Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-09-27
A RECORD OF FACTS.
Who Are the Friends of the Soldiers

VINO Are the friends OF the Soldiers!
Since the return eff the Union soldiers the
Copperheads of this State are endeavoring
to create the impression that they have al
ways been friendly to soldiers, and that they
have done their utmost to sustain their
rights at home and on hostile fields. These
assertions are false in every particular There
is not an act on the statute books in which
it can be shown that the leaders of that par
ty ever manifested the least sympathy for
the Union soldier. On the other hand we
have abundant evidence that the rebel sol
diers who had been captured and occupied
our hospitals were treated more kindly than
the Union soldiers by Copperhead men and
women.
The public record of the party, which now
profess such profound sympathy for the sol
dier cannot be obliterated, and we subjoin
few facts for the meditation of the soldier.
On page 335 of the Legislature Record,
session 1861, viii be found the following
official proceedings, which we copy rerbatina,
and we hope every man will examine the
same carefully. Every member Of the Leg
islature of the session ofIS64 has the Record.
Remember the page, 335, and read it care
fully.
AMENDMENTS TO TIE CONSTITUTION.
Mr.. JOHNSON moved that the Senate re
sumo the consideration OF bill, Senate No.
5, entitled Joint resolutions proposing GER
tain amendments to the Constitution.
The motion was agreed to, and the bill
was taken up on third reading.
The question being on the final passage OF
the bill, the yeas and nays were taken III ac
cordance with the requirements cf the Con
stitution, and were as follows, viz
YEAs-Messrs. Champneys, Connell, Dun
lap, Fleming, Graham, Hoge, Householder,
JohnSep, Klnsey, Lowry, NJ Candless, Mich
Worthington and Penney-1s.
NAYs-Messrs. Beardslee, Donovan. Latta.
Montgomery, Smith, Stark and Wallace.
So the bill passed finally. During the call,
Ar RI,nrsr -: i It may not be
improper to state at this time, that Senators
on this side OF the Chamber cannot vote on
this question as they probably would, if its
merits were to be considered. shall, there
fore, ask at the proper time to place my rea-
sons ur on the journals for voting, If we con-
sidered it upon its merits, exactly as L vote
now. / vote no.
Mr.. BUCHER said: Mr. Speaker, | voted
| for these amendments last session, and whilst
the strongest evidence was afforded me at
| the last election of the abuse this privilege
| will oher-to those who lord it over such OF
the qualified electors of this State who may
| be in the army of the nation-still | do not
think such an abuse should deprive our citi-
Zens of their rights. | would therefore,
| have again voted for them, provided this
body was legally organized-but, as such is
not the position Of the Senate, decline to
vote.
Mr.. LAaIBERToN said At the last ses-
sion Of the Legislature, along with my Dem
ocratc brethren, and in obedience to public
sentiment then, l voted for these amend
ments to the Constitution. But, sir, since
the beginning of this session, believing, that
the organization of the Senate was not III
accordance with law or precedent, have;
sir, steadily, step by step, opposed what
believed to be usurping organization.
[ have, hitherto declined to recognize any
affirmative legislation by this body, no mat
ter how meritorious the subject, because
believed it was not constituted properly, tC
legislate. | cannot, even now, upon thu
important question, recognize, by my vote
what l believe to be a lawless organization
reserving for the future such expressionso O
my views as | may deem proper and neces
sary. For the reasons indicated decline
to vote.
Mr.. LATTA said: shall vote no on thi'
question, and will axis the privilege OF thn'
Senate to file my reasons for SO voting, IL
addition TO the common reason OF want 0
organization.
Mr.. WALLACE said: [ vote against thu
bill upon principle, as well as for form, anf
desire to assign the following reasons for m.
vote with regard to the first amendment:
This is no ordinary step. 1t is not one
those acts of legislation that may be repeal
ed at our next session, if it prove unwlse Q
injurious, but it is change Of the organl
law, which, if effected, cannot be repealie'
save by The act of two successive Leglsla
lures, and a vote of the people, and ever
this cannot be done until five years subse
auent to its adoption. Such are the Prov
! ions of the Constitution. Beside this, 1t
t in substance repeal OF the well considers
provisions of the Constitution OF 1888 upo
the subject of the right OF suffrage, and es
sentially a change and modification OF tn
3 Invaluable safeguards that the wisdom G
t ages has thrown around the elective fran
e chise. The time of its proposition, too,
{ Objectionable. We are in the midst OF grea
: public commotion; the minds of men are
2 a continual whirl of excitement and aglts
: ton; and the hour is unpropitious for thi
:. calm unruf1ed judgment that should presid
over our deliberations in the settlement
!. questions of this magnitude.
o Whatever may have been my sentiment
IS and opinions upon this amendment when
J, was before this body at last session, the ie
4 4 sons of the past year have taught. me
e fear the consequences of its adoption, an
n driven me to an investigation of It's merit me:
r, In our own State we have seen the mllita1 !,
al used by its controlling power to decide IL