Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-07-19

/ destroy constitutional liberty in this country.
/ The various conventions held in that portion
of tire country, for some years past, ostenSi-
! big for other objects, have only been the
means of feeling the pnhlie pulse 70 ascer-
taio If there was sufficient disease in the hodv
polite for dissolution. The cry of dlnger to
she institution of slavery has been mere
pTeteEt to rouse end excite the people. 10 ADAMS
idening the Consultation of the UDiou, the iea-
dets of the movement must have known that
| they we're greatly weakening the safeguards ;
and protection which we're necessary to the ex-
istence of that institution.
I 1t has been urged that Secession vas neces-
sary TO protect the slave interest of the South.
As usual thing, those who are interested in
species of property. are the best informed in
regard TO their own rights, and the most te-
naelons in msiDiaiuing them. Secession has
not originated smoug the large shareholders
Of the South, nor has it found among this
class its busiest and most ardent advocates.
The sections or the country in whitn the largest
slave interests have existed 10 this State have
heretofore been the most decided 10 support
OF the Union The votes given OF the last
November aud February elections in Eastern
and Western Nirginia, will show tha. the
shareholders themselves considered the safety
of their property as dependent upon the main
tenaBce of the Union. Another pertinent
fact may be mentioned in this connection -
II is, that in sections where slaves are uumer-
Gus, it is always much easier TO Introduce a
system of mob laW aud Intimidation to con-
troll the votes of the, people The constant
apprehension of servile insurreetion ma kes the
master an easy subject Of control IN crisis
/ like the present. Eastern aud Western Yir-
ginia are illustrations of the truth OF this
statement.
What sfilationr this great conspiracy has
hsd 10 toe Northern sites, remain yet un-
suown. The -puit wiicn has been reused
throughout the North his carried all opposi-
( tion before IT, But the ex ant Of the treason
sble plot has not been fads DEVELOPED. BE.
fore rhe designs of the conslirators we're made
manifest, thousands OF gond urn sympsthiz4d
WITH The effort, az they gtrded il, OF the
Soufh to maintain their Constitutional rights:
bu, these have sll abaninne3 iasm when the
true purpose was ascertsia-d. IL there are
any in ;5s North, or in b. Border States,
who still adhere 10 the conspiracy, they will
attempt to aid its object Us indirect means;
by opposing and caviiling Il Ibe efforts to which
the Government, ia q struggle for existence
may use iu its oRn defence, and by attempting
TO raise popular outcry against o1ercon. and
advocating a peacaabls separation. A bold
stand for Secession would scarcely be attempt
ed; but those who sympa'jz To the leaders
| of rebellion will seek by esvert aud indirect
means To aid the object Of the conspirstoIs.
There Is only ote question DOW for each
+ A merican cetizsn 10 ieojis ia his controversy:
Z n Il
/ Constitution which has contributed so long
aud so greatly to the happiness and prosperity
of the people, aud to transmit its blessings to
] cur prosperity Or, do yos desire the Union
! broken up, and sD oligarchy or military des-
potsm established in It's stead9 The lenders
of the South are striving for the latter. The
Government of the United States is exertiug
| It's whole force to maintain The integrity of
7 the former? There csa be no neutral ground.
I The Secession leaders have declared that
! they desire no comprosniso, except the 0Ucou.
di;ioual surrender to them of the objects they
have been aiming to accomplish, and toe con-
sent OF the Government 10 It's own destruc-
ton. The very proposition Of compromise
places false issue before the country. 1t
implies that the Federal Government has com
mitted some great wrong which ought to be
remedied, before peace can be restored when
in fact the leaders in the South have eontroll-
ed the legislation of the country for years,
and the laws now 10 existence we're made, or
suggested. by themselves when in power.
The position of this State is peculiar one
at this moment Last November, at the
Presidential election, il gave upgards of six.
teen thousand majority for BeH aud Douglas,
both Union candidates for the Presidency
Their principal competitor was loudly proclaim
ed as also true to the Union; and throughout
the canvass, sDy imputstion of favorlug disu-
MON was Indignantly denied by the advocates
of all the candidates. At the election for
members Of the Convention in Febrasry las.
there was majority of over sixty thousand
votes given TO the Union candidates and the
people BY an equal majority determined that
no act of thar Convection should ehange the
relations Of the State to the Federal Govern
nent unless satisfied by the popular vote. Yet
The delegates to thar Convention passed the
Ordinance Of Secession, and attached the
Stale to the Sout hern league, called tue Con-
federste States; and TO render the step ire
irievable and defeat the whole object of re-
quiriug ratification Of the people 10 render
such acts valid, they put them into effect i'm
mediately; and before the vote could be taken
on the question of ratification, transferred the
whole military force of our State to the Presi-
dent Of the Confederaoy, and surrendered to
him military possession of our territory.
When the chains bad been thus fastened
upou Us, we were called to vote upon the or
! dinaBee of Secession. The same reign of
terror which compelled Union mea to vote as
they did in the convention, was brought to
bear on the people themselves. Vast nunl-