Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-01-16

parallel IN the history OF civilization,
and oven 20 erect monuments to their
memory Garry out this purpose and
whnt induccment can be hereafter Of
iercd to the loyal citzcn to dght
against treason, when he feels assured
that should he fall in battle the trail
tors crave should be equally honorcd
with his own
"Tho cause Of the Union was a
holy one, while that which opposed il
must have been It's converse. TO one
side alone the glory belongs. This
was not q war Of nations but of trea-
son against loyalty. ltwas contest
Of rebels who would have drained the
liie's blood Of the government which
had nurtured and protected them,
against its patriotic sons who fought TO
save it from destruction. 1t was u war
carried on by the defenders and pro-
moters Of oppression against the
friends and lovers of liberty and their
country's integrity
"While there is no reasonable obicc-
tion to giving decent scpulture even
to the rebel dead, those who consider
them deserving Of honorable testimo-
mails, may bestow them. 1t is our
duty to render honor only to whom
we believe honor is due"
SOMETHING SENSIBLE.
As an offset to this moral obsccnity
and "loil" ribaldry, we take the fol-
lowing extract from a letter written
by John Quincy Adams, jr., on the
late anniversary Of the battle Of New
Orleans, at Washington. Mr.. Adams
says:
'Ii IL well for us, in these days Of darkness and
trial, to commemorate the recurring anniversaries
marked cyermore with white in our national an
nals. There never was . time in our history when
II was more important toawal.e the dormant insen-
sibilitcs Of mutual goodwill and national frater-
nifty from one end of the land TO the other. Il
cannot be that the generous and magnnuimous
mon of the North can much longer cherish or en-
duro the domination Of vndctye passion or retri-
butiyo revenge in dealing with their vanquishcd
and bleeding brothers at the South still less ox-
change The cordial welcome home Of forgiveness
for trembling traffic in strained and hamperod
mercy.
"For my own part, | nm ashamed Of this unmhn-
ly distrust and fearful suspicion of our PROSTATE
fellow citizens. l. there anything in the purpose
or result Of the war which jusiihes the victor in
such iratracidal quarrel in throttng hs foe after
be Is down, and holding up his hands in defeat
aud despair No brave man, in bis personal
quarrel, will treat thus an opponent who acknowl-
edges defeat, and ,yuounces further waflare. But
to refuse to forgive and forget the past enmity Of
our own flesh and blood, to scomlully suecr at his
promises and protests, and try to exiort fllaoious
security from his deep distress, Is not only an un-
worthy raneor and piiilal timidity--it is folly
Of fatal character.
"Men and peoples may 6glA and when the fight
Is over, shake hands and grow faster friends than
ever; and so might We but for the confidence Of
assured power, surpicious demands for security
aud Illuminating imposition Of terms. No recon
ciliation ever sprang from fear. This may lot be
siaiosmanship, but believe il 10 be human nature
and that is good enough substitute for me. His
because ! think that our people, both North and
South, do believe after all in deciding fight man
fashion, and then disdaining to bear grudre,
that am glad that such honorable and mcmora-
Die events as that which you celebrate should be
called afresh 10 the minds OF all Of Us
In IL there is nothing sectional, nothing marrow,
nothing partisan. II was triumph won 10 be suro
By Southern skill and bravery, bnt common 10 the
whole country. Such achievements, hty CON-
memoated, should lift up The heart Of the nation
70 higher and more comprehensive kindness and
fellowship than We have known for many long
year and assure 10 tho new era q respcndent brill
aney Of united progress which may even shadow
the shining memories Of the early days Of the Re
public.
The Governor next proceeds TO dis
cuss
LEGISLATION.
"At the last session certain bills were
passed in which large numbers OF cili-
zens were deeply interested, the re-
sponsibility for which, after the ad.
jounment, but few members could be
found willing to assume, or even to
admit any knowledge OF their passage
1t is expected that every legislator
should be acquainted with all that is
transpiring in the legislative halls.
He is not simply chosen to give his
support to certain bills which have
been called 70 his individual attention
but TO be constantly on the alert TO
frustrate every act that may have a
tendency to jeopardize the public in
teresls To plead ignorance after a
real or imaginary wrong has boon
done, is to acknowledge a want Of at
tention to the trust reposed by his
constituents One bill, the authorship
and knowledge Of which has been gen.
orally disclaimed, passed both branch.
cs Of the Assembly, and was sent in
due form, with the signatures of the
proper officers, for the Executive ap.
proyal, and in several instances bills
were passed and sent for approval in
duplicate.
IAN such hasty and careless legis.
laiion should be avoided, and the
members Of the session now about to
commence be enabled at its close TO
give an account Of their participation
in every act, however unimportant.
The Legislature, coming as it does.
fresh from the ranks Of the people. |
should set an example in economy, re- |
trenchment and reform. II is the |
custodian Of the public interests, and |
any unnecessary extravaganza or
prodigaity in the expenditure of pub |
lie money is reprehensiblc. 1t was a
matter of common notoriety at the
last session that a number of subordi.
nate officers, in both branches of the
Assembly, were appointed, to whom
liberal salaries were paid, and who
were never seen at their designated
posts, and rendered no service to the
State. This practice has been emphat.
ically condemned by the press and tho
people, aud will not be continued bv
any Legislature which means to ac-
luire u reputation for faithful per-
iormancc OF duty. Your attention is