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

mond. 1t may be said that tho electors
we're pledged in horo or to their constitu-
cnLs, although left free by the constitu-
ton but we believe if it were possible
to take the sense Of the Northern people
to day, Lincoln would be in the minority.
/ His majority in the Northern States is
little over q quarter of a million of votes,
and as many as half 4 million Of his sup
porters have deserted him since the elec,
ton. In this number we'couut the mes
chanics and manufacturers, who sec now
that ruin stares them in tie face, and the
very large number Of respectable voters
who threw their influence upon the opp J.
Isition side in order that the dem
ocratic party might receive its death blow.
All these persons were misled for the mo-
ment; they are now sincerely sorry for
What they have done, and exceedingly
anxious to roccdo from tke extreme posi-,
lion into which the black republican lea
ders enticed them.
And now that the work has been fin
ished, now that the last straw has escap.
ed from The clutch of the drowning man.
the 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 las
been inaugurated. This is evident from
the Facts that the President elect has fail,
ed TO indicate in any official way his prob
able policy that the general tone Of tho
presses in his interest is defiant rather
than conciliatory that the leaders Of the
party, almost without exception, condemn
the course Of Weed that Grow, at the
outset Of the session, lugged in his Home
stead Bill, in order to staye off discussion
upon the topic which was uppernost in
the mlnd Of ev cry member, and that thr-
ty-eight republicans voted against Bote.
ler's resolution. We do not envy such
men as Grow, Bmlingame, Sherman, Hick.
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-tho South pre-
pairing to go out Of the Union-the
friends Of the new administration sitting
with folded hands-the material interests
of the country paralyzod--it b. hooyes ev-
cry good citizen to look the danger in the
E,cc. If there is a doubt as to the immi-
nence Of the crisis it may be resolved 10y
the letters and speeches Of calm, conscr,
vatiye men, like Mr.. Stephens, of Gcor>
gia, and Senator Hunter, Of Virginia.
The former lately gave to the country q
speech which will live forever with the
Lest efforts Of the patriots aud sages cf
every epoch. He now writes short pri-
vate letter, 10y which it is evident that he
has the most serious apprehensions. Sen,
ator Hunter revieNs the whole question,
and shows that coercion is out of the
question. The Senator's letter is long,
out it will be attentiyely read notwth,
standing. As to what is before us no man
can tell. Much depends upon the action
of the Congressional Committee Of Thirty
three, No body of men since tho world
began has had a greater, a more solemn
and a more Important responsibility in
its charge than this committee. If the
cotton States can be induced TO keep quiet
until an amendment to tho constitution
has been acted upon, all may yet be we'll.
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, l. c., that secession is rcvolu-
tion, and that revolution would be even
more disastrous to the MOI la than TO the
South. Mr., Stephens is quito right. In
the event Of secession, the real battle of
the South would be fought in tie North,
where there are fifteen hundred thousand
arrayed in opposition to the doctrines Of
the republican party. The government
would have its hand full in endeaY Yoring
to suppress anarchy and treason at the
North, and therefore could not carry out
Webbs idea and whip the South into sub.
mission. We have also, in all our large
cities, what are called the dangerous class
Ises-thieyes, rowdies and vagabonds-naN
tive ard foreign, VINO would seize upon
the disorders of .he State as 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.