The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-07-01
OUR POSITION AID DUTY.

OOn FJSIIION AItU DUI L.
Onrpostion, as political organization shoul1
not be misunderstood by friend or foe. 1t Is
yet in The power OF the Democracy TO right the
ship OF State, save the country from utter ruin,
and re-esiabsh liberty on republican basis.
But to achieve this requires fiath in its possibil-
ity; energy to work for its accomplishment ;
and patience to wait for the fruit Faith with
out works, Is dead = and work without faith.
is weary toll. We are sorry to See some of
our true, and heretofore hopeful Democrats,
sink into inertia, and inlulge in dsspon,lency -
We do not much wonder at it for there are
dscouragements everywhere constitution
violated, country ruined, and people in tears
is enough TO touch the heart, and unnerve the
hands; but what shall we do! Sloth will not
save US, nor dependency bring safety. Besides,
''-- Tie darkest dan
Lire tW to-1l0rro1C aciA haye passed owU"
Let us remember that labor conquers all
things. The work is great, but the reward will
be gloriou, when it ia accomplished And al
though we were defeated last fall, we should
not be discouraged. That result was brought
about by fraud 1t will be our own fault if it
is repeated. Even our enemies do not boast o.
YER it. They are satisfied to enjoy the fruits
of their ill-gotten victory, without exultauon.
A Democratic host of 254, 900 men in a single
Stale, aud nearly two million in the North they
know we'll is not 70 be daspi1ed Aad the same
reason that ellis oHr opponents with dread. should
inspire our friends with hope an ACTIVITY We
stand to-day stronger in truth, stronger in right,
and stronger in the hearts of the people than
ever before. They cannot be blind TO passing
events they cannot be indifferent to the destruc-
-, .>FtI ~.
pied; their sons slaughtered by thousands They
may view all this in silence bat they cannb. see
it with satisfaction. A corrective must be
sought. The only hope pr3san:e is in change
of policy; and there is no hope of change of
policy except there be first change of admin
istraton. In this is an element of Democratic
strength. We may, therefore reasonably hone
for very material accesSioas from the opposition
ranks. And the acceSsions will be of the most
desirable kind, of conversative men, truly dis
gnsted with their former political associations
Here and there such men will adhere 10 our al
ready mighty host; AMI with this augmented
strength. victory is sure. Oar attitu e, then,
as party. is IN Ist imposing and commanding
We know that some fear-lnd they have rca-
son to fear from what has already been dome
that if corruption and fraud cannot carry tue
present corrupt and fraudulent party into pow-
cr again, that force will be called to their aiI.
This may be contingently true but not unless
the Democracy invite it. If we show a craven
heart or Indifference 10 the result we have moth
ing better 10 expect; for that thev have the dis
position 10 use force when necessary, the cleo
tions in Kentucky and Maryland abundantlv
prove But if we act like freemen, conscious
of our rights and determined to maintain them,
there Is not the slightest danger. Planting our
selves upon the Constitution and Laws, we
should boldly oppose, resent and repel by force,
if Necessary, the slightest interference with our
right. Let tvrants beware, should be the watch.
word from NJ ine to California In the Democrat
ic camps But it should not rest IN mere dec
laration. Actual preparation for active resis-
tIuce TO forcible interference should be prompt
ly and thoroughly made Resolutions will not
do; newspaper fulminatiCns will not do; but
complete organization, embracing every State
and r;inltying every town ship, will be etftc-
tive-Ihis organization should be political. not
military, but SO organized that military form
could be specify evolved If need should require
The time for the transition would be when
force should be used To prevent or control free
elections. When that time comes--;ind we SIM
cerely hope il may never coma-the Democrat
who would hesitate to repsl force, and maintain
his rights even at the point of the sword, Is an
arrant coward and deserves to be q slave. We
DO not believe it will ever he necessary TO 90 the
extreme length of phvsical resistance, but the
very best way to avoid il is TO be prepared for
it. We feel morally certain that in So doing is
our best security. Ii we assert our rights and
our manhood with manly courage they will not
be violated, and there will be no occasion for
exertion of our power but if we trust to the vir-
tue OF forbeaTance of our enemies, we ha, nothing
to hope.
Let us, then, organize at once. Let there
be roll in every school district, on which ev-
cry Democratic name shall be inscribed. Let
us 20 to work in earnest. This is our country
still.-It is for US and our children, and woe to
the craven that viii surrender it to the despoiler
while hope remains. We should say to Mr.
Lincoln-and say in zones that could not be
mistaken-''We will obey every legal obliga-
tion; but touch not our chartered hberties-
When authorized by the Constitution you may
command, and we will obey you like children,
but 90 beyond it, and weresist you to death."-
Tie Heator.
Moral Degeneracy of the Republic.
We may well exclaim with the prophet, as
we look around us to-day SsTruth IS fallen IN