The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-01-24

our exchanges and currency.
Yet the elements Of general prosperity
are everywhere diHUsed amongst us, and
nothing is wanting but 4 return Of conf
douce to enable Us to reap the rich reward
Of our diversified industry and enterprise.
Should the restitution OF confidence III
business and commercial circles be long
delayed, the Legislature, in its wisdom
viii, l doubt not, meet the necessities Of
tie crisis ia . generous and patriotic sPir-
il.
Thus far our system Of Government
has fully answered the expectations OF
It's founders, and has demonstrated the
capacity Of the people Tor if-goyernment.
/ The country has advanced In wealth,
knowledge and power, and secured to ali
Z classes OF It's citizens the blessings Of peace
prosperity and happiness. The workings
OF our simple and natural political orglni-
/ zaaous have given direction and energy TO
individual and associated enterprise, main
/ tanned public order, aad promoted the
/ welfare Of all parts OF our vast and eE-
/ pauding country. No one who knows
/ the history Of Pennsylvania and under
stands the opinions and feelings Of her
/ people, can justly charge Us with hostii-
/ ty to our brethren Of other States. We
regard them as friends and ielloW-couu-
! trymen, III whose welfare we feel kin
/ dred interest: and we recognize, in their
/ broadest extent, all our constitutional OBJ
! legations to them. These we are ready
and willing to observe generously and fra
tcrnaliv in their letter and spirit, with
unswcrvin@ fidelity.
The election Of President Of the Uni
/ ted States, according to the forms Of the
/ Constitution, has recently been made a
/ prcteNt Tor disturbing the peace Of the
country by a deliberate attempt TO wrest
from the Federal Government the powers
which the people conferred on it when
. they adopted the Constitution. BY this
movement the question whether the gov
arnmont Of the United States embOuies
the prer0gatigcs, rights and powers Of
sovereignty, OF merely represents, Tor spe-
/ cihc purposes, u multitude Of Independent
. communities, cOnIedGrated IN d league
which any one Of them may dissolve at
will, IS now placed directly before the
American people, UrhapPily this ques-
ton is not presented in the simple form
Of political discussion, but complicated
with the passions and jealUusics Of I'M
pending or actual conflict.
There is nothing in the life OF Mr.
Lincoln, nor in any OF his acts or decla-
rations before or since his election to war
rant the apprehension that his Admins
tration will be unlrieudiy to the local
institutions OF any OF the States. No sen
timeuts but those OF kindness and concili-
alton have been expressed or entertained
by the constitutional majority which eiec
ted him and nothing has occurred 10
Justify the excitement which seems to
have blinded the judgement Of \ part Of
the people, and Is pcecipitating them into
revolution.
The supremacy Of the National Gov
erument has been SO fully admitted and
so LONG cherished by the people Of Penn
sviyaAia, and SO completely has the con
viction OF its nationality and sovereignty
directed their political action, that they
are surprised at the perJinacity with which
portion Of the people elsewhere main
tain the opposite view. The traditions OF
the past, the recorded teachings Of the
Fathers Of the Republic, the security OF
their freedom and prosperity, and their
homes for the future, are all in harmony
with an unialtering allegiance to the Ma
tional Union, the maintenance Of the
Constitution and the enforcement Of the
laws. They have faithfully adhered to
the compromises OF our great National
compact, and willingly recognized the pc
cuiiar institutions and rights OF property
OF the people Of other States. Every true
Pennsylvanian admits that his first civil
and political duty is to the general gov
ernment, aud he frankly acknowledges
= his obligation to protect the constitutional
rights Of all who live under its authori ty
and enjoy its blessings.
[ have already taken occasion to say
publicly, and now repeat, that if we
have any laws upon our statute books
which infringe upon their lights OF the
people Of any Of the States, or contravent
: any law Of the Federal Government, OF
: obstruct its execution, they ought to be
repealed We ought not to hesitate tt
: exhibit to other States that may have en-
acted laws interfering with the rights, o,
obstructive OF the remedies which belong
/ constitutionally to all American citizens,
= an example Of magnanimity and of implic
4 it obedience to the paramount law, and b,
= Il prompt repeal Of every statute that ma,
5 even by implication, be liable to reasona
i bic objection, do our part to remove ever.
e lust cause Of dissatisfaction with our leg
i islation.
:; PENNSYLVANIA has never faltered in he