Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-12-12

mond. 1t may be said that the electors
we're pledged in ho- or TO their constitu-
cnts, although left free by the constitu-
ton but we believe if it were possible
to take tie sense of the Northern people
to day, Lincoln would be in the minority.
II majority in the Northern States is
little over a quarter of q million Of votes,
and as many as half million of his sap e
porters have deserted him since the elec.
ton. In this number We count the me-
chanics and manufacturers, who see now
that ruin stares them in Ike face, and the
very large namber Of respectable voters
who threw their influence upon the opp
sition side in order that the dem
ocrotio party might receive its death blow.
All these persons were mislcd for the mo
mcnt; they are now sincerely sorry for
What they have done, and exceedingly
anxious to recede from tEe extreme posi-,
lion into which the black republican lea
ders enticed them.
And now that the " orl. has been fn-
ished, now that the last straw has escap-
ed from the clutch of the drowning man,
tn = general inquiry is, what of the future?
We can see but little hope in the signs of
the times. The black republicans do not
purpose to act until after Lincoln as
l.n,, in a1 MI :. ~
the facts that the President elect has full
ed to indicate in any official way his prob.
able policy that the general tone Of the
presses in his interest is defiant rather
than conciliatorY that the leaders Of the
party, aim ,st without exception condemn
the course of Weed that Grow, at the
outset of tho session, luggcd in his Home.
stead Bill in order to stave off DISCUSSION
upon TIE topic which was uppcrnost in
the ml2d Of every m cnibcr, and that thir-
ty eight republicans voted against Botc.
lcr's resolution. We do. not envy such
men as Grow, Burlingamc, Sherman, lIick.
man, Howard and Lovejoy their place in
the history Of the country. They have
now taken the second step in the career
of political infamy most aptly begun by
the endorsement OF the Helper book.
In this state Of things--the South pre-
pairing to 80 out or the union-the
friends of the new administration sitting
with folded hands-thc material interests
of the country paralyzed--it bthooycs ev.
cry good citizent to look tho danger in the
Lee If there is-a doubt as to the immi-
nence of the crisis il may be resolved by
the letters aud speeches Of calm, conscr.
vatiye men, like Mr.. Stephens, of Ceor>
gia, and Senator Hunter, of Virginia.
The former lately gave to the country a
speech which will live forever with the
Lest efforts of the patriots and sages Of
every epoch. lie now writes short pri-
vate letter, 10y which it is evident that he
has the most serious apprehensions. Sem
ator Hunter reyieas the whole question,
dHN ehoNS NI'aG OOclclOb Is pul Oi Tic
question. Tho Senator's letter is long
but it will be attentively read notwith,
standing. As to what's before us no man
can tell. Much depends upon the action
of the Congressional Committee Of Thirty
three No body of men since thcworld
began has had greater, moto solemn
and more important responsibility in
its charge than this committee. If the
oottonStates can be induced to keep quiet
untlfan amendment 10 the constitution
has been acted upon, all may yet be well.
But the cotton States cannot be expected
to do this when the dominant party in the
North is Obstinate, indifferent, sullen, or
defiant. We call upon our black repub,
lican friends to give their special atten-
ton to the most important point in Mr.
Stephens letter. He takes the only ten
able ground, /. G., that secession is reyolu-
ton, and that revolution would be even
more disastrous TO the MOI tn than 10 the
south. Mr., stephens is quite right. In
tho event Of secession, the real battle of
the South would be fought in tie North,
where there are lilteen hundred thousand
arrayed in opposition to the doctrines Of
the republican party. The government
would have its hand full in endeavoring
to suppress anarchy and treason at the
North, and therefore could not carry out
Webb's idea and whip the South into sub.
mission. We have also, in all our large
cities, what are called the dangerous elias,
ses-thieyes, rowdies and yagabonds-na,
tive ard foreign, who would seize upon
the disorders ofthe State as a pretext for
wholesale plumber, and would receive
large reinforcements of laborers made
reckless and desperate by hunger. Thus
we should find both the local and the fed.