Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-09-28
WHERE MR.. BIGLER STANDS.

HIM NH. BlGLhh S1ANOP.
The best index to Mr.. Bigler views on
the War question, is perhaps his speech
made at the sorcalled peace meeting IN
Clearfeld borough on the 18th Of August,
1864. On that occasion he denounced Mr.
Lincoln as a 'usurper and tyrant, and
the policy which had been inaugurated rel
ative to the institution OF slavery IN the re-
volted States as unlawful, revolutionary,
and impolitic" He denied that the Presl-
dent had any more right to make the d6dn-
donD,ent Of slavery condition precedent to
the restoration of the Union, than he had
to make its establishment such condition;
and characterized the condition as IAN
attempt at a fagrant usurpation of authors
ty" neriting the 'tseverest exeerations of all
men devoted to our republican form OF Gov
crnmenmt. He denied that the Govern
ments at Richmond and Washington com-
bined-(the Rebel, it will be observed, be
ing given the precedence in this connecticut
had no right to overthrow the institutions
of the States, or change the relations be
tween the States That was the right OF
the States and the States only.
The doctrine here advocated is simply that
which prevailed in the latter part of Mr.. Bu-
chanan's Administration, when State after
State was permitted to secede because 1t was
contended they could not be 'coerced' with
out gross Infringement of their reserved
rights Mr. Bigler, it must be manifest to
every rejecting II an, is Joined to his idols.
He still clings to the dangerous dogmas ori-
ginated by John c. Calhoun, and kept alive
and put into practice by jeff Davis, Breck-
tnridge, Floyd, Toombs and the whole brood
of leading traitors who are now in arms a
gainst the National Government, or we are
at loss to know what his language Is in
tended to imply.
Another portion Of Mr.. Biglers speech,
worthy of consideration now that he is a
candidate for Congress, is that which re-
lates to the draft. He said she had uni
formly advised obedience to law, even though
the law might be OF doubtful authority or
utility; but he intended that obligation as
much for those IN as for those out Of author
LII Inc tAtCuOIci VI tDG law IitC L iCot-
dent can claim our obedience, but whenever
he transcends the limits of the law, Mr. b.
said he had as much right to command the
President as the latter had to command
him. What does this mean? Are we to
understand that Mr. Bigler charges the Pre-
sident with 'transcending the limits Of the
law when he orders and enforces the draft
And, if this be his premise, what construc-
ton are we to put on his declaration about
his right to commend the PRESIDENT Is
not the inference fair that he means by this
language that he has the right to dtsobey the
President, or in other words, to advise re-
sistance to the draft? If not, why did Mr.
Bigler deem it necessary to add in this con-
nection that some may think these views
calculated TO discourage enlistments, and
contend that Mr.. Lincoln was eminently
amenable TO the law on this charge?' Why
did he not urge the prompt filling up of eur
armies? Why did he contend that he could
see In the new aspect Of the war moth
ing but endless drafts, conscriptions, car
''nage and desolation?'' Why did he say
that as for himself, whilst he was willing
ito do and suffer anything for the Union
and Government as made by the Fathers,
. he 'rOaid not contribute one man, aoi one
''Jarthiag, to prosecute the ,car for the m
"ta'cfm purposes set forth by IL. LincoLaF
Why did he express the belief that the
very first effort Of Democratic President
would be to stop the war-to put the sword
to rest, in order to try what virtue there
: is in reason, negotiation, and intereourse?' 2
Can his organ, the Clearfeld Republican,
from which we make these quotations, give
"A satisfactory explanation? The people of
the 10Th Congressional District have a
right to know exactly where Mr.. Bigler
does stand, if the differences which we have
drawn from his speech of the 18th August
are not correct. We shall wait for response.
Grant and Sherman ON the Draft.