Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-10-12
Aaftsman'a 5aurnal.
CLEARFIELD, PA, OCT. II, 1864.
VAGARIEs OF PEACE DEMOCRATS.

VIM tchIihudllS liOuClCi ihdt lhCN
served God as if the devil were in them
Perhaps similar remark might not be inap-
pilcable TO our present peace Democracy.
Not only have its members been noted afore
time for a truculent disposition when the oc-
casion afforded to sufficient reason-bullying
foreign States and assaulting weaker ones
but even at the present time they are nei-
| ther lamb-like nor amiable towards their own
countryInen. They mutter threats of forci-
bic resistance to election results, if the ma
jority should go against them, and even men,
ace Mr. Lincoln life if the peoples choice
should fall on him.
In fact, these men Of peace are extremely
belligerent towards all but traitors. To 10y
al men these pacihcators present a face Of
flint, aud are savage, unreentlng, vitupera-
tive. They have no word of approval for
patriotic services, however great no chari-
table consideration for our rulers, struggling
against mighty conspiracy; scarcely word
Of cheer for gallant soldiers fighting for the
nation 5 existence. No; to secure their ap-
probation men must go over to the traitor
Gus enemy, as so many Of these same peace
Democrats have already DONE and fight a
gainst the noble republic which nurtured
them. Then these sucking doves can yield
fair words and many apologies for every deed
of violence, perfdy or murder, which in 9TH
er men would be stamped as hideous and in
defensible. Provided men are only traitors
then are they transformed to chivalrous gen.
tlemen. They may fire canister shot on
drowning Sailors as in the White river may
t fh99t Or staTSSer dafeBfeelf prisoners, as at
combatants fleeing from their burning dwell
lings, as at Lawrence; or put to death sur
rendered garrison, as at Fort Pillow. Few
and gentle are the comments Of peace Dem
ocrats on enormities ike these; though for
slight excuses on the part Of loyal troops,
jjustifable, perhaps, under irritating clrcum-
stances, or else unavoidable as the fiery char
lot of war sweeps forward amid smoke and
confusion, our gentle e-hearted friends of re-
bellion are overwhelmed with indignation,
and unpack their hearts 18th words Of bit
terest inyective.
In the eyes of peace Democrat all things
are beneticent or wise if performed by tral
tors. Not only may these do cruel acts, and
have them justified By our lenient censors,
but they may perform stupid or foolish deeds,
and have them deemed patterns of states
manship. Their currency may go down to
five cents on dollar, and still their sylnpa-
thizing friends avert their looks and aver in
counterpoise that Union loans are not at par
in gold The little molehill of demerit or
deficiency looms up to Himalayan altitude,
when loyalty is arraigned for trial, but per-
jury, reputation and bankruptcy are things
diminutive and invisible if only imputable
to southern rebels Their crimes, their
boastings and their ridiculous failures, are
lightly touched on by their peaceful allies
here. They descant ominously and prophet
ically on our long delays in taking Richmond,
but utter no words of marvel that their south
ern friends have never entered Philadelphia
nor Boston.
They only wish we would forget the names
of New Orleans. Vicksburg and Port Hud
son Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta. and
hundred other strongholds wrested from
rebellion They search the map in vain to
see the foothold ON our soil which traitors
were to make, and which they could not.
The disappointed peace man seeks solace
by declaring the traitors got the victories,
though they slipped continually backward
for convenience sake. The rebels grow stron-
ger by concentration and the loss of their re-
sources, and will reach their maximum in
that respect when Charleston alone remains
to them.
Next to Calhoun and his disciples, these
same peace advocates were the clIlef meters
of the present war They in fact invited the
traitors to begin it, who otherwise, with all
their selfconceit, would scarcely have as
saulted us with arms Yet now that the
bloody contest wanes TO its conclusion, our
inconsistent Marplots would interpose their
schemes of armistice and withdrawal, TO give
the rebels breathing time to protract the war
for an indefinite period
This is the precious sample Of their wis
dom and forecast which is to induce their
countrymen to confer on them the nIsrsge-
ment of national afairs-this the mode Of
pacifcation which is to heal the national
wounds and bring us repose and safety. And
] to cap the climax of their wondroue IRA