The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-01-24
law and Order.

a
stimtiou the organic law of the land, to
be maintained by the authority of the !
Government, and, if need be, by the con !
centrated force of the nation-Or Is 1t /
rope of sand, with no power Of cohesion as
against rebellion, and no power Of resist |
ance as against war? The crisis is upon !
us. Either treason must be subdued or
we fall into anarchy and civil war. This
is the alternative that must be met, be
met promptly, be met decidedly, be met
not with empty defamation in Congress,
but with all the Legitimate powers OF the
Government and the determined attitude
of the people.
/ Treason, even under the wise and careful
/ definition of the Constitutional trt,
''levying war against the United States,
has been committed by citizens Of South
/ Carolina War has actually been levied
against the United States, and overt acts Of
war have been committed in the harbor
Of Charleston The danger is imminent
that an attempt will be made to seize
Washington itself, and to subvert the
Government by military force.
In this state of things, the question Is
no longer one Of Union or Disuuion, OF
slavery or anti-slavery, Of compacts or
compromises, Of sections or parties-lt
is the one question Of Government or An
archy. Can any man hesitate which side
to take upon such question? The op-
ponents of slavery 50 often slandered as
fanatical and revolutionary, are found
steadfast, earnest upon the side of law and
t order They do not seek, they would
2 not sanction, any abuse Of law, and viola
t ton of the Constitution, even in the inter
1 est of their own party. But they are
: resolutc tor law and order, as indispensable
i to the very existence of Society. And
/ with hardly an exception, this is the united
= sentiment of the North and West
But that sentiment should find prompt
!, and adequate expression before the terror:
l, Of anarchy are upon us. The treason anC
/ rebellion now SO rampant at the Soutf
/ must be quelled, without hesitation o
l. reserve We believe that even now /
e may be qucllcd, without any violen
collision between the North and tn
te South.
IN First of all the North and West shoul
d. show a determined front against rebellion
is They should hold themselves ready, an
C. let it be known that they are ready, to 9
of to any extremity III maintaining the Gov
ne ernment of the Country as it Is. If tha
ne determination is known at the South
he there will he no fighting. The rebel
ry know we'll where the money and the pow
ut er lie, and they know that they could nC
march against the North without tn
re- danger Of insurrection in their rear
-e They would not provoke a war that mu:
d be ruinous to themselves.
lst But to guard against the actual subve
ry sion Of the Government by an audacior
OF surprise, preparations should be made
to defend Washington at all hazards. Her
ro- Just now, is the chief point of danger
- The people must be awake to this an
la must keep the Government awake to
'ed as the decisive moment approaches. II
Legislature Of New York have actC
ng promptly and nobly IN rendering the IA
re of the state to the General Governmer
;lle That is the way to peace.
ec- This danger averted, it will require /
We, tie beside moral coercion from the FEEDER
IN Government, and the reactionary feelil
llte in the South itself to subdue the rebellio
ing Apeople deprived of postal communicate
and denied all commerce by an effecti
The blockade, rent by faction, threatened wi
''o- bankruptcy and starvation, must sooner
'IeS later return to reason. Our only ft
would be-a civil war in the South itse
mes demanding the force of the United Sta
or to quell it. Let the voice and action
mas the country be prompt and determin
IN for Law and Order. To talk of comp
aed mise now, is to aid and abet treason
'ort Ner York Independent.