Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-05-31
THE VOICE OF DOUGLAS.
Preservation Of the Union.
THE Duty OF PATRIOTS.

By invitation of the Legislature, Hon. Stephen
A. Douglas addressed the Legislature on the 25th
ult.. upon tie listing national troubles. He
said
arn not insensibie to he patriotic motives which
prompted youlto do me the honor to invite me to
address you on this occasion, upon the momentous
issues now presented in the condition Of our eoun-
try With heart Rled with sadness and grief
comply with your request.
For the first time since the adoption Of the Fed
eral Constitution, widespread conspiracy exists
20 destroy the best government the sun of heaven
ever shed its rays upon. Applause Hostile
armies are now marching Gpo1 the Federal Capital,
with view of planting revolutionary flag upon
its dome seizing the Hatoual archives, taking cap
tive the President elect by the hands of the people,
In the bands of secessionists and diSunioniSts. A
var of aggression and of exterminstion is being
gaged against the Government established by our
fathers The BOAST has gone forth by the Secretary
of War Of this revolutionary Government, that
the Arst day of May the revolutionary flag shall
Soat from the walls of the Capital at Washington,
and that on the fourth day of July, the reYolntion
ary army shall hold possession Of the Hall of Ir
dependence in Philadelphia.
The simple question presented to US is whether
we will wait for the enemy to carry out this boast
of making war upon cur soil, or whether we viii
rush as one man to the defence of the Government.
and its capital to defend it from the hands of all
aSsailants who have threatened it. [Great ap-
plaUSe.i Already the plraliCdi HlB mas Desn uu-
fnrled against the commerce Of the United States.
Letters of rnardue have been issued, appealing to
the nira.es OF the world 10 assemble under the
revolutionary Gag, aud commit depredatons earri-
ed on upder the stars and stripes. Hostile bat
teries have been planted upon Its batteries; custom
honsas have already beer established; and are
now REQUIRED TO pay tribute and taxes without hay
ing voice in making the laws, imposing them, or
having share in the distribution of them after
ahey have been collected. The question is whether
this war Of aggression shall procesd and we remain
with folded arms inactive spectators, or whether
2e shall meet the agSressors AT the threshhoid and
turn back the tide.
So long as there wac hope of peaceful solu.
tjcn. / prayed aud impiored for compromise.
can appeaI to my countrymen with confidence thai
have spared no effort, omitted no opportunity
to adopt peaceful solution OF all these troubles
and thus restore peace, happiness and fraternity tc
this government. When all propositions of peace
fjI there is but one course left the patriot
that ia &c rally Under that flag which has waved Owe
the OauItol from the days of Washington, anf
ayonnd the oovarurnent established by Washington
Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison Franklin, and thei
compeers. IYociferous cheering
what IL the aIledged cause for this invasion .
ihs rights and authority Of the Government OF tn
United States The cause alledged is thas the IN
stitutions of the Southern States not safe un
der the Federal Government. What evidence ha
been presented that they are insecnref appea
to every man within the sound Of my voice TO Tel
me at what period, from the time that Washngto
was inaugurated, .dowu TO this hour, have IN
rights of the Southern States--the rights OF th
slayeholders, been more secure THAI at this time
When, in the history Of this government, hay
they stood on so firm basis 2 For the first tim
III The history Of this Republic there is no r.
strinction by act of Congress upon the Institute
of slavery anywhere within the limits of the Unite
States. Then il cannat be the territorial qaestio
that has given them cause. When was the Fugitls
Slave Law executed with more fidelity than sinC
the Inauguration Of the present incumbent OF Il