Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-12-19
The Crisis.

Il Is said that Nero hddled White home
was burning. and many of the Black kepuo-
lcan leaders appear equally jubilant at
the present time, although the destruction of
the Government under whIeh they live, seems
inevitable. The iden that the dissolution Of
the Union was an event which might possibly
occur, though in far distant ages, called up
painful emotions in the breast of Washing
ton. He knew that it would be followed by
war, anarchy and confusion, and that the
idea that man is capable of self government,
would be thenceforth forever abandoned He
therefore warned his countryman to beware
of sectional parties as the most dangerous en-
cmies the Union would encounter, and implo-
red them to regard that Union as the palia-
dunn of their liberties, the protector OF
their rights as freemen. But few, even at
this day are, we think, willing to deny that
Washington was q profound statesman who
loved his Country; but still, from the indiffer-
euce with which many Of the leaders of the
Lincoln pary regard the signs which indicate
the speedy dissolution of the Union, we believe
they secretly consider the views expressed by
hin, in his farewell address, as ''old fogyish''
and unworthy of attention II this enlightened
age They seem to regard the dissolution Of
the Union as an event neither to be dreaded
or avoided, and which, while pregnant with
evils for the South, cannot possibly injure the
>North. 1t may be very consoling for them
to think SO now Let them, if they WILL shut
their eyes against the approaching danger,
until disunion is upon them with its train of
horrors. 1t may not look terrible to them
when contemplated at distance, for it has
rot yet assumed its most hideous form; but it
may soon DO SO. As Robroy Mac Gregor said,
they who scoffed at the grovelling worm and
spurned him. may perchance. be the first to
cry and howl, when they see the sto9p of the
flying and fiery -mouthed dragon"
Scarcely Republican Statesman or Re
publican newspaper has now word to say in
favor of Cancellation They nearly all advo-
cate coercion and contend tiat the grievances
of which the South complain, are not real
bat imaginary. They are not willing TO re-
cede single inch from their present position
in order to prevent a civil war. They are
not startled or alarmed at the idea os keeping
the Union together by force, By holding a
lash over nearly one half of the States al
though they cannot but know that this UnioD
is q league Of love, and not OF oompulsion, and
that State compelled by an armed force to
remain in the Union would cease to be sov-
ereign State. and be degraded into conquer
Cd province.
Certainly if force is to be resorted to, in
order to prevent secession, it should be resor-
ted to only as the last desperate remedy af-
ter all peaceful aud conciliatory measures
have failed. Let the Northern States begin
by repeating their laws, nnllifying the fugi-
tive Slave law; let abolitionism be every
where frowned down and discouraged; let the
Northern mem5er of Congress advocate the
taking of immediate steps for amending the
Constitution, in accordance with the sugges-
tions of Mr. Buchanan in his annual Mes
sage; let them instead of making secretion
speeches, advocate union, harmony and con-
Citation. By pursuing course OF this kind
we believe the Union can be saved. The op-
posite course if pursued viii render its dis
solution inevitable.