Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-02-20
CLEA RFlELD, pa.
Wednesday Morning, Feb. 20, 1861.
Dismcmbered, but so far net Belligerent
States.

successfui operation, so far rs fToV'Slondt
government can make it SO. They have
adopted the present Constitution, with n
very few unmportant alterations, and
elected President and Vice President for
one year, at the end of which period they
will ! G superseded by officers chosen by
the people, in the same manner as has
been the practice heretofore. For all
practical and realizing purposes, this
Southern Confederacy is an established
fact. That Union which we were taught
TO believe impregnable, all-powerful, and
indivisable, is dismembered; but as yet.
thank God, not belligerent.
How long will this new Confederacy
last? Will the States composing it con-
i i:pue 20 refuse all overtures to re-uni:e
with their former sisters? Unless tie
political party about coming into power at
Washington comedies 10 the demands Of
the remaining slave-owning States, they
too, will secede, and join the Southern
Conlederacy. If they do, then we see no
hope of a re-unicn, or re- construction. A
Copf ederacy thus constituted with pop
ulation of over twelve millions, an area
large enough to accommodate ono hun.
dred million, soil the richest and most
productive in the world, and whose unu-
sual product'n of one article alone is worth
two hundred million dollars ought to be
one of the most prosperous. She is nov
comparatively destitute of manufactures.
the only element wanting to make her
perfectly Independent of the rest of the
world. But these will not long be waat-
ing. Enterprise will soon remedy this
md whatever nature has supplied her with
the means Of manufacturing, ingenuity vii
not be long IN putting into practice /; and
il is not improbable that the South may
in a very few years, become as prosperous
fer its manufacturing and shipping inter-
ests, as it always has been for its Producing
Interests. The idea that the South is
poor country and cannot subsist within
itself. or without the North, is perfectly
ridiculous. The South can subsist much
better without the North, than the North
can without the South. Indeed, if all
intercourse between the two sections
should cease, the South have very many
advantages over the North; and the
chances are, the South would advance
whilst we would retrogadr. Nature in
tended the two sections to be mutually
beneficial to each other. Such has been
their practice heretofore. Fanalicism in
the North, and visions of national ag-
grandizement in the South, have put
check to this beautiful harmony, and ROW
bid fair TO blast these hopes forever
Should attempt be made to coeree the
seceded or seeding States into suhjection,
then all hopes arc gone. Ifthese States
are allowed to depart in peace, it is posi-.
ble that utter ruin will not be the result to
either section. Besides this, after living
few year thus divorced Nv hich con-
dition would enable each party to prop
erly estimate the advantages lost or gain.
ed, just as individuals can properly value
blessings after they are lost--a re union,
and n consequent resumption of our ma
tional prosperity may be brought about.
II now looks as If all depended upon tho
policy of the incoming Administration.
Although collision is likely to occur at
any hour yet we have good reasons for
hoping that prudence will continue toI
guide the men of the South, and make no
attempt TO wrest from the United States
her forts or property by force of arms
but await the virtue of peaceabe negotia>
tions, Mr. Buchanan has proved himself
the vey man for The times. Thus far he
has, by his superior craftsmanship, averted
that most dreadful of all national calami.
ties-ciyil war ard, after few days shall
have passed away he will surrender his
place to his successor, with the prayers of
his countrymen that ho may follow in his
footsteps.