The Shasta courier., 1860-02-04
Do not Despair of the Union.

Do not Despair of the Union.
We are frank to say that we are not one of
those who despair of the Republic. We believe
1t is today as firmly bound together by the
bonds of patriotism, friendship and interest as
at any period of its existence. A dozen Har
4 per's Ferry raids by dozen old Browns, sent
forth from each free State against each slave
State, would not shake our confidence in the
perpetuity ofthis Union. 1t is the handiwork
of giants inspired by the Great Jehovah. and
de hath written upon it, in indellible marks
perceptibe to every patriots eye, the words
Esto Perpetua. Harpers Ferry raids, then, in
stead of lessening our confidence in the strength
of the Republic and weakening our belief in the
capacity of the people to govern themselves,
only serve to inspire US with increased conf
dence in the healthfuness of our system of gov
ernment, and in its perfect adaptabilty to secure
the utmost possible liberty to an intelent people,
with the least possible danger to society. Do
we despair of the life ofa man because of often
sive pestules upon his face or eruptions upon
his body? On the contrary, they are frequent
ly considered good evidence of health, or as the
immediate result of robust health What are
John Browns, Beechers, Garrisons, and their
sympathisers, but foul blotches upon the fair
face of a moral society, and offensive bos upon
the body polite? Thus vigilance committees,
mobs, and Harper's Ferry raids are not to be
considered as evidencing waning patriotism, or
| 1acav of tba frota
this Union of States, but rather as testifying by
their impotence and utter futiity, not less than
by the sudden destruction hurled upon them by
the strong arm of the powers that be-" the
strength and indestructibility of the Govern
ment.
Nay, we do not despair of this Republic Our
confidence in the patriotism and public virtue
of the great body of the American people is
unimpaired. We know that in every State may
be found men lacking in virtue, in patriotism
men who are fanatical, who, for lack of correct
religious teaching, or for long continued mpe-
ties, have been given over to hardness OF
heart and reprobacy of mind,'' that they might
d" believe lie." Such was the case with old
Brown and his followers. Such is the case with
all who sympathise with his cruel, murderous,
| reasonable enterprise. Believing that the negro
of the Southis groaning in chains-crying from
dungeons for liberty-that is, believing lie'
with fanatics belief-they abandon their pov-
ertystriken mothers and sisters (ride letter of
the sister. of the insurrectionist Stevens), who
are absolutely suffering for the want of food,
| and START forth n incita tba clpolS fa1
song singing negroes to revolt, slay their mas
ters and escape to a land of freedom where
they may enjoy, what ?-hunger and nakedness
along with the kindred of their deliverers We
know that such people exist, and they may a.
gain and again project Harper's Ferry raids.
But what of that? Do we not know that an
immense majority of the communities from
which they issue forth contemn and despise
them? Admit that bells were rung in some
northern towns on the day old Brown was
, hung, and Abolition meetings held-it is no
evidence that the people of the North sympa-
thised with that bloody, heartless old scoun-
drel? One Abolitionist ring bell. 4 dozen
noisy ones can always attract large crowd.
People anywhere will go to see the antics and
hear the talking of an infatuated brawler A
dog-hght or the rawlings of drunkard will
draw full house" any time. The presence
of the crowd attracted, however, does not
indicate approval of dog-fghting or drunken
ness. So with these Abolition gatherings in
Northern towns. And men who suppose they
indicate the sentiment of the body of Northern
| DeODle ipnOran nj nr aacjlv a1
Democracy of the North = T,celve Hundred
thousand strong-will at every hazard maintain
for the people of each section their constitu-
tional rights. So also will thousands of those
who have heretofore acted with the Republican
party. That party having become thoroughly
abolitonsed, these men will abandon it. and
hereafter be found battling in the ranks of the
Democracy.
Nay, never despair of the Republic, Let po-
liticians threaten. Let crazy fanatics howl
and denounce the Union as a failure, the Con-
stitution as "league with He'll" and an sabomi-
nation" They have done the same from the
beginning. When this Government came fresh
from the hands of its inspired makers, fanatics
sought to destroy it. But even then, when it
was like vessel green from the hands of the
potter, it was sufficiently strong to bear unin-
jured the assaults Of its enemies Shall we
then fear for it now that it has been hardening
for more than half a century in the genial rays
of the sun of prosperity?
y The American people know that the North
and South are mutually dependent upon each
other None save Abelitionists and fre-eaters
desire dissolution of the Union. They consti-
tute but contemplate minority of the whole
people. But if sef-interest and patriotism did
not fasten together the North and the South as
with hoOkx steel, the numberless glorious
memories With cluster around and warm eve
ry American heart, and like halo encircle the
American fag-the " stars and stripesn-would
of themselves forever render dissolution impos-
sible.