Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-07-13
Address of the Union State Central Com
mittee.


tional lfe-respon ling to calls for large re-
Inducements TO enable our armies success
fully to combat with traitors-cheerfully
meeting the payment of extraordinary taxa
ton to supply the government with money
to conduct the war. and submitting to an
immense increase In the prices OF Irving. the
people of Pennsylvania have nevertheless
been able for threesyGarS TO maintain pros
perity, and secure 4 healthy operation In al
the branches of their trade, unprecedented
in the annals of any country While engag-
ed in the prosecution of war. In the trials
of this bloody war, with the struggle Just
reaching Its climax, the people OF Pennsyi-
yania suddenly find themselves confronted
with question of the highest importance,
because traught with the most momentous
issues Ordinarily, heretofore, political con-
tests meant only choice of policy as TO the
manner of administering the government
The struggle of parties was for the posses
sion of the powers Of government, and mere
~ to control their operation. Now, howev-
er, our political contests have resolved them
selves into direct and positive issue for the
safety and the permanence OF the govern
ment because politically as well us section
ally, the contest at the ballet-bOx and IN the
battlefield must decide whether the Union
shall exist or perish with the triumph or de-
feat OF one or the other of the contendlng
parties. Hence the unwonted Importance
with which our political campaigns are now
invested. Parties are now divided or issues
which vitally concern the Government. They
are composed Of friends and enemies of that
Government. To choose between these par
ties equally interests the cause of loyalty and
that of treason. No man can stand neutral
between the two, and all who are not fairly
for the Government will be justly recogniz-
ed as its enemy. Admitting that such Is
the new importance assumed by our politi
cal contests, we have an excuse as well, as Z
justification for entering on the contest fast
approaching, for the amendments to the
Constitution, with all the zeal IN our nature,
and all the devotion that should character
ize the patriot and thsslOyer Of his country
in his effort TO serve 1t.
1t would seem that on an amedment TO
the Constitution granting the soldiers a right
! to vote, there should be no division. a
mong a free people, particularly, who are
| admitted always to be the most Intelligent,
| such a right should be SO well grounded IN
common and statute law, as TO need no ac-
! ton at this late day for its exercise and vim
dication- The soldier, in all lands, alike a
mong civilized and barbaric nations, has ev-
er been admitted to the highest honOrS con
| ferred by the government beneath whose
banners he fought. His valOT, his sacrifices
and his devotion, have ever been regarded
as themes for the poet, subjects for the pain
| ter, and material for the historian and thus
the calling of arms became one Of honor
one which elected the noble riyaries of COM
| patriots, and where civilization refined the
| instincts and elevated the character Of men,
war has been so conducted as to force COM
| batants to respect and honor each other 5
| qualities victor still 10 treat the van
| quished as a MAN The Constitution and
| laws expressly declare, that no man shall be
| deprived of his citizenship, except for the
! high crimes of which he shall be charged and
proven guilty He must be summoned to
meet such charge of criminality IN the
| presence Of Judges whose Oaths bind them
| to do hiln entire justice. be must be en-
sured trial by i jury sworn impartialiy to
consider his case IF found guilty, the SEN
tence Of his judges may result IN has dlstran-
| chisement-but sfranchisement is not aim
/ ed at as a result OF his punishment. Dis
| franchisment as a direct punishment Is only
made to follow the highest crime known a.
| gainst the State. Yet III the face of these
! facts, and in opposition to all equity. there
are those in the State who insist that dis
| franchisment should follow the higher ser
| vices which 4 man can perform tor his Gov
! ernment There IS a strong party to day IN
! Pennsylvania, regularly organized, control
| led by able leaders and sustained by astute
and learned advocates, insisting that the
| service Of 4 citizen rs Il soldier-the peril
| ling of life and limb in the support Of the
| Government, the giving up of domestic en-
| dearments, the sacrifice of business interests,
| and the yielding of all personal comforts, for
! felt for those thus engaged all pOItl-
| cal right every franchise Of free-born or
constitutionaly adopted American citizen.
| The monstrOus iniqity of such claim Is at
once apparent, however 1t has been IN; in
tanned by our highest judicial tribunals.
| Its justice can only be maintained by sOph-
istries founded in the worst political preiu-
dices, so that the sooner the Constitution
and laws are made plain and rendered eXpli-
cit ON this subject, and posted where every
man can read and understand them, just so
soon do we secure the strength and majesty
of the Government in the confidence and re-
| spect of the governed-just so soon do We
make our good Old State worthy of the past
valor OF her sons, and glorious In the future.
American citizenship has its virtues, and
these their merits Each virtue can only be
exalted by serving the Government under
which they flourish but if that service is
made q badge of degradation, viii it not be
more natural for men of honor and spirit
and true courage to resist its rendition than
| voluntarily 70 accept Its duties The cltl-
zen soldier feels when he takes up arms it
is to defend, not destroy, his political rights.
| The man who sacrifices his business inter-
ests, and for stipulated time, surrenders
his personal liberty, cannot understand why
he should be deprived of his political rights.
The service of arms does not blunt the .judg-
ment or blur the ability of citizen to exer-
else the elective franchise. 1t rather gives
him q new title to the enjoyment Of such a