Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-11-13

respect the laws of war, and treat hi. prs-
oners accordingly. May Divine Proyi,
dence, in His Infinite wisdom and mercy.
save ohr country from ne humiliation and
calnnities which now seem almost newt
able! South Carolina has already declared
her independence OF the United States !:
has expelled the Federal authorities from
her limits, and established Government
de t@ 10, with military force to sustain it.
The revolution is complete, there being
no man within her limits who denies the
authority of her government or acknowl.
cdreS allegiance to that Of the United
States. There is every reason TO believe
/ that seven other States will soon follow
her example ; and much ground to abpre-
hcnd that the o,he: slayeholding States
will follow them
"lloU are we going to prevent an ALI
ance between these seeding States by
which they may establish Federal Gov-
eminent, at least de .tacto, for themselves? {?
If they shall do so, and eXpel the author
tiles of the Eniied States from their lin.
!ts,as South Carolina has DONE and others
are about 20 do, so that there shall be no
human being within their boundaries who
acknowledges allegiance to the United
states, how arc we going to enforce the
laws? Armies and navics can make wars,
but cannot enforce laws in this country.
The Laws can be enforced only, 10y the civil
authorities assisted by the military as a
posse coHi'diyS, when resisted in executing
judicial process. Who is to issne the iu-
dicial process in a State where there is no
judge, no court, no Judicial functionary
Who is 10 perform the duties Of marshal in
executing the process where no man will
OF dare arcept Office? WHO are TO serve
on iuries while every citizen is pdrtic,yS
cr'D.niy with the accused? How are YOU
going 10 comply with the Constitution in
respect to a .ihIy trial, where there are no
men qualified to serve on the jury?
agree that the laws should be enforced
! hold that our Government is cloth ed
with the power and duty OF using all the
means necessary to the Enforcement of the
laws, according 10 me Constitution aud h,rs. 49,
Ike president is sworn TO the faithful per.
formance Of this duty. lis conduct aud
duty IN this regard. including acts of CON.
mission and omission, while the rebellion
MAS in its incipient stages, and wlen con.
fined to n few individuals, present very
different question from that which we are
now diScussng-After the revolution has
become complete, and the Federal auth
critics have beer expelled, and the Gov
eFuHent ID facto put into practical opera
ton, aud IN the unrestrained and unrcsis
te exercise of all the powers and func.
tions of Government, local and national
But we are told that secession is wrong.
and that South Carolina has no rigEt TO
secede. agree that it il wrong. unlaw-
ful, unconstitutional, criminal. In nv
opinion, South Carolina had no right to
seeede bat she has done Il. She has decln
red her independence of uS, efiaced the
last vestige of our civil authority, estab-
lishcd foreign Government, and is now
engaged in the preliminary steps to open
diplomatic intercourse with the great
powers ofthe world. What next? II her
act was Illegal, unconstitutional, and
wrong, have we no remelyg Unquesti)n.
ably we have the tight TO use all the pow.
CT and force necessary 10 re gain possession
Of that portion of the United States, in
order that We may again enforce our Con.
stitution and laws upon the Inhabitants.
We can enforce our laws in those States,
Territories, and places only which are
within our possession. II often happens
THAT the territorial rights of a country OK
tend beyond the limits of their actual pos
sessions. That is our case ut present in
respect to South Carolina. Our right Of
Jurisdiction over that State for Federal
purposes, according to the Constitution,
has not been destroyed or impaired by the
ordinance of secession, or any act of the
convention, or of the de fdcto government.
The right remains but the possession is
lost, Tor the time being. "lIow shall we
regain the possession ?" is the pertinent
inquiry. 1t may be done by arms, or by a
peaceable adjustment of the matters in
controversy.
Are ,rcprcpdred for warP | do not mean
that kind of preparation which consists of
armies and nav!es, aud supplies, aud mu
ritions Of war; but are we prepared IN
CUR HEARTS for war with our own brethren
and kindred? ! confess am not. While
confess that the Constitution is, and was
intended to be, bond ofperpetual Union
while can do no act and utter no word
that will acknowledge or countenance the
right of secession while affirm the right
and duty of the Federal Government to
use all legitimate means to enforce the
laws, put down rebellion, and suppress
insurrection, | will not mediate war, nor
tolerate the idea, until every effort ut
peaceful adjustment shall have been ex,
hausted, aud the last ray Of hope shall
have deserted the patriots heart. Then,
and not till then, will consider and de-
termine what course my da!y to my coun.
try may require me to pursue in such an
emergency. In my opinion, war is disuu-
ion. certain, inevitable. irrevocable. am
for peace to save the Union.
"rnere are several modes in which his
irritating question slavery may be with,
drawn from Congress, pence restored, the
rights of the States maintained, and the
Union rendered secure. One of them
one to which | can cordially assent-bas
been presented by the venerable Senator
from Kentucky, Mr.. Crttenden. The
Journal sf the committee OF thirteen shows
that | voted Cor il in committee. ] am
nrenared TO vote for il again | shall not