Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-08-10
~TITp TryTrNG NEXT SATURDAY.

HENRY ". FAKNf., Oh SIe"Ihciu'
TIE MEETING NEXT SATURDAY.
The Mass County Convention appointed
for this place on next Saturday VIII, "e
trust, 10 participated in by every citizen
n the county who is willing to unite his
energies, his talents, and his means in all
Iecsl and constitutional efforts 10 save our
beloved country and cherished institu-
ions from the Execu live usurpations now
threatened. AS long as the war vas pros
ecuted for The avowed purpose OF "enior'
c;pa ooe dience to the laws and "restor-
NO the Union" there was either universal
.,o.operation with, or silent acquiescence
VI, tho efforts and demands OF the Admin
istraton. This may be said even OF many
who honestly believed that the attempt
on the part Of the General Government 70
toerce sovereign State, was no less revo-
Iutionary and subversve of the Constitu-
tioa, than was the act Of secession Itself.
get this class Of men silently acquiesced
in every right and wrong measure OF the
Government for the suppression OF The
vebeiiion on-contributin literally and un-
oomplainiugly of their means to defray the
expense thus incurred. They did this,
feeling at the same time that "the Union
could not possibly DO restored" in this
manner, and that defeat, disaster, and
ultimate failure must be the final result
From the very beginning large class
Of men felt and believed that something else
than tho preservation Of the Union was
the object of those at the head Of affairs.
The overthrow OF the institution Of slavery
was charged as that object, acknowledged
by some, but denied by the Admipistra'
zion. The Union must be preserved at all
hazards, said the Administrationists, and
if slavery was found to be in the way
then slavery, too, must full. This was also
acouiesced in. No Democrat had any at
tachment for the institution Of slavery
and cared net whether il lived or died, sc
that the Union lived. But events were
net long in demonstrating that the "pecu
liar institution" was not in the way o
settlement, except in so far as il
afforded pretert for continuing and pro
longing the war.
Now Mr.. Lincoln throws of all disguise
comes out in his true colors, and toldlJ
declares that there can be no steps takel
for settlement and peace that are not pre-
sedsd by On abandonment Of slavery
thus verifying to the very letter the allie
cation of many Democrats that the rcd
purpose of the war was for the overthrow
Of slavery. and not for the preservation o
the Union.
Us accomplish tho purpose avowed b.
whom IL may conccrn," would be toia
subyersion of tho rights Of the States, q
guaranteed in the compact of Union, ant
an undisguised usurration of Executiy
power. This would be no less revolution
ary--no loss in con travention of the Coz
stitutiou-than was the act OF secession.
In this condition Of affairs, what are tn
duties, tho rights, and the obligations c
the citizens They mus. be obedient
law. This is their obligation. But il
their duty TO see thai oil crs-and espt
cially their rulers -are also obedient [
law and If those rulers fail TO perforr
their duty, or attempt 10 usurp powers nc
granted to them, il Ia not only The righ
Su. it is clearly the duty Of the citizens t
interfere by oil lawful means. II is nc
for us 10 anticipate what the action Of til
meeling on next Saturday shall be. Thi
ia sos the people to determine when the
assemble together, But we may say, tn,
their right to meet together and petite
their rulers Tor change Of policy, or |
romoaStrato and protest against their pre-
ent policy and measures, is a natut
,ight-a right which it would be yer
danger GUS for Mr.. Lincoln to attempt
deprive them Of
Mr.. Lincoln's uhimdtum being revol
tionary, he has no right TO ask the peop
to aid him in its accomplishment; II
are the people bound to respond to b
calls for any such purpose yea, The
would be recreant to their duty as citzeI
TO aid in any such work Of usurpation ar
wrong. Mr.. Lincoln has been furnishe
with over tOo ri''iqr men, and countle
millions Of dollars, and the rebellion
more formidable today than il ever vi
before. Toe people ars aware that r
2eated efforts 10 negotiate have bee
1ads BY the rebel authorities, and
.hen declined and now, in the fouri
gear Of NE struggle, and after all this To-