Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-12-26
CLEARFIELD, PA. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 26 1860.

Alter all, Mr.. Lincoln is in minority OF
nearly nine hundred thousand votes. and
IN his election the people of the United
states have not passed Judgment against
the claims OF the South to equality and
justice.
MIR. Pre- ident, want to call the atten-
ton OF those Senators and of their friends
NJ nome to particular point in this case.
DO not care to inquire into the question
of the right of secession. Whether it be
right, or whether, when State with.
draws 1t is revolution, the consequence to
the seeding State and to tho remaining
states will be essentially the same, and
the remedy, if remedy there be, will be
the same. But the point | wish to make
Is this even if it be right, is it Just to
the other States to resort to that remedy
until redress has been sought and denied
at the very fountain Of political power and
authority, and through the precise chan>
nelS in which this Confederacy was forms
ed! think rot Such precipitate ac.
ton is not just to their friends. Let the
southern States ask of this Coafederacy.
seperate and aside from ordinary political
considerations, to consider and adjust this
question. Let them ask redress for thei
grievances at the hands of those who have
the power to grant it, and in the form
prescribed in the compact under which we
live. If redress be denied, if two thirds of
the States refuse TO call convention, or.
calling convention, if three fourshs of
the States decline to approve such amend.
ments to the Constitution as they deem
essential TO the protection of their rights
and to the maintenance OF their equality
in the Union, then the time will have ar
rived for considering Il is question of dis
solution. But until all other means have
been exhausted, it should not cannot be
seriously entertained.
Mr.. President, am one of those who
believe that the remedy for the present
distrc cted condition Of the country, after
all, must sooner or later come from the
people, it it is to come at all and be per
manent | do not say tina: amendments
should not be submitted here. am by
no means intending to indicate that the
ctior. should not be made; but I do sov
that little hope that measures of adjust
ment can pass Congress that will meet
this case. 1t is hardly to be expected
that the politicians or partisans of the
country brought into position in the
midst Of party struggles, committed to
one side or other of the controverted
points, are prepared for this delicate
work. 1t must go into other hands. Let
the people select representatives on this
single subject alone, and to remedy the
defects which experience has shown. and ,
IT needs be give new guarantees, to the ,
aggrieved States. Then, sir, you will have
singleness of purpose, and our southern {
ir'ends will ascertain the real sentiment {
Of the northern people in reference to q
their rights and position in the Union {
and while | confess that all the evidence ,
seems to be on the other side, have be- ,
lief that in such test the conservative s
element of the North would prevail-that {
the South would be met in a spirit Of JUS i
tice, fraternity, and even generosity.
But it may be asked, as it has been al, h
'eady, what is to become of the country h
n the meantime a? What measures shall !,
20 adopted to arrest the progress of disso. G
ut;on? | confess, Mr.. President, am G.
lot pref ared to answer that question: fc
That is more especially for our friends y,
rom those States which are moving for II
II they know no means of ar Il
esting the progress of separation, then, II
ir, we are truly ina hopeless condition. I
But am not so despondeut. | have still II
!ope that if there were such indications ,v
rom the North of a disposition to deal Il
indy OH the subject to h ear their south. 5,
rn brethren fairly and fully, and answer,
possible, iavorably their demands, there I
'ould be a feeling of reaction in the
outh that men would Use above the n,
MADNESS of the hour, ard stay the fatal fc
tep, at least for brief season, and an. 81
ther effort would be made to save the 8
government, and to satisfy the southern ly
tates that they can maintain their ri ghts ot
,ithin the Union. r,
Sir, am not of those who view this dis. OF
ase lightly. | am sensible that it is deep al
pated, and to some extent malignant, a
ut not incurable. 1t is not my PURPOSE al
o talk of distinctive propositions now W
ut l do say that the best possible reme>
y that could be applied, to silence forev- al
r the war Of elimination in the North, 1
ould be TO separate this question of sla~ si
cry, as far as possible, from the popular ki