Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-04-10
Wednesday Morning April 10 1851.
Who are Secessionists :

CLEA RFlELD, PA.

According to the mouthpieces OF the
Republican party, every Democrat who Is
opposed to the ruinous policy of making
war upon the seeded States, in vain at
tempt to compel them 10 1.-Two in hNrmony
win US, is called EtccsS,onist There is
about rs much reason IN this chaI ge as in
that Of Prp.S2arcrWsts Siars trade GirocafeS,
Stare drirrs, dc. which have been con
stautly applied to every man who has con.
tended for the equal rights Of the South
ern people under the Constitution.
To decide ,oho are Sacessionists, it is
only necessary TO inquire what would be
the present condition Of our country hNd
either of the other candidates for rresi-
dent last fall been elected Instead of Mr
Lincoln. All admit that in no other cgcnt
would we witness the present unhappy
state of atfairs-that instead ola dismem-
bered Union, and in imminent peril Of
civil war, our condition rs nation would
be perfectly harmonlous, and in the en-
joyment of greater degree of prosperity
than at any former period. The success
Of the Republican party, with its Aboli-
ton element, is the sole cause OF our
present troubles. 1t il not because the
Democrats were defeated nor because
this class Of men have been turned out
and another class put into office. Such
things have taken place frequently here,
tofore, without causing any inconvenience
to the public. But il is because a party,
boldly ayowing deadly hostility TO the in,
stitution Of Slavery as it exist, in fifteen
states of the union-decaring it, no less
than "poligamy' to be "atwin Sister O.
barbnrism" and proclsimng that thi,
country cannot exist half slave and halt
free that it mpst become either one thing
or tie other"
Hence it is clear that The Republicans
and not tie Democrats, are the real Sc.
ssssionists.
No Democrat is in favor Of Secession
They do not believe Secession to be th,
proper remedy for the aggressive demon
strstioR, of the AbOlitonised party The
position Of the Democracy on this ques,
ton was so elem!y defined by Serator BIC
AER, in his great speech in the Senate on
khe 2lst of January last, that we prefer t.
giveit in his own language:
''As cor secession, I am utterly against it,
aeny the right, and atbor tho consequences
hut shall indulge in no argument on that point
J., IL no remedy for any one of the evils lament
ed and in my judgement, it will aggrayate raih
er than remove them and, in addition, super
suducg counties. others Of n more distressing anC
Obstructive character"
Acknowledging the justice of the complaints 0
she southern States to no nconsderp Bile extent
1 dep recnte with all my heart tho remedy the,
pursue, and mlrCIarcd TO resist il ly all prcpt
means in my power. Even if the right Of ,eccss
ion were clear. Mr. President, maintain tha
justice and good faith to the other states rcquir,
that redress for alo dyed grievances to the Suutl
should first be sought at the hands of the peo.
pie, tho fountain of political auth rity,anl ia he
forms prescribed in tho Constitution. Th,
southern States should have pptitoned Con.
gress for convention Of States to revise the
Constitution and remove the grievances of ghicl
asccrtnined the real sentiments and intentions o.
the northern people towards them and the grea
alternatives Of continued Union or peaceful sep.
GRAFTON could have been deternin ed upon.
This was the course OF our fathers in rcfcrcnc,
20 the old confederatt n. which was intended
to be perpetual, but was changed because ii di,
not answer the purposes for which il was crea
ted. Let our southern friends follow this exam.
pie, even at this late day, all may be yet saved
Better counsss will prevail In such a body THAI
in Congress. Men will come fresh fro m the peo
pie, unembarrassed by party politics and part,
platforms. This refused by the North, and then
aud not till then, could violent remedies witt
any show ofjustice be invoked Tho Constitu
ton was intended to meet just such exigcncio
Ss now surround us; and hence no provision wa
ma for the separation OF the States and non,
for the coercion Of States into obedience to III,
fundamental law of the Union. Tho men VIII,
made the Constitution were in the practice o
that peaceful remedy at the time, and doubtless
intended to leave the same remedy and non
other to posterity. This remedy should still b
embraced, unless Congress should promptly sub
init to the Stntcs rome meusurus OF pacifcatio
and reunion
No greater calamity can befal an,
country and especially suSi country a
ours, than civil war. Every consorya
tive man, every patriot, and every wei
wisher of his country, knows that thi
calamity can only be ayestcd by conc
iatory course on the part Of the presen
administration that an attempt to co
cree the seeded States either 10y blocka
ding their ports and thus attempting t.
collect the revenue will not only fail. bu
drive out the border States and piung
the country into civil war, and utter
destroy all hopes ofR re. construction o
our once happy, prosperous and poworfn
Union.
Raer Hon. John Mclean, one Of tn
Judges Of the Supreme Court of the Uni
IL 4