Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-12-26
Uls.s Fsc.iousness and its Effects.

~>S~A~~~
The favorite hobby of the Democratic
party, says the Z. S. Gazette, during the
whole period of It's domination in our ma
tienal affairs, was disintegration- For this
purpose State rights were necessarily held
up as the essential principle Of American
liberty. For this purpose the idea was con-
stantly inculcated that this was not a nation,
but cengeries of independent sovereign
ties. For this purpose the dangers OF cen
tralization were magni6ed and held up as
bugbears. With the apostaey of johnson,
he and all his new found friend. renew their
stale cries, and resort TO all the old dodges
of the school Of notification.
However excellent measure proposed IN
Congress may be, We are warned that 1t
should not be adopted, because 1t induces
Capitalization, and thus rather than allow
our acknowledged evils to be remedied, we
are to suffer them to continue, lest we should
do good in a manner that some tender soul
might fancy to be unconstitutional 1t Is
somewhat strange that the same influence
that Is thus used TO nullify or thwart con-
gressional action on the plea of State rights,
&c, can find no objection to the usurpation
of the most autocratic powers by the ma
tional Executive, but on tie contrary ap-
plauds it.
There is but one consequence of this in
creasing opposition, this unreasoning and
inconsistent obstructiyeness, and that is to
a. Il nly-
united, more determined to carry out their
principles, and more resolutely bent on
blocking up every avenue OF return TO the
old order of things. The temper now ex-
hibited by the entire South is such that if
we were to argue ourselves blind, deaf and
dumb, we could never convince the mis-
guided people of that rebellious section that
what we desire to do is wholly for their own
good. 1t is truly remarked by the London
Spectator that no aristocratic or privileged
class was ever yet convinced merely by NOR
al suasion that it ought to grant reforms de-
manded in the interest of lower classes, and
this great truth seems now to be too little
recognized in American politics.
We are dealing with an aristocracy at the
south fully as powerful as any in Europe.
1t has been able to wage war that proba-
bly, no aristocracy elsewhere could have done,
and having now once more firmly entrench-
ed itself behind the great defences where
for half century it was able to laugh at all
attacks. it fancies itself secure, and will
agree to nothing whatever but what it
chooses. This aristocracy has forfeited all
claim to our respect by the bloody and terri
bic war it cost US. AS for going back again
over the same long, wearisome pathway of
political agitation to induce this class to do
what we know it never will, We say at once
is out of the question.
We have ended the war VIGOROUSLY We
we're not conquered, though resident John
| son appears to think we were. We hold the
Southern States not by their voluntary sub
mission, but by the absolute right of con-
quest, and it seems to..us to be toierably impu-
dent in these representatives of a beaten ar
istocracy to think that we hold our constitu-,
tional powers and rights by their pern,is-
| sion. For the sake of Cancellation we were
willing to be liberal to them but they chose
to misinterpret our concessions for recogni-
tion of their exploded State sovereignties,
and all the present troubles have arisen in
consequence The time has come to teach
them what they are, and what the national
government can and will do with their windy
distractions.
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