The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-10-05

and the election Of Andrew johnson as
his associate, will indicate to the chiefs
Of the rebellion that the war for Union
and permanent peace must so on until
these ends shall be attained It will also
signify to the nations of Europe that the
people of the whole United States will.
soon or late, become a united people. and
the Government remain, rs it has here.
tofere been, star Of hope to all the op-
pressed people of the civilized world, and
an everlasting monument to the wisdom
of the grand old heroes who achieved it..
If we could basely afford to abandon the
struggle now, the world, mankind, could
not afford the sacrifice. If aCe could af-
ford to bear the shame, and wear the
shacllles of defeat so craftily invited, our
children could not stand erect under the
deathless reproach of our behaviour As
men, as freemem, as patriots, we have 20
choice but to stand by She Government
as administered. The alternative pre-.
sented by our opponents is disunion and
dlshonor, which is national death. If q
man recognizes the existence Of the prin.
ciple Of eternal justice he cannot despair
Of the Republic, There may be some in
whom the principle of hope maintains but
a feeble existence, unless stimulated by
uninterrupted success. Such mast be
encouraged and sustained by the example
of the more hopeful and enduring. They
mnst be assured Of what the philosophy
of history and of events teaches, that
danger lies IN turning back, as security
lies in pressing forward. The desolations.
and bereavements, and burdens of war
may be, nay, arc. terrible, but the tenn
pest which ravages forest and field, des-
troying the increase of labor, and human
life, is also terrible. Yet it is benefoent.
With unvarying calm the atmosphere
would degenerate into putridity and the
earth would revolve in endless night. So
war involves nations in its fearful vortex
that social and political renovation may
follow. AS fire sweeping over the fields
licks up tho chaF and stubble, yet affects
not the solid earth, so the fiery trial which
we are called upon to endure is ccnsum.
ing the notorious crimes of society. The
nation viii issue out of this struggle
stronger and purer than before Wrong,
such as confrouts us, cannot drive right
into exile. Graft and viliainy are not to
be the subjugators Of wisdom and virtue.
And whatever crimes may have been, or
may yet be, perpetrated in the name of
civilization, it is not now to be proved
either farce or failure Bat these
calamities are not to come upon the Amer
ican people for the reason that the mass.
es are to remain true and stedfast in this
great effort to establish their liberties upon
surer foundation than the oromalies up
on which they have hitherto rested.
The victory Is to be won by unremit-
ting labor, and watcbfulness that shall
be proof against the surprises planned by
traitors at home or abroad. We are to
look for no fortuitous happenings, no mi
raculous interpositions. The friends of
the Government, working together, can
not be overthrown by any combination,
possible among their opponents They
NAV seek to divide and distract, as they
have done, and they may partially sue
deed. But not ifthc people remain fsm,
calm, and self-contained, United, we are
invincible against any force that can be
brought against US. Divided, we should
Invite defeat, and attach to ourselves the
name of having rejected the counscls of
and enlightened reason. Our
victorious armies are bravely doing their
duty in the field
What is required of the loyal men of
Pennsylvania, is great victory at the
polls in October and November. 1t is !
not only essential that the Federal Gov
ernmont and the poricy inaugurated to
crush rebellion should be endorsed by the
reelection Of Abraham Lincoln; but at
the coming contest in October, it is i'm
portant that in the election Of Congress
men and members of Legislature, as many
districts as possible should be carried by
the loyal candidates now in and to be put
into the field. We want the moral eacct
Of overwhelming majorities as well as the
prestige derived from military power and /
force. We expect to close TIE var as
much by the influence cf the ballot as the
bullet. We hope to stop the efusion of,
blood by the unmistakabIe demonstration
1T the polls that the war is to be waged |
till the rebellion Is ended, and that hos
tilities will ret cease while there i2 an |
armed traitor il the field. Such a cessa-
ton of hostilities cannot be obtained by
or negotiation. It must be !
achieved by the stern influence of force
by the unmistakable, clear, and we'll
defined proofs of the ability of the Gov
srnment to cope with and conquer all Or
any of its foes.