The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-02
Administration View.
A SHOT AT MR.. SEWARD FROM THE HAR-
"a PER's FERRY ARSENAL. r
From the Washington Constitution.

lts nrst Iruts. ltWas evident, however, tnat
il was simply question OF time when the
conflict should begin, and how 1t should ter.
inmate. This announcement OF Mr.. Sew.
ard was received by different persons end
sections Of the country with far different
feelings. The South regarded it as SOL
emu declaration OF war upon their equality,
peace aud safety. The unanimity with
which they have united under the banner Of
the national democracy as the most certain
mode Of successfully resisting in the Union
this threatened aggression, shows that they
are not indifferent to the threst, but are de.
termined to offer to it the most determined
resistance which, up to this time, has not
looked beyond the Union for success.
The political followers end sympathizers
OF Mr.. Seward were emboldened by the spirit
which their leader exhibited. Regarding
the man as cool, calculating politician,
who studied more closely the end to be reach
ed than the means by which it was TO be
accomplished, they have calculated with
great confidence upon increased power and
strength to be gained by this insidious ap.
peal to the popular prejudices OF their own
section Of country. Thus have the political
AbolitiOnists been looking steadily TO the
next Presidential election for the triumph OF
their party and principles, and to the new
dogma Of Mr.. Seward as the instrumentuliiy
by which the result should be brouy yh, about.
A third class received the announcement
Of DIR. Seward with less coolness, but with
equal pleasure and satisfaction. The fanat-
icai and reckless religious Obolitionists felt
that new impulse had been given to their
unholy cause; great leader had risen up
to head their movements, organize their for
ces, defend their principles, justify their war
upon the Constitution and the rights of the
South, and lead them on to glorious victo.
ry. Inspired with this teeling,and regardless
OF all other considerations, they ret to work
with hearty good will to embtter still more
the feelings OF the Northern people against
their brethren Of the South. From the day
that Mt Seward announced his doctrine OF
the "irrepressibIe conflict this class of Abo.
llionists has grown more and more insoIent.
They have steadily advanced in their de.
mands upon that class Of politicians who
seek to coDciiiate their favor and eteby
gain their votes. Conscious OF the great aid
which they had obtained from so high a
quarter, and over estimating--as we trust
and belieVe-the popular feeling at the
North against the constitutional rights o.
the South, these men have persuaded them
selves into The conviction thGt the time had
now arrived to put TO the test the Seward
theory OF an ''iTrepressibe conf Ct" OR
columns for the list few d1ya furnish an ac-
count OF the first concerted effort which this
class OF men have been induced to make
The number actually engaged in the insur
rectIoDary movement at Harper's Ferry is
no indication OF its extent or even OF the
parties Involved in the outrage. We pre-
sent oeloW an Anonymous letter received by
Governor Floyd, Secretary Of War, in Au-
gust last, which throws food of light upon
this otherwise mysterious and unaccountabie
affair. Ordinarily no importance should b.
attached TO such anonymous communica
tions, and it was with this feeling that the
Secretary OF War, ut the time he received
it, lald 1t aside, as unworthy OF uny serious
consideration. TIE veIopm9nts now.
however, at Inrper's Ferry, give peculiar
SilniilcuDce to this anonymous letter. The
wonderful conformity of what had transpred
to the programme which the letter anuounc
ed, leaves no doubt that the writer wus 10.
miIinr with the plan, and honestly yht to
place the Government in possession of it,
As far as it was permitted to proceed it was
evidently conducted upon that plan. The
conclusion is too clear for doubt TINT the
arrangements tor this Infamous outbreak
were far more extensive thln might other
wise have been supposed. Fortunately for
the peace and quiet Of the country, the fail
ure Of the conSpiraiors to perfect their plans,
and the prompt and efficient action of the
Government have successfully arrested and
put down this infamous, and, under less for.
tunate circumstances, dangerous movement.
We desire to present these facts and
thoughts to the colin and patriotic consider
alton of the country. II we followed the
natural impulses Of our heart, we should
write and speak iT sterner language, but we
have no desire to inh4me the public mind or
to add to the excitement which has already
swept over the land. 1t is time that passion
should be silenced and reason should speak.
We have had, for the last few years, enough
of bitter feeling and heartess wr4ngIng.-I
1t has driven US on t. a pricipice from which
we are forced to look upon the gulf which
lies before US. As we pause there in com
mon reality of the impending danger, may
we not, with confidence, appeal to the hon
est, sober, cen ervative, and truly national
and patriotic sentiment OF the country, 10
unite in cordial union to preserve its peace
and integrity by maintaining in good taith
the Constitution and laws Of the lind !--
Good men must no longer be deceived
They must throw off the Indifference with
which too many OF them are accustomed to
] 1,nIy ba II Al.
day. The time has come when the choice
must be made by our Northern brethren
between the peace and safety Of the country
based7upon the Constitution and laws Of the
land, on the one hand, and MIR. Stewards
dogmas of "higher lawism and irregressbi1e
conflicts" on the other. There Gun be no
doubt Of the decision which the patriotic
people OF the North will pronounce if they
can be induced to look calmly end deliber.
ately upon the subject, and properly weight
the results, which depend upon the justice
and correctness of that decision.
II the scenes at Harper's Ferry, which
have. given occasion for these reflections,
had occurred at time when Mr.. Seward
occupied the Presidential chair, what would
have been the result! With his avowed
doctrines OF "the higher law" and the sir
repressible conflict" and his equally EN-.
phatic announcement that, "Savery can and
must be abolished, and you addressing him.
self to the Northern people) and must do
it," in connection with his denial of the con-
stitutional guarantees Of Slavery with these
principles, views and doctrines, what, we
ask, would have been the course of Mr..
Seward if he had been president at this crit
ical juncture! ! There can be but one an
swer to the inquiry. He must either have