Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-03-09

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WEDNESDAY MomINo, MARCH 9th.
Why not Embrace the Opportunity
By the last adyioas from Europe we are
informed that Macmillan is just nov
about visiting the principal Courts of Eu-
rope taking his leave Of them, preparato-
ry to his cmbarkation for Mexico, where
he is to set up the new monarchy. This
will be an open and palpable violation OF
American (called the MOnroe) doctrine,
that no Monarchcal Government shall be
established upon this continent, Had it
not been for our present civil war; neither
France, nor any other Power of Europe
would have presumed to violate this prin-
ciplc so well settled in the American sys-
tenn. But the present Emperor Of France
saw his opportunity, and did not fail to
embrace it, and our Government, so far as
is known, has not even had the courage to
make formal protest against it.
Had we other men, with a different
policy, at the head Of our National affairs,
our situation would not be so humiliating.
Even now, at the eleventh. hour, if our
rulers could be induced to abandon their
Rnatical dogmas of negro equality and de-
vote single thought to the honor oitheiF
country and the welfare of the millions Of
people whose liberties they are destin-
ed to destroy, this very attempt on
the part of the French Emperor to eS-
tablish a monarchy in Mexico would be
seized upon as the means of restoring
peace, amity, and ultimately concord and
Union between the now "disseveTed and
belligerent States"
Let little common sense enter into
our National Councils; let the announce
ment be made to the armies Of the South,
if not to the authorities, that the Admin
istration at Washington had resolved to
adhere to the Monroe doctrine that no
branch of European monarchy shall pol
Lutte the Mexican soil that we were viii
ling our present quarrel should be sus-
pended until Mexico was again disenshral-
led, and Immediately the legions OF Lee,
Longstreet and johnson would take up
the inspiration and fly to the rescue ofthe
halls of the Montezu mas with an ardor no
less conspicuous than that with which ma
ny Of them assisted in their conquest Of Is
48. And il is not at all improbable that the
Richmond authorities would most gladly
embrace such an opportunity. Whatever
feeling of friendship at first existed to-
wards France, has now almost totally van
ished. The long delayed recognition of the
Confederacy by France has completely
dissipated that friendship which might
otherwise have existed and therefore, in
the hope of escaping from the terrible
horrors that the continuance of the pres
ent war must entail upon their country,
there is but little doubt that JEFF. Davis
and his followers would gladly embrace
kuCh an opportunity.
And how noble the purpose of such q
war All there would be both honor
and glory in such a struggle. No heart.
less conscription laws no blood-money
in the shape of big bounties would be re-
quired to fill theranks. The strife would
not be who could stay at home-bnt who
could have the high honor of joining the
mighty host?
But would all this Put an end to our
present war? WoalG not " the same old
fight" have to be renewed afterwards p
We say NO. Let the contending heroes of
the hundreds of battles from Big Bethel to
that Of Olustee, once meet shoulder to
shoulder against a common foe in a holy
cause, and no acts or intrigues Of design
ing men will ever again induce them to
shed each others blood. 1t is highway
to peace and ultimate Union Will our
rulers spurn the opportunity e? 1t is not
too late. If there is a will, there is a way,
WHAT Is a VOLUNTEER? ?"-The draft
is not to take place until the first of April,
at least, and perhaps not then. This post
ponement is induced, as Secretary Stan
ton informs us, in the hope and belief that
the requisite number of troops can be
more expedtiously raised by the offering
of fliberal bounties to volunteers, the
people preferring that method of raising
troops"
What constitutes q volunteer? Accor-
ding to Webster, volunteer is "A person
who enters into military or other service
of his own free will. In military affairs,
volunteers enter into the service rohlntari.
b." The adverb roh,ntarily," the same
author defines Spontaneously; of ones
own will: without being moved, inhuenc-
ed, or impelled, by others"