The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-09-15


not able to maintain the supremacy of th
Constitution and the laws. 1t will b.
long before the blackness of the crimes
committed by that conspiracy will be OBJ
/ liberated
AS another example, take the reeen
conspiracy discovered in the Northwes
the banding together in secret of {
large number of men, the concentration
of thirty thousand stand of arms and q
large supply of ammunition. The papers
OF this conspiracy, which were seized, ev-
idence too clearly that their design was,
and is, the overthrow of the Republic,
trusting that division and anarchy would
shield them from harm, but in utter dis
regard of the concomitant wrongs to the
people-murder, robbery, arson-in a
word, desolation for the time.
Now, fellow-citizens, in both these ex-
amples, the moving spirits are prominent
men in the Opposition, and controlled the
nomination and platform at Chicago.
Yet it is to such peace as this that
our opponents invite you. They ask your
suffrages for man who either is pledged
to such peace, if elected, or who is de-
termined on war grander in scale and
bloodier in results than the world has yet
witnessed, there can be but two issues
out of the present difficulty. The intelli-
gent freemen Of Pennsylvania need not
to be led like children. They will not
fail to comprehend the nature of these
issues, and to choose between them. In
so choosing they choose for their children
and their children's children They can
do nothing of a public nature in these
pregnant times that shall not cause COM
ing generations either to revere or dis
pise them. The reelection of Mr. Lin
coin, and the election of Andrew John
son as his associate, will indicate to the
chiefs of the rebellion that the war for
Union and permanent peace must go on
until these ends shall be attained. 1t
will also signify to the nations of Europe
that the people of the whole United
States will, soon or late, become an united
people, and the Government remain, as it
has therefore been, a star of hope to all
the oppressed peoples of the civilized
world, and an everlasting monument to
the wisdom of the grand old heroes who
conceived it. If we could basely afford
to abandon the struggle now, the world,
could not afford the sacrifice
If zee could afford to bear the shame and
wear the shackles of defeat so cravenly
invited, our children could not stand
erect under the deathless reproach of our
behaviour. As men. as freemen, as pa
triots, we have no choice but to stand by
the Government as administered. The
alternative presented by our opponents is
and dishonor, which is national
death. If man recognizes the existence
of the principle of eternal justice he can
not despair of the Republic. They may
be some in whom the principle of hope
maintains but feeble existence, unless
stimulated by uninterrupted success
Such must be encouraged and sustained
by the example of the more hopeful and
enduring. They must 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
and bereavements, and bur-
dens of war may be, nay, are, terrible,
but the tempest which ravages forest and
field, destroying the increase of labor,
and even human life, is also terrible
Yet it is beneficent. With unvarying
calm the atmosphere would degenerate
into putridity, and the earth would re-
vive in endless night So war involves
nations in its fearful vortex that social
and political renovation may follow. As
a fire sweeping over the fields licks up
the chaf and stubble, yet affects not the
solid earth, so the fiery trial which we
are called upon to endure is consuming
the notorious crimes of society. The ma
ton will issue out of this struggle stron-
ger and purer than before. Wrong, such
as conlronts US, cannot drive right into
exile. Craft and villainly 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 a farce or failure. But these ca
lamities are not to come upon the Ameri-
can people, for the reason that the masses
are to remain true and steadfast in this
great effort to establish their liberties up
on a surer foundation than the anomalies
upon which they have hitherto rested.
The victory is to be won by unremit-
ting labor, and watchfulness 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, cannot
be overthrown by any combination possi-
BILE among their opponents. They may
seek to divide and distract, as they have
done, and they may partially succeed
But not if the people remain firm, calm,
and self-contained. United, we are in
vincible against any force that can be
brought against us. Divided, we should
invite defeat, and attach to ourselves the
name of having rejected the counsels Of
experience and enlightened reason.