Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-08-14
SeCessEOnists.

There is growing disposi ton here and else
where, among a certain class of the community,
to denounce as secessionists all whose views with
regard to certain measures affecting the admins
tration of the National Government, happen to
clash with theirs. On this subject, we have a
few calm and dispassionate words to say, and in
doing so, we shall speak a freeman as one
who fully comprehends bis rights as a man and
as an American citizen We regard the right Of
fearlessly expressing views witt. regard to all
measures of a character calculated to affect our
country either for veal or woe, as among the
most invaluable of the rights guaranteed us by
the Constitution The right of free discussion, is
a home-bred right, ireside privilege, and is
therefore justly dear to every American who
properly appreciates those free Institutions, which
have made ours the freest well as the most
prosperous nation on the face of the globe. We
know that it is not fashionable among those who
are in the habit of denouncing as seccssonists all
whose views with regard to public men and mea-
sures happen to differ from theirs, to regard with
feelings of reverence the Constitution of their
country, but we hope they will not feel wrathful
when we remind them. that the following is the
concluding portion Of the first article Of the
amendments to that sacred instrument: " Con-
gress shall make no law abridging the freedom of
81 eech, of the press, the right Of the people
peaceably to assemble and to petition the govern
ment for redress of their grievances" For our
part can say, that the rights which this clause
of the Constitution was intended to protect. we
Will never voluntarily resign We know their
value, and will always, trust. have sense and
spirit enough to defend them. We were born a
feeman-we are unwilling to become a slave
and he is a slave indeed. who dare not fearIessiy
express his honest thoughts and opinions, with
regard to she wisdom of all public measures, and
the policy pursued by those who administer the
government.
1t is an easy thing, at the present time, to
charge a man with being a secessionist but it is
a serious charge, and one which no honorable and
high minded man would make, without having
evidence to sustain it. Accordingly we find only
the meanest men in the community setting them
selves up as immaculate patriots, and pointing
the finger of suspicion at their neghbors Some
of the brave heroes, who were the first to voiun-
teer for bunkum, and the first TO back out when
the order given to shoulder arms and march
10 the battle field, are now the loudest in de-
nouncing as secessionists, Democrats whose sons.
brothers and nearest and dearest relatives are or
have been, in the war, offering their bosoms to
the shafts of battle in defence of the Union and
the Constitution. COwards are always maligrants
n brave man never stoops so low as to wantonly
assail the character of his neighbor
On what grounds is the charge of being Sc
cessionsts, which is made again st certain men in
our community, based We nave heard them
talk in public we have talked to them privately
and confdentially, and we know that there is
not an emotion of their minds, or a puIsation of
their hearts that is not true to the Union, the
Constitution and the Laws Then why do GER
tain men openly charge, or covertly hint and in
sinuate, that they are secessionists This is a
question easily asked, and can be just as easily
answered. Because they denounce, on all occa-
sOns, the doctrines Of political Aboljtionism, and
contend that our government has no right to
change this from a war for the Union, into a
fierce crusade against the institution Of slavery in
the Southern States, and because they condemn
certain unconstitutional acts of President Lincoln
and will not admit that it is doctrine of our
government that he can do no wrong. Some of
them televe that our national difficulties could
be adjusted by an honorable compromise between
the Northern and Southern States, and that II ;s
not too late to ur c,n or grcss the wisdom, anil