Litchfield enquirer., 1860-12-20
Communications.

country awakens the deepest interest both a home and abroad. Here at home, both actor and spectators gaze upon the scene with mingled feelings of fear, pity, sympathy and anger Abroad more dsinterested and calmer view is taken. They ask, is Law and Justice to be
 pheld, or is reckless folly and headstrong pas a;on to rule the hour, and to destroy what years of wisdom and experience have created?
 ID me. Mir. Editor, the question seems simply
 shalI we stand or fall mot ctn ace, but shol ,ce Shall this Government, which has cost SC much. and wrought so much,-the noblest tht world has seen, be plotted from existence, by { few hot-headed demagogues, who are striving te work it's ruin? Shall barbarianism again ring the death-knell of civilization, and the night ol the Middle Ages gather around this continent as it settled over Europe? Shall we employ ou, constitutional power to check and put down Re bellion Insurrection and Treason if need be, or stand passive and witness the ruin of all that is dear to an enlightened Freeman?
 In Congress is vested the constitutional pow or to provide for the general welfare, to execute the laws, to suppress instructions, and to pun ish treason. The machinery placed in the hands of Congress to be used when necessary to secure these results, is an armed 1and and Naval force.
 The question then arises, does the present time demand an armed interference on the part of the general Government As view the mat ter Mr. Editor, it seems, not yet to warrant it. but if talk ends in action,-if threats culminate in deeds. this Government must use it's copsti- tutional powers to maintain it's homer and it's perpetuity.
 The position of the leaders of the Secession movement in South Carolina approxmates closely to treason. This the Constitution de- clares, shall consist only in levying war against them, (the U. s., or in adhering to their ene- mics, giving them aid and comfort"
 They have here enrolled men, armed and equipped them for service, passed State Act, authorizing a war loan, all with reference to whom as an enemy ?-the Union and the Gen. eral Government Her citizens are resignng their stations as Federal office holders, tender ing their services to the State governor, threat ening to resist the Laws and to rend asunder by their own acts, the solemn compact of Union into which their fathers entered with our fathers
 The election of Abraham Lincoln, according to the forms of the Constitution, the much talked-of wrongs of the South, &c., &c.,, are not the cause of this commotion. This same feeling has been cherished, and brought forward at times, for twenty-five years, and now again more favorable pretext and opportunity pre- sents itself, and Disunion and Secession are more fercey cried, even so as to threaten eur national existence.
 Now what is to be done? Clearly, self-pres- ervation is here our highest and holiest duty South Carolina may ttlk herself out of the Un- ion, and cote herself out, and aish herself out, and De acished out, as she doubtless has been. and still remain the same noisy, brawling, quar- relsome and troublesome virago that she has so often shown herself, and the Federal Govern ment have no business to send single soldier there to compel different state of things, how ever desirable, it might be. But when South Carolina makes the first aggressive act,-when she uses the force she is preparing to resist the operation of a Federal Law, or to arrogate to herself the Federal property,-than she commits treason, and every man assisting her either d. reetly or indirectly, is a candidate for the gal lows Then the force of the General Govern ment is required, and the question demands to be settled, whether the powers given us to pre- serve our existence and to defend our honor snail be employed and this Rebellion and Treas on quenched forever. Oh, but civil war is hor. fid and we must not coerce. Granted. But when one State rebels and imperiously dictates terms 10 score of equals-when she arms for war, talks treason and threatens the life of the 1overnment shall the central power then timid- y shr'hk from duty, declare that her course is r"inous and that she ought to desst but at the same tune take no efficient measures to prevent US own death, and provide for no use of its con- St'tut'onal power? Clearly, no ; yet this very ooufse' James Buchanan, the head of the Fed erai 'overnment, is now doing. What provis- ion IS there for defending the Government nron- er'y Tn the harbor of Charleston, for collectino iHe hevenues and for maintaining the power ana dignity of the Federal Government if if snail ba assailed? Nothing sufficient Wb.t;s 'he use of system if it cannot maintain ;t,o,f ana shelter its followers in time of trio, Tho "or'd looks at us now to see our boastad suno- ''or''y' and the workings of our self.sustainino power. If we yield to petty brawl and crouoh os'ore the storm that one turbulent, disaffected 0'a'e creates--if our unity is destroyed bv force ahd this fabric rent asunder at hsr d;oto.;.. 'ieh ~herein are We better than Mexico AVA, 'ss'iess and ever changing :? am not in fsvo, D' '''ii war; would do all in my power to ore .s", ,s It, put If necessary Jet H come. Hope fol GU. cue 'est but if South Carolina or any othe ''e commits an aggressive act and takes tb, A's' reasonable step, then act with vigor and i, ""'ner not to be misunderstood. Punis] treason at whatever cost, even if it be civil wa,
 n"u we an efficient, manly executive, was als'ine,y understood that the Governmep
 aoo"'o 0e motntaiaed and that T,o;,o,.. w w.a,z 0e n""g' we should hear less folly in talk an, see less madness in action. But ,o. ~ , !, "n' that recklessness wifi be stayed on the one h.na