Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-07-20
Letter from Philipsburg, Pa.

| DEAR Journal Excitement ran high,
in our town, during the past week. The
snaiks had glorious time of it for the first
! day or two, but there came calm over the
| spirit of their dreams, and before the week
closed, they became as torpid as an alligator.
If any one ever doubted, that there were
| disunion men In this locality, his doubts
We're removed by the manifestations OF JOY,
! that were expressed by the snaiks of this
nest, when the Dews reached us on Tuesday
| last, that the rebels had attacked, and car
ried the outer Notifications of Washington.
joy, inexpressible, was faithfully depicted
on their venomous, disunion, traitorous
countenances. One snalk, of sandy Eue,
| came rushing down street, his nineteen
yards of linen, flowing to the breeze, afford
| ing ample space for Il game of baseball
shouting, glorious news, the rebels, Is, 900
strong, have carried the outer fortifcations
of Lincoln's den, hip hurrah'' and away
he sped. y Union man coming down be-
hind him, says to man on the opposite side
of the street, things are looking bad,
Washington is in danger" The reply made
him, was, let them take it, the sooner the
better, that will end the war. Other
snalks wearing extensive appendages of
nankeen, met where snaiks most do con-
gregate' and talked jubilant over the news,
planned out what the rebels would do, and
what glorious campaign document the
sacking Of Washington would be. Such
are a few, and very few of the expressions,
and scenes among our snalks, on the receipt
OF the news of the late rebel raid. And yet
these very men will contend that they are
true to the Constitution, and loyal, law abb
ding citizens. If it is test of loyalty,
when man glories in the downfall of the
al e .,,1 tbott tha,.
is danger that an army of rebels may enter
it and burn it then these snaiks are true
to the Constitution, and loyal, law abiding
citizens, of the first mud hole.
How is 1T, that certain men snarl hiss,
wriggle, and foam when the term copper
head is used, even in conversation? Only
q few days ago, | was enjoying familiar
chat with friend, and during the CONVEX
sation, the subject of war was mentioned
From that we got on to the cOpperhead par
ty. [ had not the most remote idea, that
my friend was of that species of reptile
but at the mention Of the term copperhead,
| noticed frown glide over his hitherto
placid countenance and soon he gave vent
to his venom Said he, Il am no copper
head, am democrat, and | am in favor of
restoring the Union as it was. well
sir, L replied, who said you was cop
perhead. l know you are democrat or
that you belonged to that party, when such
party existed but my dear sir do you
not know, that four years ago, at Charles
ton, S. c., the once great democratic par
tee was rent in twain, and one wing, head
ed by JEFF. Davis, is to-day in rebellion
against the Union; the other wing, called
the war democracy, are in deadly opposition
to the jeff Davis party, and nobly battling
for the unconditional restoration OF the u
MON. But tell me why you get so excited,
when | say that the copperhead party is of
the jeff. Davis persuasion? You say you
are loyal, and in favor of the restoration of
the Union as it was. So am /, if we can
do no better; but if you call me copper
head or speak of the snaiky tribe, it does
not irritate me, and raise my dutch as it
seems to do yours" Said my friend, ''you
abolitionists call all men that were formerly
known as democrats, ,copperhead. y well,
said |, ''you may call me whatever suits
your fancy, but you are in error when you
say call all democrats copperheads. | can
point you out men in this town, who always |
and voted the democratic ticket,
and to-day they are true to their colors, and