Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-03-28
BELLEF0NTE. PA, THURSDAY MORNING. MAR. %, 1861.
Peace or War.

The Democrats seem very anxious to con-
vince the country that the policy of the Ads
ministration towards the South is ,Oar. Sen
ator Breckenridge, following the example of
Mr.. Douglas, made a very elaborate speech
on Monday, Of which the whole object was
to show that the Presidents Inaugural indi-
Gated hostile purpose towards the Southern
States. The language of the Democratic
Press Throughout tho Country ie of the same
kind.
It is not easy to see what patriotic purpose
is to be served by these endeavors. The
President has declared in the most explicit
terms which language will furnish, that his
policy is peace, that he abhors the thought
of war between the two sections Of tho copn-
try, and that the public peace shall not be
disturbed by any act of the Federal Govern
ment so far as he has the power tc prevent
it. The only possible way in which civil
war can be brought about is by the wahton,
hostile action of the seeded States. If they
wish war, they can undoubtedly have it. 1t
is in their power to bring about collision.
They can commence hostilities by making an
attack upon either Fort Sumter or Fort Pick
ens-and where they would end when once
comm enced, no one can tell. Such cetas-
trophe would be deeply to be deplored :
and it is unquestionably the duty, as it will
be the policy, of the Administration, to re-
frain from every thing which can give any
shadow Of justification for such a course.
But no one can fail to see that after all,
the issue of peace or war rests exclusively
With the South. If the leaders of the new
ConfeQeracy deem it for their interest to
plunge the country iato war, they will doubt
less do SO. It is quite possible that they
may decide in favor of war. They will end
it very difficult to keep SO large an army as
they are raising, in the field, and they will
find it still more difficult to keep the seni-
lneut of their people ur to secessiOn-piteh,
without war. How long they would sus-
tain themselves after war should be commen-
ced, it may be worth their while to consider.
But they may deem it necessary to the very
existence of their new Government to force
an issue which will for the moment Override
all prudence and all reflection. II this shall
be their policy, nothing that the Federal
Government can do will avert war,-if not,
we shall have no WARRIOR the President
will do everything in bis power to avert such
calamity.
The Democrats insist that war must follow
any attempt to collect the revenue, to hold
the forts or enforce the laws in any Of the
Southern States. That will depend upon the
manner in which the attempt is made and
upon the disposition and policy Of the new
Confederacy. If they wish war, they will
seize upon this p:etext to commence it. IF
not, they will avoid the issue unless it is so
forced upon them as to render evasion i'm
possible, le,-and of this we have little fear
We believe the President will do everything
in his power to preserve the peace. In all
such efforts he will have the support of the
people In both sections. If war is forced up
on US in spite Of his endeayors. by the mad
ness or desparation of the seeded States, be
will meet the issue boldly and promptly.-in
fpll ouEdenee of being sustained by those
whose honor and interests are committed to
bis hands.-N T. Tines