Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-12-26
Who are at Fault?

fessions of the Republican journals, that
they are "willing to do the South justice;'
that they viii grant her all her just
rights; :" that they "seek not to invade
or molest her." and that they design nc
interference with slavery where it exists,
but that they only seek to prevent its ex
tending to territory where it does not nov
exist"
Do these journals forget that in THEN
platform of 1856, slavery and polygamy'
were declared to bo "twin relics Of bal ba'
rism ?" Have they changed their opinion
on this subject? If so, where is the evl
dence? Ifnot, surely they must continue
to war against this 'twip relic OF barba
rism." If they still think 1t is barbarou'
TO hold slaves, it is their duty, as civi!ize1
Christians, not only to prevent its extern
sion, but to puth do0n 'chercccr il erists.
But again: if they were sincere in the'
professions OF non>interference with The
admitted rights of the Southern people
why do they manifest such reverence To-
the memcry of John Brown, tho murder
er? One of the most conspicuous banner
borne in the great Republican demonstra
ton made in Pittsburgh, just previous t.
the election, was inscribed, in glaiin:
capitals. with the words, He rcrcre n
memorye Of John Brorn, Of Ossawatto"'ic." Il
not this saying to all other fanatics, "g'
and do likewise the cause is holy ore
YOU have our sympathies now, and whei
the proper time arrives you shall have oui
aid and protec.icn."
This is the only fair, logical construction
put upon such declarations and demon
strations by the Southern people. They
are susceptible of no other Interpretation
The Southern people, therefore, are COM
PEELED to look upon the people OF the
North us their deadliest ioes--ready and
willing to cut their throat and steal and
burn their property. Is it any wonder
then, that they seek a separation from us
Does not Selfp.cservation compc. them tC
it? Let any man make it personal
question, and bring it homo to himself
and he must come to the conclusion that
all our present difficulties and dangers are
the legitimate consequences of the avoweo
and threatened aggrcssions OF the Repuh'
lican party upon the institutions of the
South
This is honestly confessed 10y some o
them; but by the great body OF them it il
either denied, or their acts Of wrong boldly
persisted in and justified. Under sucl
circumstances, car there be any hope of q
re>adiustmenl! Can our Southern breth.
rem be expected to strike hands again with
us of the North, and look upon US as Of
the same household, as long as we stand
convicted before the world rs the canon
izers Of their murderers Can they con
sent to live in terms of fellowship with
us, whilst We are proclOiming our right to
cut their throats and steal their property.
Can we hope for 4 Union Of hearts nnJ
a Union of hands," as long as we insult
ingly proclaim them to be "ba.barians ?"
Before this can be expected, we must
purge ourselves of these wrongs. The Re
publican party alone can 10 this. VIZ
hsg do Il? We answer, novcr-if it is lcf,
to their present political leaders. If it i,
done al all, the PEOPLE must do it. Will
they longer hesitate?