The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-08-29

eo0 laws, We dTe SuUmissiOuleIsS aud
when they have pronounced this word,
they suppose they have inp puted to us the
sum Of all human abasement. Well, let
1t be confessed; We are 'sub nissionists, y
| and, weak and spiritess as it may be
deemed By some, We glory in the position
We occupy. For example. the law says,
Thou shalt not steal" we submit to this
law, and would not for the worlds worth
rob our neighbor of bis forts, bis arsenals
his arms, his munitions of war, his hospi-
tai stores. or anything that is his. In
deed, so Impressed are we with the obli-
cations of this Law, that We would no
more think of plundering from our neigh
Dor half million of dollars, because
found in his unprotected mints, than We
would think of filching purse from his
pocket in crowded thorougbfare. Write
US down, therefore, "subpissionists. =
Again: The law says. Thou shalt not
swear falsely" we submit to this law,
and while in the civil or military service
of the country, with an oath to support
the Constitution of the United States res.
ting upon our conscieuOes. we would not
for any earthly consideration engage 10
the form alton or execution of con-
spiracy to subvert that very Constitu.
tion and with it the government to which
it has given birth. Whrite us down,
therefore. again "suhmission!sts." Yet,
again: When president has been elec-
ted in strict accordance with the form and
spirit of the Constitution, and has been
regularly installed into Office, and is hon.
estly striving to discharge his duty by
snatching the Republic from the jaws of
gigantic treason which threatens to
crush it. We care not what bis name may
or may not be, or what the designation Of
his political party, or what the platform
on which he stood during the Presiden-
tial canvass; We believe We fulfill in the
sight of earth and heaven our highest OBJ
legations to our country in giving to him
an earnest and loyal support in the strug-
gle which he is engaged.
Nor are we at all disturbed by the
fippant taunt that in thus submitting to
the authority Of our government we are
necessarily towards. We know whence
this taunt comes, and we estim ate it at
its true value. We hold that there
is higher courage in the performance
of duty than in the commission of crime.
The tiger Of the jungle, and the canuibal
of the South Sea Islands, have that cour-
age in which the reyolutiousts Of the day
make their especial boast; the angels Of
God, and the spirits of just men made
perfect, have had, and have, that cour-
aye which submits to the laws. Lucifer
was a non-subD bDissionist, and the first Sc
cessionist of whom history has given US
any account, aud the chains which he
wears ftly express the fate due to all
who openly defy the laws of their Crea-
tor and of their country. He rebelled be-
cause the Almighty would not yield him
the throne of Heaven. The principle Of
the Southern rebellion is the same. In
deed, in this submission to the laws is
found the chief distinction between good
men and devils. A good man obeys the
laws of truth, of honesty, of mortality,
and all those laws which have been en-
acted by competent authority for the gov
ernment and protection of the country in
which be lives; devil obeys bis own fe-
rocious and profigate passions. The
principle on which this rebellion pro.
ceeds, that laws have in themselves no
sanctions, no binding force upon the con.
science, and that every man. under the
promptings of interest or passion or ca.
price, may, at will, and hoporably. too
strike at the government that shelters
him, is one of utter demoralization, and
should be trodden out, as you would
tread on spark that has fallen on the
roof of your dwelling. It's unchecked
prevalence would resolve society into
chaos, and leave you without the slight
est guarantee for life, liberty or property
1t is time that. in their majesty, the peo'
Die of the United States should make
known to the world that this government
in its dignity and power, is something
more than a moot court, aud that the cit.
izen who makes war upon it is traitor
not only in theory but in fact, and should
have meted out to him a traitors doom
The country wants no bloody sacrifices
but it must and will have peace, cost
what it may.
Before closing, desire to say few
words on the relations of Kentucky tc
the pending rebellion; and, as we are al
Kentuckians here together tonight, anc
as thi. is purely family matter. whict
concerns the honor of us all, | hope we
may be permitted to speak to each oihel
upon il which entire freedom. L shall
not detain you with observations on th'
hostile and defiant position assumed b.
the Governor of your state. In bis repl.
to the requisition made upou him for vol
teers under the proclamation OF tn
President, he has, 10 my judgment, writ
ten and 6uished his own history. his epl
taph ipcladed, and it is probable that i
future the world will little concern itsel
as to what his excellency may propose t
do. or as to what be may propose not t
do. The response has made for Ken
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