The Kingwood chronicle. [volume] (Kingwood, Va. [W. Va.]) 1861-1861, 1861-04-27

zrom tfe .NutiouM I4te7heeuco4.
Position and Duty Of tie Border
States.

It was Of course to he expected that the
States would ca9erlx seize upon the issues
raised ly tie attack Oh Fort sumter ard ~
the sub~eqIeEj- W. may S;iy conSelNent, proc
lamation Of President Lincoln. tor the pur-
pose IT urging al immediate Identification Of
these States with the fortunes of The Southern
Conteelcracy We have already sufficiently
indicated or profound regret 1T the widening
di~senSunS and profound rescntments which
have been disclosed if lot created b. both ot
these developments, and have sought distinct
ly to indicate our own views Of public duty.
without countenancng the overthrow OF the
Government on the one hand as without
pledging our adhesion to the undeveloped
plans Of the Administration in the change Of
policy upon which ii has entered 1t was of
course to be foreseen that hostile assault on
the property and flag Of the United States at
Charleston, however preclpltated when ac-
companied by the Civilizations and threats Of
the yietors. would wake deep feeling Of re-
sistance throughout large portion Of the
country and when to this was added epub-
lie declaration Of the Secretary Of War Of the
Confederate States that If the independence
Of the new Conieleraey was not speedily re-
coenized by the United States. the confeder-
ate flag would soon wake over the Capitol At
Washington we should perhaps be rather
grieved than surprised al the direction pub
lie affairs have taken
The Government Of the Jnted States has
a most undoubted right Ia defend itself from
threatened attack. and to protect and pre-
serve the public property until BY the award
OF the people, ii Congress OF General Con-
vention assembled, it shall be relieved from
that responsibility. The attempt. and thus
FAR the unobstructed attempt. Of the seven
Seeded States. to decide and determine all
pending questions III a sense adverse to the
rights of the United States. has seemed to IL,
without any defence in law. right, or reason
But, while thus holding we have none the
less felt that these questions were too grave
and large to be adjusted on the part Of the
United States by Executive OF administrative
hexpedlent>. and therefore it is that we have
counseled their reference to the arbitramcnt
OF a National Council Of all the loyal States
We still think this would have been the wiser
course, if any thing like definite solution
of the questions at issue between the United
States and the Seeded States enters within
the purpose of the Administration. What
. the people of the whole country desired is
some plan ofadjustmcnt which while leaving
the General Government perfectly free to
maintain It's rights and dignity, shall rally to
its support enough Of moral force to put a
check to usurpation and aggression on the one
hand and relieve the Government on the
other from the necessity Of yindicating its
authority BY the sword, before as yet all po-
litical remedies for the evils that aff1ict the
country shall have been exhausted.
In case war should ensue between the
Government Of the United States and the
States which have renounced their allegiance