Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-08-17

b., | have as much right to command him
rs he has to command me but disobedi-
euce TO law on his part is much graver OIL
fence than disobedence on the part ofapri-
yate citizen. Some may think these views
calculated to discourage enlistments but,
he said, Mr.. Lincoln was eminently amen
able TO the law on this charge, for he had
done more to discourage enlistments, oy
his unconstitutional ultima,um, than all
the Democrats in America. Besides, he
had not only done this, but he had en-
couraged enlistments in the South. lie
did, by this foolish and unlawful thing,
more for the cause Of the rebellion, Than
could jeff. Davis and all his Cabinet. lie
had given aid and comfort to the enemy.
Mr.. Bigler seid the communication ad,
dressed "To whom 1t may concern,
would come 10 tho rebel cause with heal
ing on its wings-it would act like pan
acea to all its ills-it, would allay home
dissensions and give new spirit TO the re-
bel!ion-it would silence the clamorlngs
for Peace and Union in North Carolina
Ii was a fatal stab to Mr.. Holder, the
Union candidate for Governor IN mat
State. But il was in accordance with Mr..
Lncoln's follies from the beginning. lie,
Mr.. Biger, had not stopped 10 discuss
tRS EaEm SRfa wds BE sISr sh9%d not though lis
plant; but he intended to deal with the
political policy that accompanied the
war which he characterized as the worst
the wit of man could have devised-that
through il Mr.. Lincoln had DIVIDED
United North and united divided South.
| Had he had wisdom enough and patriot
ism enough 30 have conducted the war
! for the Union, and not for the gratihca-
| ton of fanatics-to have looked to the
! Union men of the South for help, rather
dear TO their slaves, Peace and Union
might have triumphed long since. Mr.
! Is. said he could see in the new aspect of
! The war nothing but endless drafts, con
scrptions, carnage and common desola-
! tion. The Southern people will never
yield their right to their local institutions
/ Whether they want slavery or not they
will stand by the tight TO have it until the
/ last man has bitten the dust. Suppose
jeff. Davis was to make the ultimatum OF
ueace, the establishment OF slavery III the
/ North, how long would he be conquering
peace on such terms! There would be
no peac6 Democrat on such an issae.-
Though somo might desire the institution
ever they, would not accept it as dicta
ton. Mr.. Bigler said that, as for himself,
whilst h , was willing to do and suffer any
thing for the Union and Government as
made bv the Fathers, he would not con
tribute one man, nor one iarthing, to pros
ecute the war for the unlawful purpose:
set forth by Mr. Lincoln.
Mr.. Bigler next, in support OF his hao
opinion Of the acts and intentions of tht
President, called attention TO late com
munication, which appeared in the n. Y
TrJ,hc, over the signature OF i. F. Wade
Senator from Ohio, as Chairman of th'
committee en- the rebellious States in th'
Senate, and Winter Davis, as chairman o
the same committee in the House cf Rep
resentatves. On this point we can give
the reader no idea Of tho effect and powe
of Mr.. Biglcr's speech, 1t was the mos
{ heard in long tme. He showed by ex
/ tracts from the document itself, that Messr
, Wade ana Davis both Republicans o
high stand;ng,- charge Mr.. Lincoln will
deception, fasehood and usurpation an
in addition that they charge him with tn,
the electoral College through the schem,
of ten per cent vote in certain of the re
volted States, should that become necess
ary to secure his election-aDd ask th,
significant question whether ne suppose'
his opponent would submit TO q decision
attained by such means The vast crowd
responded to Mr., Rigler in common voice
that they would submit to no such usur.
patton
But we must pass over largo portion
of Mr. Bigler's speech, and glance only a
the conclusion.
He said he vas not willing after &c
much complaint against the acts and
policy of Mr.. Lincoln, TO take his seat
without some reference TO what the Dem
ocratic party would do, should it attain TO
power. lie said he did not undertake to
determine what would be the position oi
that party on all the complex questions be-
;, fore u.s. lie knew itwould stand up for civil
and religious freedom under all crcum.
stances-for the freedom Of the press and
of speech ;that it would WELD every moral
and political influence of the Government
and all its material power to maintain the
Union as constituted by the fathers; but
it prefers peace TO war among the people
aud States of America. And, whilst anx.
ious to WELD every means to restore the
Union Of States, it could not fail to see
that the experiment of war bad been
made, most thoroughly and horribly made
and that it has failed. The wisest thing
Mr.. Lincoln ever said, WIS, that If we went
to war; we could not fight always. Mr.
Bigler said he would pay the expenses oI
any one who would 60 to Washington and
read that passage of the Inaugural to Mr..
Lincoln. He feared it had been forgot
ten. The Democrats would not forget it,
should the Chicago nominee be elected.
lie expressed the belief that the very first
effort o! Democratic President would be
to stop the war-to put the sword to rest,
in order to try what virtue there is
in reason, negotiation, and intercourse,
lie expressed the belief that ten com.
petent men as Peace Commissioners
cosld do more TO rescue the country
| from Its Affections, than q hundred thou
sand, or FIVE hundred thousand conscripts,
lie had long since declared himself in