The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-12-23

/ proportionate division OF sentiment expressed
by the soldier in the late elections, that was
manifested by their fathers and brothers at
home
1t is this army vote, (not to speak of other
frauds,) which has given our opponents their
recent beggarly triumph in Pennsylvania. Beg
garry indeed-when it is recollected that it
shows falling off of from forty to fifty thou
sand in their majority, within the last four
| years! Such a victory, and so obtained, heto-
kens speedy downfall as a party, to the ad-
vocates of negro equality in our staunch old
! Commonwealth. Revolutions neuer go backwards.
1t is worthy Of remark here also, that change
of twenty-five thousand votes properly divided
amongst the larger States, would have defeated
/ Mr.. Lincoln altogether.
1t was our duty, fellow citizens, TO have res
eued the constitution at the late elections, if
we could. The effort was calamity, but un-
successfully made And now, in view of all
that must inevitably transpire within the next
I four years, | feel honestly, more like eongrat-
ulating you as political party, on having es-
capped fearful responsibility, than offering ex-
plantations and coincidence over defeat. After
! vutailing a weight Of suffering upon this coun-
try, from which nothing but the most radical
measures can over relieve ii; after having for
ced into operation financial system, which IS
but the mask of ruin in that regards after so
mis-managing the unfortunate civil war now
upon their heads, as to leave scarcely hope
Of saving the Union-it is but right that the
Abolitionists, and their instrument Abraham
Lincoln, should remain in position to feel the
first fruits of their own wickedness and folly,
and meet the curses and condemnation ef an
outraged and suffering people, when the impend-
ing clouds shall mature into storm and dark
ness
Our plain duty, fellow citizens, both as
party and as patriots, is to maintain our noble
organization in all its power and activity. 1t
now comprises upwards of two hundred and
seventy-six thousand freemen--the bone sinew
and brains of the Commonwealth. Every hope
of an ultimate reunion of the States, and of
restoring the Government and laws to their
original purity and vigor, lies in !he progress
and ultimate triumph of the Democracy. We
mRsdt Sf ana Sdntrdc nTtirhdcae cur timehonored prn
UIE,I0o UUlUIO tie people. Instead OF dlsband-
ing our clubs and associations, let US increase
their number and inspirit theil action. Hold,
at least, monthly meetings Gather If possible,
and organize 2 Democratic ASSOCIATION in every
school-district, and boldly canvass on all prop
er occasions the measures of our corrupt and
imbecile rulers. Expose the secret leagues and
banditti-Iike gatherings of our opponents; and
hold up 10 merited scorn those who, in mid
night assemblies, and under kindred darkness
conspira to rob and ruin our country, and at
the same time to degrade our people by plot
ting an affiliation with the negro race. Let
Us, rs party, march steadily ON our accustom-
ed paths employing neither stealth nor secre-
cy; they arc unworthy of freedom, who are a.
fraid to defend it in open day.
Allow ME, in this connection. to add word,
also, in behalf of the Democratic press of Penn
sgivania. Always but too poorly rewarded,
now, when nearly all public patronage is in the
hands of the fanatics, and the expenses of print
ing greatly increased, it becomes the manifest
duty of every faithful Democrat to support and
strengthen his LEGAL paper, and 70 discriminate
in his patronage, if compelled to do So at all,
in favor of the Democratic press of Our own
, State There is a cupable carelessness IN this
respect, in many of our public men, which is
very proper subject of apprehension, as well as
of remembrance to those who suffer from it.
Under ordinary circumstances, fellow citizens
[ would deem the present duty OF my place full
Iy discharged in this hasty reference to the late
election, and the sequent suggestions which /
have ventuTed upon. And in what / further
undertake at this time, it is possible | may be
charged with travelling somewhat out of the
/ sphere of my appointment, and with entering
upon field of inquiry that is beyond its usual
limits. But as my purpose IS manly and up
right, and, may add, patriotic feel may
safely rely in these times, that the spirit of lib
/ erty will secure me at least yOtr indulgence.
On, or about the 1st day of September last,
! g., Il Of
! Columbia aud Luzerne counties, in this State,
were seized by military authority and hurried
with indecent haste, at the bayonet's point, IN
to the depths of distant and disused military
fortress as a place of confinement. One Of
them, in letter to his relatives, in simple words
that must touch every honest heart, thus de-
scribed their Imprisonment:
''Our treatment was inhuman. When first
taken and incarcerated in this cell, not a stool
or bench to rest our weary limbs on not cup,
or knife, or fork, or plate; and these few indis-
dispensable articles were purchased at exorbtant
prices, attended with vexatious delay. For
ty-four of us in one cell, without even separ-
ate place to attend to the calls of nature, it is
no wonder that one of our number was soon
laid in his last resting place, and many Others
Frustrated by disease"
-Four of their number have recently been
brought to trial before q nailtayy commission and
three of them sentenced to heavy fines and i'm
prisonment, upon charges clearly eognizable in
the Civil Courts Of the State and of the United
States. With the question of the guilt or in
noeence of these men, (and believe them truly
innocent Of any deliberate infraction of law,)
have in this place, nothing to do: II is The
startling fact that forty-four men, of good re.
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