Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-01-16
The past aua the Present.

The past aEd the Present.
Our country IS now passing through try
ing crisis, and the dissolution OF the Union
seems almost inevitable This is now conce-
ded even by those, who previous to the cleo
tiou OF Lincoln, sneered ct the idea Of the
sscession movement iU the Southern States
a.suming formidable proportions. There was
a time in the history of our country when the
name Of the Union was as potent as the |hls-
re of Roderick Dhu Oh Ibis native heath. IN
ia calling up his claDsren to bis support
Then the foul spirit OF sectionalism found no
ahiding pace in the land, and the citizen OF
South Carolina was ready 20 welcome the cit
;sen os Massachusetts in the spirit of sincerity
ana truth TO his home, as his friend and broth
er. The feeling Of alienation and distFust be-
tween the Northern aud Southern States did
aot then exist The Northern people then
manifested no dispersion 10 interfere with the
domestic institutions of their Southern breth-
ren, bat every one, en- the contrary, seemed
desirous to live like the Israelices during the
hsppiest days of their history, ''under his
swn vine aud fg tree with no one to moiest
or make him afraid" But those happy days
ere numbered among the things that were,
sud ,ha: ardent love of country which anln,a-
ted the breasts OF the men who fought the
battles Of the Revolution aud framed the Con-
stitutiou seems to have been ignored by their
degenerate sous. Il has given place to the
spirit of faction, personal ambition. and sense
less fanaticism The Union and tie Consti-
tuition are 40 longer spoken of as things sa-
cred, and men called statesmen and claiming
10 BE patriots, talk as coolly OF secession and
coercion. SIS they would of the Tariff or the
Pacific Railroad. They saeer at the idea OF
compromise, refuse to favor the calling of 6
convention 70 amend the Constitution, and,
rather than resign any OF their cherished
prejudices, are willing that the Union shall
be torn into hundred fragments There are
few men in both houses OF Congress who
sre patriots, but shey cannot obtain q hearing
N the coDclave Of secessiouists. coercionists.
and abolitionis:s. The voice of reason and
patriotism is drowned amid the clamot of con-
tending factions. animated by the foul spirit
OF sectionalsm.
I: is gratifying however. to know that in
.hese degenerate days. st least one branch of
the Government, amid the excitement, re-
mains true to the Union; unawed by the
threats Of Southern secessionists, or NortherH
ooe-cion:sts. At the commencement OF these
difficulties, President buchanan found him
self il a truly embarrassing position. On
ihe one hand be vas urged by Southern men
10 declare himself believer in the doctrine
ihs. Stale possesses the Constitutional right
90 seeede from the Union, ana not to do any
;hing calculated to discourage or prevent the
progress Of the Secession movement in the
,:aya States On the other hand, he was ur-
ged By Northern men to regard the State OF
South Carolina as in . state OF rebellion
against the general Government. ere yet she
had committed single overt act justifying
such q conclusion, and to transport troops
there, Tor the purpose of overawing the peo-
pis, and crushing ous the sacred right OF
free discussion. Like atlue patriot and sa-
sacious statesman, be turned deaf ear to
both parties, and determined fearlessly to pur-
sue the course to which bis calm unbiased
judgment pointed. He knew that the strength
of the government rested or the affections OF
The people. and that deprived of them, i,
would be the weakest and most ippotent gov
ernmens on the face Of the earth and a!th' C
be felt that it would De his duty to enforce
the execution of the United States laws in
South Carolina, whenever they were set a:
sought OF resisted, be was unwilling to pre-
cipi,ate civil war, by sending troops there,
while its citizens we're merely discussing,
rather bcisterously, question OF constitution
si Law. BY doing so, be would have render
sd himself amenabie to the following serious
charges Of tyranny brought against George
III. in the Declaration of Independence -
''For qusrtering large bodies of armed troops
smong u.s." He has KEEP. among Us il the
time of peace. standing armies. withou. the
eousu. Of cur Leg,s's4urss" In bs annual