The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-05-31
EQUAL RIGHTS.
From the Somerset Democrat.

MCssRs. EDI-oRs.-With your permission,
.he writer OF this will start out by saving that
he always has been, and ever shall be, a devoted
trend and jealous supporter of the Constitu-
ton and the Union of these Statrs-that he is
what Is generally denominated white man :
and without intending the least dIspaFagement
to our adopted citizens, "natIve and,to the man.
or boTn"-and that the dearest ties that bind
him to the North are identified with it, and more
especially with the good old State of PenRsyl-
vanis. He has nothing 10 ask Ia the shape of
political tav9rs, nor does he expect to receive
any reward for services rendered in the past or
to be rendered in the future-and nothing influ-
enceS him IN his devotion 10 our common COUP
Try, but spirit of patriotism which is as pure
as it is loya! and just.
With this preface, which it is hoped will not
be considered IN the slightest degree as egotisti-
cal, let me ask, have we any Secessionists in our
town or county-that is, men who approve and
justify the recent dismemberment of the Union,
and who are likewise willing and ready to
Proller and render aiG TO the so-styled "Sou-
thern ContedeEacy ?' You are, no doubt, very
well aware, that this charge Of secessionism has
been daily preferred against number Of our
most worthy citizens, both directly and tnd-
rectly. Inuendoes are thrown out-the most
despicable OF all other modes of accusaton-that
such and such an individual is IN league with
the South, and traitor 10 the Union. These
assertions and nuendoes are made on the mer-
est pretext, without even the shadow of ustii-
cation, ntermingled with curses and threats,
diSgTaCeful in themselves and TO their authors,
and dIscreditable to the community in which
we live, and are wholly directed against indi-
VlduaS who have heretofore been members of
the Democratic party. In rot single instance
has any other kind ofa partizan been thus stig-
matzed. If there is treason here, it is charged
upon Democrats, and upon them alone. Why
this is so, let the public determine If there is
a mystery IN it, it is the most mysterious thing
on record. But we opine there IS no mystery
about if at all. II is but the maIIgnancy OF par
ty prejudlce-the petty malice of political enc
mics and constitutes the worst and basest pas
sious of sectional partizsnship. For being thus
accused some OF our most respectable citizens
have been held up TO ridicule have been threat
ened with coat OF 'qar and feathers" and e.
ven with the gbbet itself Now, we ask,
ssCan such things be,
And overcome US like a summer cloud,
Without our special wonder 7''
And by whom are these threats made Why,
by the very men, of all others-whatever NAV
be their love for the Union-who bnster and
boast the most, and who have not the moral
courage TO face the common enemy; who will |
never seek the "bubbIe reputation at the can |
mons mouth" and who, while they possesses |
the boldness of the lion, they lack :he bravery
Of a sheep. But such charges are not to be be-
ieved-tbey have not even the semblance OF
truth-becauSe 1t Is unnatural in itself that men
OF the North would war against their own
homes and Gresldes and when We hear accu-
Satons of this nature imputed to them by SO
many, we are almost Led to Imagine that pan
demonum has been evacuated-that
"Hell is empty,
And all the devils are here %
Now, for my part, Messrs Editors, and IT is |
uttered IN the proioundeSt sincerity, | do not |
oeheve that there is d solitary Secessionlst, or
DIsunlon man, resident within the limits of the !
county OF Somerset. ] know the people of this
region too we'll have TOO high an appreciation
oI them as whole, and have too much conf
lence in their patriotism and in their fidelity
80 me Union 10 suspect, even ior an instant,
'hat We have traitors in our midst. All men
are entitled to their opinions, and they must be
permitted TO enjoy them. My own sympa-
shIeS heretofore have been with the South, and
am not ashamed, or afraid, to make the ac-
AhowledgmenL But the aspect OF things has
been changed. Government property has been
Seized-the flag Of the nation has been tram
pied ~ the dust, and hos!iities have been com
menced by the seeded States.-That the South
mas been unjustly dealt with-tha: her consti-
lu'iona rights have, TO a considerable extent,
ueeh dlsFegarded and tIamped under foot, and
'uat she has not been allowed that equality to
"Aich she was entitled, | know-and to which
eFety honest and candid man must acknowl
euSe' That this has been the case, is most
I'ue' True to The letter, and so plain TO the
comprehension OF every one, that tue ''way-fa-
IIng man, though fools must have been cog
"'zanI otIt BY what process it was effected,