Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-05-18
BY s. j. ROW
CLEARFIELD, PA, MAY l8, 1864.
The Right Doctrine.


Senator Doolittle of Wisconsin has recent
" delivered speech in the Senate which is
attracting some attention. The occasion
which called it forth was the offering OF
proposition, by Senator Wilkinson of Min
nesota, allowing negroes the right of suff-
rage in the new Territory of Montana. The
speech of the Wisconsin Senator did not
deal with the abstract question of the ne
gros right to vote in Montana or anywhere
else, but with the question whether, with the
issue of this bloody war yet undecided, it is
wise policy for the party IN power to insist
upon the adoption of measures of a political
character which cannot help to save the u
Mon and which viii have direct and posi-
tive tendency to still further divide the pub
lie sentiment of the North, which should, if
possible, be united in support of the govern
ment and in defense of the Union. Upon this
question Mr.. Deolittle assumed negative
position, holding that, until we have saved
the Union, all such minor and exclusively
political questions as that under consldera-
ton should be held in allegiance. Wequote
= portion of his argument
s'We have" says he, upon our hands
issues enough. The Single issue Of this
great war is enough. 1t is all the human
mind can grasp, and more than any yet have
been able to resolve. This gigantic strug-
gle is to determin whether Republican gov
ernment shall live OF die whether constl-
tutional form of government, resting upon
the people for its support, can be MAINTAIN
rhoth fhn
union of these States is to be continued or
broken whether We are to maintain our
own rights and liberties as free citizens of
this great Republic under the Constitution
of the United States, or succomb to rebel
lion, conspiracy, and military despotism.
From the course of events, from military
necessity in the prosecution OF this war, and,
as it seems to mel say it with reverence
by Providential dispensation- existence
Of Slavery has become involved in this con-
test, The prosecution Of this war to final
triumph on the United States will Of neces-
sity destroy Slavery within all those States
in rebellion against the Government. These
issues are large enough Gadbroad enough to
demand all oar time and all our energies, all
our means, Our l0hO7e might, mind and
strength to accomplish that great purpose
In Gods name let as first sare the
Union let as crush the rebellion let as gtUe
freedom to the negroes as q necessary result
ofthe prosecution Of th1s 10dr and secure ttby
constitutional amendment. But let US post
pone the discussion and action upon this and
all other issues, tollich can only tend to DIS
tract, divide and a1edkeu the energies Of the
loyal people IN this great struggle.
We endorse and approve the position of
Senator Doolittle This is not the time TO
go out of our way in search of issues which
can have no influence for good upon the So
luton of the war problem, and which viii
certainly vex and weaken the only true u
Mon party of the country. The one issue
the one steady purpose-of subduing the re-
belion, demands all the energies and all the
strength of the loyal masses. To suffer
ourselves to be diverted from that issue
when the nation is trembling on the brink
Of dissolution--to give Copperheads anoth-
er opportunity to appeal to well known
pref ejudice-is to our mind foolishness. What
IL to be gained by such policy? Suppose
few dozen men were allowed the right of
suffrage in Montana, and by the adoption of
that policy lose fifty thousand votes at the
elections next fall, where is the gain to the
cause of the Union