The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-06-07

| condition Of Great Britain and the American
colonies for seven years after the declaration of
! Independence. The rebellion had progressed
and fnatured into revolution, with Govern
ment de fdcto, and an army and navy to defend
| it. Great Britain, regarding the complaints of
the colonies unfounded, refused to yield to their
| demands, and proceeded to reduce them to obe-
| dlence not by the enforcement of laws, but
| by military force, armies and naves, according
| to the rules and laws o; war. Captives taken
IN battle with arms in their hands, fighting
against Great Britain, were not executed as
traitarS, but held as prisoners of war, and ex-
changed according to the usages OF civilized
natlons. The laws OF nations, the principles of
humanity, OF civilization, and Christianity, de-
manded that the Government de factO should
be acknowledged and treated as such. While
| the right to prosecute war for The purpose of
reducing the revolted provinces TO obedience
still remained, yet it was military remedy, and
could only be exercised according TO the estab-
ished principles of war.
It Is said that, after one of the earliest en-
gagementS, the British general threatened to
execute as TRAITORS all Inc prisoners he had taken
battle; and that General Washington replied
tha. he, too, had taken some prisoners, and
would shoot two for one until the British gen.
eral should respect the laws of war and treat
his prisoners accordingly. May divine Provi-
denee, IN His infinite wisdom and mercy, save
our country from the humiliation and caIami-
| ties which now seem almost inevitable. South
Carolina has already declared her independence
| OF the United States has expelled the Federal
authorities from her limits, and established a
! Government de facto, with military force to
sustain it. The revolution is complete, there
I being no man within her limits who denies the
authority of her government or acknowledges
allegiance 10 that of the United States There
is every reason to believe that seven other
States will soon follow her example and much
grqnnd to apprehend that the other sIavehold-
ing States will follow them.
How are we going 10 prevent an alliance be-
tween these seeding States By which they may
establish Federal Government, at least de fac
10, for themselves? If they shall do so, and
expel the authorities of the United States from
their limits, as South Carolina has done, and
others are about 10 do, so that there shall be no
human being within their limits who acknowl-
efses allegiance o tho United etdCes, now are
We going 10 enforce the lawsa Armies and ma
vies can make war, but cannot enforce laws IN
this country. The laws can be enforced only
by the civil authorities, assisted by the military
as posse c0mitatUs, when resisted IN executing
judicial process. Who is to issue the judicial
process in State where there is no Judge, no
! court, no Judicial tunctIonary Who is to per-
form the duties OF marshal in executing the
process where no man will or dare accept
othce Who are 10 serve on juTies while every
citizen is particeps criminiS with the accused
How are you going TO comply with the Con-
stltntIon 10 respect to jury trial, where there
are no men qualified to serve on the Jury
| agree that the laws should be enforced | hold
that our Government is clothed with the power
and duty OF using all the means necessary 10
| the enforcement of the laws, according TO the
| Constitution and iaWs The President is sworn
| 10 the faithful performance Of this duty. l do
| not propose 10 inquire, at this time, how far,
and with what fidelity, the President has per-
formed that duty. His conduct and duty, in
this regard, including acts OF commission and
omission, while the rebellion was in its incipi-
ent stages, and when confined TO a few indIvId-
ualS, present very different question from that
which we are now discussing after the revo-
| luton has become complete, and the Federal
Authorities have been expelled, and the Govern
ment de faCt0 put into practical operation, and
| in The unreStrained and unressted exercise OF
I u
| local and national.
! fire aOe prepared for war 10 not mean
| that kind of preparation which consists of ar
mics and navies, and supplies and munitions of
| war; but are we prepared IN OUR HEARTS for
war with our own brethren and kindred? |
confess | am not. While affirm that the Con-
! stituton Is, and was intended 10 be, a bond OF
! perpetual Union while l can do no act and
utter no word that will acknow ledge or coun-
| tenance the right OF secession while affirm
the right and duty OF the Federal Government
to use all legitimate means to enforce the laws,
| put down rebellion, and suppress insurrectIon,
! l will not mediate war, nor tolerate the idea,
J until every effort at peaceful adjustment shah
| have been exhausted, and the last ray Of hope
shall have deserted the patriots heart. Then,
and not TIL then, will | consider and determine
what course my duty to my country may re-
| quire me 10 pursue in such an emergency. IN
( MY OPINION WAR IS DISUNlON, GER
| TAIN, INEVITABLE, IRREVOCABLE. /
AN FOR PEACE TO SAVE THE UNION.
! Nor do | sympathize at all in The apprehen-
sions and misgivings hear expressed about CO.
cTciOR We are told that inaSmuch as our Gov
eminent is founded upon the will of the people,
OF the consent OF the governed therefore CO.
ercion is incompatible with repubicanism.
Sir, the word government means COERCION
There can be no Government without coercion.
Coercion is the vital principle upon which all
Governments rest. Withdraw the right of CO.
erclon, and you dissolve your Government. II
every man would perform bis duty and respect
the rights of his neighbors voluntarily, there
would be no necessity for any Government on
earth. The necessity Of government is found
10 consist in the fact that some men will not dc
right unless coerced to do so. The object of al