Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-10-11

preston was regarded by the friends Of
Slavery as the death-knell of the institution
and 1t was its death-knell. 1t was true
indication OF the advance of public opinion
to a position where it was willing to take
RISKS In support of principle Hitherto
public opinion had been passive-now it be-
came active. The threats of dissolution had
formerly awed 1t into submission to the be-
hests OF Slavery. Lincoln S election proved
that the constitution of Northern society
had grown to that point, which made all
further demands of Slavery futile. Hence
the rebellion. The triumph of anti Slavery
opinion was the real revolution, but it was
a moral and constitutional revolution The
rebellion was rebellion against the revolu-
ton, the last desperate struggle of freedom s
antagonist to maintain its ground against
public opinion which was overwhelming it.
As almost always happens, the enemies of
progress, IN taking up arms to prevent it,
only precipitated result which but for
their suicidal madness might have been
postponed for many years. The abo ition
OF slavery, which under the quiet operation
OF law reforms was only very remote prob
ability, became fixed fact by the act of the
war. War makes people run through its
phase of existence fast. The American
peorle are no exception to the general rule
III this respect. The abolition of Slavery
was necessary step in our National pro-
gFess. The friends of the institution pre-
cipitated that step by rebellion, and made
bloody stride accomplish what thousand
pcacetGi ones would not have done We
have, however, not merely shaken off the
dead weight that clogged our movement as
a Nation. The masses Of the people North
and South have been converted from inert
ness into living force. They have been
stirred up out of their immobility and made
the active agents OF mighty power Can
any one suppose they do not feel this i?
Does s9y one believe that tie South is here
after to be cursed with the presence Of an
Ignorant, quiescent and lazy mass Of poor
whites? Necessarily they have felt their
i,hpo ffance az an adjunct of the rebellion
A held partially opened to them by war is
thrown open still more widely by the con
summation OF peace on the anti Slavery
basis. The labor market, once monopoly,
Is free for the competition of energy and en-
terprlse. An unrestrained career is openo'
to every white man; and progressive although
may be the immediate aspect of the rela-
tions OF the races, there is an intellectual
law which governs mems ACTORS as fixed as
the law of gravitation. The principle of
liberty is an abstract principle, and compcls
a consistent maintenance for It's own preser-
walton. 1t is certain to revenge itself upon
any man who departs from it by involving
his own rights.
It follows then that Slavery being dead
the monopoly of labor which made it profit
able being broken up; the political power
springing from that monopoly being destroy
ed the people formerly subjected to its po
litical sway being emancipated and the en-
barge against emigration into its section re
moved; that the great moral revolution
which only preponderated in section will
substantiate itself as national, and progress
amongst a homogeneous people towards the
achievement of its logical sequences.
Alabama has followed Mississippi and
other Southern States in declaring the Sc
cession ordinance null and void and in abol-
ishing Slavery We do not see any great
merit in this, inaslnuch as Alabama was
compelled TO do it. And we freely confess
that the sentiments uttered by some of the
members of the convention in their remarks
upon the act abolishing Slavery are anything
but encouraging as evidences Of the exist
ence of real anti Slavery sentiment. We
fear that there is still treachery enough left
in the hearts of the old political hunkers
that have grown fat upon the carcass OF
Slavery to be willing to revive it if such
thing were possible: history has warnings
which even they must heed. While we are
pretty certain that the remembrance of
Sherman s raid and Lees surrender will
have wholesome effect upon present sur
vivors, we are equally as sure that free prln-
ciples will so vindicate themselves in the ad-
vancement of the material prosperity and
moral greatness of the South that we may
safely leave their support to the sons OF
the soil that follows these survivors.
-
BEAUTIFUL ANDTRUE- In late article in
Frazer Magazine, this brief, beautiful pas
sage occurs: Education does not com
mence with the Alphabet. It begins with
mothers look-with father smile OF APP
probation, or sign of reproof-with a sisters
gentle pressure OF the hand, or a brother
noble act of forbearance-with a handful OF
beautiful flowers in green and daisy mead
ows-with birds nests admired but not
touched-with creeping ants, and almost I'M,
perceptible insects with humming bee sand
glass bee e-hives-with pleasant walks IN sha-
dy lanes, and with thoughts directed IN
sweet and kindly tones, and wordsto mature
to acts of benevolence, to deeds of virtue, to
the source ofall good to God himself.
'sOh, mother do send for the doctor
said little boy of three years. What for,
my dear p ''Why, there's a gentleman
in the parlor who says he II die if Jane don't
marry him-and Jane says she won't. -
On hearing the song entitled g The dear
est spot on earth is home Henry remark
ed that he foundh his home so dear that ne
was going to break up housekeeping and go
to boarding.
The faces of soldiers coming cut of an en-
a.