Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-13


Calamiiles which now seem almost incvit-
able South Carolina has already declared
her Independence OF the United S,ntes
has expelled the Federal authorities from
her limits, and established Government
dc 10, with n military force to sustain it.
The revolution is complete, there being
nc man within her limits who denies the
authority OF her government or ackuowl.
edges allegiance to that Of the United
States. There is every reason TO believe
that seven other States will soon follow
her example and much ground to appre.
hcnd that the othe: slayeholding States
will follow them.
"lloT are we going to prevent an ALI
Ahcd hetwoen these seceding States by
which they may establish a Federal Cows
eminent at least de .fact0, FOR themselves
IT they shall do so, and eXpel the author
tiles Of tho United States from their linn
its,as South Carolina has done and others
are about to do, so that there shall be no
human being within their boundaries who
acknowledges allegiance to the United
States, how are We going to enforce the
laws? Armies and nayics can make wars,
but cannot enforce laws in this country.
The laws can be enforced only. 10y the civil
authorities, assisted by the military as a
posse coH,ttuiyS, when resisted in executing
judicial process. Who is to issue the ju-|
dicial process la State where there is no
judge, no court, no judicial funclionary?
Who is TO perform the duties of marshal in
executing the process where no man will
OF dare accept Office? WHO are to serve
on juries while every citizen is partccpS
c,tD,utS with the accused? How are you
going 10 comply with the Constitution in
respect TO q juy trial, where there are no
men qualified to serve on the jury? !
agree that the laws should be enforced.
a | hold that our Government is clothed
with the power and duty OF using all the
means necessary to the Enforcement of the
laws, according 10 the Constitution and hwS. go
! Ike president is sworn to the faithful per.
tormance of this duty. HIS conduct and
duty IN this regard, including acts of com.
mission and omission. while the rebellion
was in its incipient stages, and wkpn con
fined to few individuals, present very
different question from that which we are
now dlscuSsing-Aiter the revolution has
become complete and the Federal auth
critics have been expelled, and the Gov
eminent dc tacto put into practical opera
ton, aud ~ the unrestraiued and unreSis
tel exercise of all the powers and func-
tions of Government, local and national.
"But we are told that secession is wrong,
and that South Carolina has no right to
secede. agree that it is wrong, unlaw-
ful, unconstitutional, criminal. In my
opinion, South Carolina had no right TO
sesede; but she has done Il. She has decla
red her independence OF us, effaced the
last vestige OF our civil authority, estab
lished foreign Government, and is now
engaged in the preliminary steps to open
Diplomatic intercourse with the great
, powers ofthe world. What next? II her
act was illegal, unconstitutional and
wrong have we no remedy? Unquesti)n-
ably we have the tight to use all the pow
er and force necessary to re gain possession
of that portion of the United States, in
order that we may again enforce our Con-
stitution and laws upon the inhabitants
We can en- force our laws in those States,
Territories, and places only which are
within our possession. 1t often happens
that the territorial rights of a country eX-
tend beyond the limits of their actual pos
sessions. That is our case ut present in
respect to South Carolina. Our right OF
jurisdiction over that State for Federal
purposes, according to the Constitution,
has not been destroyed or impaired by the
ordinance of secession, or any act of the
convention, or of the de facto government.
The right remains; but the possession is
lost, tor the time being "llow shall we
regaiu the possession? 2" is the pertinent
I I, I,., l,.,
peaceable adjustment Of the matters in
controversy
Are cc prepared for ,oar? | do not mean
that kind of preparation which consists OF
armies and nav:es, aud supplies, and mu
ritious Of war but are we prepared IN
OUR HEARTS for war with our own brethren
and kindred? ] confess | am not. While
| confess that the Constitution is, and was
intended to be, bond ofperpetual Union
while can do no act and utter no word
that will acknowledge or countenance the
; right of secession while affirm the right
and duty of the Federal Government to
use all legitimate means 10 enforce the
laws, put down rebellion, and suppless
insurrection, ! will not mediate war, uoI
tolerate the idea, until every effort al
. IeHCclhl NNlusAllItul olldil iitsNN bt0b NNa
hausted, aud the last ray of hope shall
have deserted the patriots heart. Then,
and not till then, will consider and de-
termine what course my daiy to my coun
try may require me to pursue in such an
emergency. In my opinion, war is disuu'
ion, certain, inevitable. irrevocable. am
for peace to save the Union.
i
"There are several modes in which this
irritating question slavery may be with'
drawn from Congress, peace restored, the
rights of the States maintained, and the
Union rendered secure. One of them
one to which can cordially assent-has
been presented by the venerable Senator
from Kentucky, Mr.. Crittenden. The
journal Of the committee OF thirteen shows
that voted Cor it in committee. ! am
prepared to vote for it again. | shall not
occupy time now in discussing the ques.
tion whether my vote TO make partition
between the two sections, instead Of refer
ring the question to the people, viii be
consistent with my previous record or not.