked of
the people of Georgia.
What right has the North assailed What
interest of the South has been invaded
What justice has been denied or what claim
founded on justice or right has been withhold
Can either of you to day name one govern
mental act of wrong deliberately and purposely
done by the Government at Washington of
which the South has right to complain. /
challenge an answer -
While Stephens, in the South, uttered the
| foregoing. Woodward, a Judge of the Supreme
Court of Pennsy lyania, spoke as follows in
Philadelphia
"Everywhere in the South the people are
beginning TO look out for the means of self de.
fence Could it be expected that they would
be indifferent to such scenes as have occurred
that they would stand idle and see such meas
| ures concerted and carried forward for the an
ninilation sooner or later, of their property
in slaves. /? Such expectations, if INDUCED
| are not reasonable.
'sThe law of self defence includes rights of
property as well person, and it appears to
me there must be time in the progress of
this conflict, if it indeed is rrepressible when
Shareholders may lawfully fall back on their
natural rights, and employ in defence of their
property whatever means of protection they
possess or can command. They who push on
this conflict have convinced one or more
Southern States that il has already come.''
By this plain contrast which the address of
the Union State Central Committee places be-
fore the people, Justice Woodward IS convic-
tion is beyond dispute. We shall not stop to
inquire who at the time was the best patriot.
Alexander Ell. Stephens or George W. Wood
ward or whether now the Vice President
of the confederacy is less loyal than the Cop
perhead candidate for Governor of Pennsyi-
vania. Mr.. Woodward's speech, to prove the
VI
eousness of the rebc cllion. stands yet unrevok-
ed. Mr. Stephens himself never claimed that
slavery was divine or the rebellion right.
but Woodward's disIoyalty has shot beyond
the mark. No fairer argument than this re-
markable contrast could have been presented
TO our citizens. 1t cannot be misunderstood
nor can it be explained away, for Justice
Woodward himself has not attempted the task
Can We avoid the feeling that his nomination
is an insult to the people
The address of the Committee is in. other
respects able and valuable. The beginning
and career of the war is carefully and compre-
hensively reviewed, and the historic relation
of Governor Curtin to its progress, is faith
fully pointed out. No man has wrought more
faithfully than he for the good of the State
and the country, and it would be hard TO
speak more highly of what he has done, and
is doing. He is the candidate OF the LOYAL
men of the State, and by them will receive
that highest tribute to personal and private
worth which an American citizen can obt ain
their votes, their support, and their con-
fidence.