Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-01-16

WHAT CAN BE DONE

There is no use in any one trying to close
his eyes to the real condition of Cur country.
So far as the action of the Gulf States can do
it, a dissolution of our beloved Union is ac-
eomplished. Four of them have declared their
connection with the United States severed,
South Carolina having passed an ordinance to
that ei1ec. on the Goth Dec, Mississippi on the
9th January, Florida on the 10th, and Alaba-
ma on the l1th and there is scarcely doubt
that others will soon follow. Several OF them
have seized upon the forts and other public
property within their limits, and the first
named is in open, armed rebellion, and has
even fired into vessels sent to Charleston har
sor by order of the Federal Government.
Thus far the wisdom of Congress has failed to
devise anything that seemed at all calculated
to satisfy the Sccessionists. Every plan of ad-
justment has, We believe, been contemptuous
ly rejected by them, and every step taken to
conciliate them appears to have but complica-
ted and embarrassed, instead of helping to set
tie the difficulty. The lenent course pursued
by the President has been regarded by them as
an acknowledgment on the part of the Govern
ment that it was too weak to enforce its laws
and protect the public property. In short, it
looks as if the Secessionsts desire no adjust
ment, and are determined to go ont Of the
Union, without regard to consequences.
AS these facts force themselves upon the
public mind, every good citizen is anxiously
jnquiring, sswhat shall We do to be saved'' as
a nation, but as yet.no. one has been able to
give an answer that is received with any con-
siderable degree of confidence. Some of the
Breckinridge Democracy, it is true, are con-
tinually advising, as remedy, that the Re-
publicans shall "retrace their steps," from
whence is not clearly set forth. We believe
our heart throbs as strongly for the Union as
that of any man in it ; We believe We are ac-
tuated by fully as patriotic motives; we are
willing also TO accede to any fair and honora-
ble arrangement that will settle the present
difficulties; bnt it is asking entirely too much
to require the Republicans to give up all they
have contended for, when Coy. Hicks, of Ma
ryland, states in his recent address that the
leading spirits of the South Carolina Conven-
tion hold that 1t is not the election of Mr.. Lin
coin and the non enforcement of the fugitive
slave law, which constitute their grievances,
but declare the real cause to date back as far
as 1898. Taking, then, all the circumstances
. and facts together, it seems scarcely possible
that anything short of firm, unyelding ex-
ercse of the power at the command OF the
General Government, will check the Dsunion
movement, and that. too, might fail. We are
not without hope, however, that something
may yet be done. Indeed, the speech of Mr..
Seward, delivered in the U. S. Senate on last
Saturday, it is thought will induce the South
crn States that are still loyal to the Union to
make a strenuous effort to counteract the rash
and prccipitate measures of South Carolina,
Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. If we fare
mistaken in this expectation, the only course
left the people of the North to pursue, will lbe,
to plant themselves firmly upon the immutable
principles of Justice and Right, and leave the
consequences to HIN who shapes and controls
the destiDies OF all nations.