Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-08-31


be elected In Mr.. Lincoln reelection
they see only subjugation, annihiation, for
the war must then continue and continu-
ance Is their failure and ruin.
In military affairs it is an excellent rule
never to do what the enemy desireS-is it
not equally true in politics? Certain it is
that the oalg remaining hope Of the South
lies ta 4iir. LincOiR' s defeat.
Now, am not enough of politician TO
know whether the election OF Democrat
can result as favOrably to the South As it an
ticipatcs. The wish alone may be the pa
rent of their belief. But | assured all who
expressed that belief that the North, as
mass, Is as united as the South-that no
Democrat could be elected on peace plat
form-and that any President who would
Inaugurate any measure leading to peace on
the basis of Southern independence, would
be promptly hung, by loyal acclamation, to
the lamp posts in front OF his own Presiden-
tial mansion.
However that may be, if we are but true
ourselves there can be but one result. What
'ce n0to need IS nteIt-oniy men-nUt substl-
tutes or hirellngs who go forth for any mo-
tive Ut the country good, and produce
but little beyond depreciating our armies
but MEN-such rs really constitute the State,
and boast Of being freemen and the sons Of
freenen. If these fail tol support their
country cause in her hour Of peril, they
are unworthy Of continuing tTecmen, and
should blush ever to exercise a freeman :
privileges.
But II bounties must be paid let it be in
Southern land, not III Northern gold and
armies OF emigrantS. whose sons may aspire
to even the lule OF the nation. viii cross the
seas to win the broad acres that disiUyalty
has forfeited to the State
Toeyery Intelligent soldier who has f. ught
through all these indecisive campaigns on
almost numberless indecisive fields, the
question constantly arises, with touching
1orce, why We do not oyerwhelm our enc
mics?
Tens of thousands of lives are lost be-
cause our array Of strength Is 50 dispropor-
tiOnably less than that against which we bat
tie Everywhere We meet on nearly equal
terms, where We might well have four to
one. The cost to us in blood and treasure,
OF 4 prolonged war, can hardly be toIeseen
the economy is infinite OF such an effort
as the glorious North should put 70 tn.
The south Will fight as long as the Strug
gle Is equal It 1cW sujBttt to such prepon-
derance as we should show in every field.
Glance at the summers 5 campaign If
Sherman had but 1000 more men near,
the South would be lost, because Hood
ould be annihilated Ii Meade had NOV
ed IN the splIng with reserves of ZOO To
100, 900 men, Lee would have been hope
lessly crushed. Even at this moment
third column Of 40, 600 to 900 rightly
moved, would give unoppo5ed blows to the
C0niederacy from which she could never
rise.
What folly then to struggle on in this
way, when we can send to the field five times
IL
think we cannot conquer the South. Be
hind the james only boys and old men are
TO be seen, while here men buy and sell as
i'll the olden days Of quiet, and regiments
Of able bodied citizens crowd the streets OF
our cities.
There Is but one course consistent with
safety or honor. Let the people awake to
a sense OF their dignity and strength, and
few months OF comparatively trIfimg exer-
tion Of such effort as alone is worthy of the
great work, and the rebellion viii crumble
before US. Fiji this draft promptly and
willingly, with good aud true men, send
few spare thousands over rather than under
the call, and the summer sun Of 1860 viii
shine upon regenerated land.
There are some who speak of peace OF
all Yankees the SOutherners most scorn are
those who do not fight, but are glad enough
W CiIit W w LI4Hi oe1N "
perform their dirty work. Peace for the
South will be sweet indeed for us, except
through Southern subjugation, but anarchy
and war forever The Pacific, the Western,
the Eastern States would at once fall asun-
der. The South would be dominant, and
the people of the North would deserve to be
driven a-field, under negro overseers, TO hoe
corn and cotton for Southern masters.
But no faint hearted or short-sighted pol
icy can set aside the eternal decree Of the
Almighty, who has planted no lines of dis
union between the Atlantic and the West
ern deserts-between the great lakes and
the Gulf of Mexico-that signify his will
that we should be separated; and unless SO
separated peace is a deluSion, and its advo-
cacy treason against the wisest and hottest
interests OF our country.
1t has been with trust that renewed hope
and vigor might be given, when vigor and
hope are needful, that [ have written, and
you have my consent to using this as you
please; and [ am Very truly yours,
I. SEYMOUR.
Brigadier General L. ). Volunteers.
To W. f. DODGE, Jr, Esq, New York