The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-01-17
ways and Means.

ton states are obstlnately bent upon break
ing up the Union, rejecting with the scorn
and contempt it deserves any compromise
that the utmost poverty of manly spirit,
and the most abiect determination Of self
abasement on the part OF our representa-
tives at Washington, can devise that some
headiong act Of the secessi0nists shall
compel the Federal Government, for very
shame, to make some show of defending
the Federal property; that the border
slave states shall be forced thereby to
make common cause with their sisters
further South, and the country be precip-
ltated into civil war-What then will be
our condition Ia the FIRST place, when
that time comes, we assume that the North
will turn III to do the work that lies be-
fore her with earnestncss OF purpose, and
vigorous determination, which the Un-
mixed Anglo-SaXou race Is used tJ bring
to bear upon any truth that requires all
its energy and intellect. We remember
friend telling us that on the morning of
that day when the Vigilance Committee
Of San Francisco assumed to itself the
duty of purging that city Of its scoundrels
he stood looking upon the crowd Of the
whole male population of the town, gath
cred beneath the walls Of the jail-a
crowd breathless, determined, silent, sway
ed by common purpose, moved by a pas
sion too deep for outward excitement, and
under the rule Of ;he calmest reason
No man spoke above Il whisper the strict
est discipline prevailed from the imDul-
sive love Of law and order belonging to
the race, and, though bent upon exerci-
sing the highest act Of the sovereignty Of
the people-the right to take life, not the
smallest excess was possible. At this
moment, when all anXiously awaited the
noycmentssof the leaders, one man whis-
pered to another-they were both South
erners-swhcn these - Yankees are
in earnest. and take the Bible in one hand
and the rifle in the other, they are the
devil ~ Batting the profanity, we think
he was right. When Northern man
seizes the rifle, and before he drops the
ball into it, rams bit Of conscience down
with the powder, his eye eleams with an
unmistakablc light as he brings it to his
shoulder, and his foe sees before him a
grave, determined face, and no longer
supple back. When we come to that
point, and the North makes up its mind
that it has got to fight, we may take it
tor granted that it scW fight to some pur-
pose.
What next? We shall count our re-
sources on both sides. War costs money. /
Men, munitions, food, sbips-all that goes
to make and support an army by sea and /
by land-where are they! The North !
need not wait 10 answer that question:
III or f,r+iiy. I
ready enough to cope with the strongest .
nation on the face Of the globe.
But the South-the bankrupt South
where are her resources! The Empire
Of South Carolina has no sooner launched .
her helpless hulk Of state, than she Is .
forced to confess to the Federal Govern .
ment that she has not the means to carry
her own letters sixty-livc men in Fort /
Sumpter hold her, at this moment, com .
PIcte!y at their mercy, and can lay her .
only town, Of any consequence, in ashes /
between sun and sun. She has not men
enough to meet the regiments Of this city
on a fair field she has few arms she .
has no ships, excepting only one poor lit.
tie cutter, which she stole her commits
sariat Is only thirty days provision she !
has, scattered about In her slaye-huts, Il
black and sullen enemy, outnumbering
their masters, with centuries Of wrong to
remember, which sooner or later, they
viii avenge. and who must be watched
and she has no money. Nor has she any
means Of raising any. Thirty days AGO
her bonds could not be negotiated in Wall
street at thirty cents on the dollar as col
ateral security. Thirty days hence, in
he event of 4 war, not broker on the
Exchange, or a jew in Lombard street or
IN the Bourse, would accept them at one
iollar on the hundred As it is with
south Carolina SO it Is with all the South.
war without money, Is an engine with
'ut steam, gun without a lock, a car
lage without wheels-a dead. inert mass {
II wood and iron. She could not sustain
month Of active hostilitics The North |
nay take its choice Of coercing or stary- I
nS her into subjection. On the whole. 1
We prefer the latter method, as quite as l
fiectual if notquite so speedy. 1t is sure t
o be accomplished one way or the other /
the North will only believe in her f
wn power. And when the peace is once :
onquered, it is conquered for ever t
<or do we believe the people are troub- /
ed with any doubts upon the issue. or. d
pom their own duty. The only fear IS
hat the event may be delayed by the
'eakness and pusiIlanimity of Con gress, 5
no talk OF concession while their oppo- o
ents insult them with overt acts OF treas c
II. The country is becoming tired OF SO a
luch talk and little action, and is almost !