Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-06-13

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shrined in their hearts by the tender mem
ories of their fallen kindred, but it must
live, as they well know, in the history, ira
ditions, and ballads of the Union, associa-
ted with perjury dishonorable crime, and
cruel war. IF they should profess to love
| the Union we could not believe them. 1t
is so unnatural that it would be easier to
believe they were hypocrites than that they
were monsters.
But they are neither hypocrites nor mon
sters. They do not love the Union, and do
not pretend to. 1t is untruthful men of
our own section that prevaricate for them
The same class of men that misrepresented
| the feelings of the North before the war,
and thus deceived the South and goaded
| them into rebellion, now misrepresent the
feelings of the South to deceive the North
| and lure it into irretrievable surrender. Be-
| fore the war they deceived the South and
| trayed the North but now tits reversed,
they deceive the North and betray the 10y
al South. The same perfdious breath that
carried South the untruthful story of north
ern hate, and thus prompted the war, comes
back now with another story, equally untruth-
full, of southern love. They tell us that the
disloyal South is a gentle bride, impatient
for the nuptials, when they know that she
submits to them with loathing Have they
not laid down their arms? is the argu-
mentative inquiry No, sir; their arms
were taken from them Have they not sub
mitted? No, sir they were defeated in
battle. There is nothing in their past con-
duct nor present attitude that lustihes the
use of the word submission. Prisoners of
war have been taken, but they were releas-
ed on parole rebel armies have been dis
persed, but they have been reorganized as
State militia rebelState governments have
been overthrown, but again revived and re-
stored to the old possessors and forfeltures
of life and estates have been remitted, but
that is all. Call this clemency, privilege,
triumph, victory, what you please, but do
| not call it submission, with which it has not
one shade of meaning in common. We do
not need to call witnesses TO prove that these
people are hostile to the Union and its in
terests The history of the human race
proves it. Whoever attempts to prove the
contrary must first show that they are un-
like any other people whose passions, strug
giles, and defeats are recorded in the annals
of the world.
But witnesses have been called-Union
generals and rebel generals, Union and reb-
ell citizens, without distinction ef party,
condition, race, or color-and all support
under oath the great historic truth, that a
stimulated by the rostrum, press, and pulpit
for lifetime; upheld by large fortunes
wrung from the toll of slaves, and sanctified
by the blood of sons and kindred, has not
been and cannot be surrendered to military
orders Such purpose Surrenders only to
time. [ do not present this great truth now
by way of reproof or condemnation OF these
misguided people, but only by way of eau
tion and warning to ourselves L come to
the conclusion, therefore, that they do not
desire the perpetuation of the Union. If
we would remove all restraints and give
them freedom of choice they would revive
the Confederacy at once. They would take
advantage of war with Great Britain or
France to secure their independence, and
they would take advantage of their double
representation here to promote such war.
If no opportunity of escape should soon of
fer, would they not still live in hopes of it and
in persistent hospitality to the country OBJ
legations to the soldiers, widows, orphans,
and creditors of our war, and friendly to
the assumption of similar obligations crea-
ted by themselves in the interest of the re-
bellion? Even in advance of their own
coming portion of their vast claims have
reached your files. When my colleague
Mr.. Randalll from the Democratic side
proposed that the national faith, pledged in
war, should not be broken in peace, there
was one voice from Kentucky against it
only one by count, but considering the quar-
ter from which 1t came, multitudinous in
omen. A bill has also been introduced by
gentleman, sometimes called the Democrat
ic leader in this House, to repudiate In part
the public debt under pretense of taxing it,
in violation of the laws by which it was
created. These cannot be regarded as the
oddities of one or two men, but rather as
impulsive confessions of imprudent scouts
too far in advance of the following army
The purpose will not be generally disclosed
until the forces are arranged for its execu-
ton.
am speaking now only of the dangers
that will beset the Republic by the allow
ance of representation unfrlendly to Its
prosperity and even its existence In such
disproportionate numbers. But we should
net forget that this act is also a recognition
as republican in form of constitutions, we
have never seen Except that of Tennessee)
and all, except those of Lincoln origin, un-
der rebel supremacy The white Unionists
who have been looking through five dreary
years of persecution, lynching, and confisca.
ton to this as their hour of deliverance, will
find themselves betrayed into the hands OF
their old, unhumbled, unreenting torment
ors 1t also consigns the freedmen to the
| tyranny of old masters, not now as hereto
fore bribed to humanity by monied inter
est In the preservation of their chattel es-
tates. Twenty five per cent, says an hon
orable gentleman who presents his back of
| fensively to the North as he makes his low
obeisance South, twenty five per cent. have
already perished. The wish no doubt was
father to the thought with the masters in
whose interest the declaration is made.
These, then, are my premises. will re-
! meat them