Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-12-28

radical measures can ever relieve it after
having forced into operation financial
system. which is but the mask of ruin in
that regard; after so mis-managing the
unfortunate cival war now upon their
hands, as TO leave scarcely hope of saw
ing the Union-it is but right that the
Abolltionists, and their instrument, Abra-
ham Lincoln, should remain in a posi-
tion to feel the first fruit OF their own
wickedness and folly, and meet the cur
ses and condemnation of au outraged
and suffering people, when the impend-
ing clouds shall mature into storm and
darkness.
Our plain duty, fellow citizens both as
party and as patriots, is to maintain our
noble organization in all its power and ac-
tivity. 1t now comprises upwards of two
hundred and seventy-six thousand free
men-the bone, sinew and brains of the
Commonwealth. Every hope Of an ulti-
mate reunion Of the States, and of res
torine the Government ard laws to their
original purity and vigor, lies in the pro-
gress and ultimate triumph of the Dem
ocracy. We must continle to act as the
senLnels Of freedom, ant vindicato our
time-honored principles before tho peo-
pie. Instead of disbandiig our clubs and
associations, let US increae their number
and inspirit their action. Hold, at least
monthly meetings. CATER if possible,
and organize Democratic association in
every school district, and boldly canvass
on all proper occasions, te measures of
our corrupt and imbecile ulers. Expose
the secret leagues and bnditt-like gath
erlngs of our opponent; and hold up
to merited scorn those tho, in midnight
assemblies, ard under kindred darkness
consp:re to rob and ruinour country, and
at the same time to deirade our people
by plotting and afIiiati IN with The negro
race. Let US, as a party march steadily
on our accustomed path, employing neilh-
er stealth nor secrecy. they are unwor-
/ thy OF freemeD, who ar afraid to defend
! it in open day.
Allow me, in this connection to add
word, also, in behalff the Democratic
! press of Pennsylvania Always but too
, poorly rewarded, nov, when nearly all
public patronage is in.he hand of the "a
natics, aud the expenes oGprintng great
! ly Increased, it becomes the manifest du-
ty of every faithful democrat to support
and strengthen his ocal paper, and to
| ulsC' 'i'.-i.,~'" - h;~ r,t~o~aua if romneu
ed to do so at all, in hyor of the Demo
cratic press of our owl State. There is a
culpable carelessnessin this respect, in
many OF our public mn, which is o very
l,proper subject of repehension, as we'll as
itiJf remembrance to tbse who suffer from
it.
Under ordinary circumstances, fellow
ci,zens,I would dem the present duty |
of my place fully disharged in this hasty
reference 10 the lalelection, and the Sc
quent suggestions wich have ventured |
upon. And in whah further undertake
at this time, ii is pNible may be charg-
ell with travelling smewhat out of the
sphere of my appointment, and with en-
torinc upon field inquiry that is be-
yond its usual limit; But as my purpose
is manly and uprigh and, | may add, pa
triotic--I feel masafely rely in these
times, that the spir OF liberty will secure
me at least your indlgence'
On, or about thest day of September
last, forty four subantial and reputable
citizens Of Columb and Luzerne coun-
ties. in this State, ere seized by military
authority and hurr d with indecent haste
at The bayonets pot, into the depths OF
distant and disuld mi itNry fortress, rs
place Of continebnt. One Of thsm in
letter TO his relaves, in simple words
that must touch cry honest heart, thus
describes their i'm lisonment:
"Our treatmentas inlNman. When
first taken and irhrcerated in this cell,
not q stool or btch to rest our weary
limbs on not cp, or knife, or FORK, or
plate and these w dispensable Q articles
were purchased d exhorbitant prices, at
tended with vexsous delay. Forty-four
of us in one cell githout even separate
place to attend tthe calls of nature, it is
no wonder thatne otour number was
soon laid in hislast resting place, and
many others prtrated by disease"
Four of thernumbcr havo recently
been brought tcri,l before military COM
mission, and thp of them sente need to
heavy fines ai Imprisonment, upon
charges coarl cognizab!e in the Civil
Courts of The ate and of the United
States, With he question of the guilt
or innocence dhese men, land believe
them truly inicent of any deliberate in
fraction of Law | have in this place, moth
ing to do: ls the startling fact that
forty-fo me of good repute in their
respective nehborhoods, some Of whom
had held plac of high public trust and
honor, shoulb seized by soldiery, in the
heart of thpeaceful and loyal State,
dragged of ttnoisome military dungeon, s
and there Ike for months, without being l
confronted tan accuser; one of them in '
tho meantiu dying, as is believed, from {
suffering thi; another becoming blind {
from his colnement, while most of the
Others still ntinue shut up in Fort Milf
Ain-a dap, island fort, constructed i
more with iiew Of resisting bomtard-
ment tharpnything elsel A brave old
name desrated; fortress associated {
with manToud recollections and mem |
ories of o,Iforefathers' struggle for free
dom. turn into Bastile for the uses OF '
modern fanny II
This is ali, nor in my view the worst q
of tho oas.if it is to be established as a i
precedent, These men are icing drawn
out, one lone, 10 be tried before q tribu-
nal unknn to the Constitution--calied
n Co,irt Jt;uL. in which they are denied 9