Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-06-13
The Cause Of the War

We call the attention of our readers to the
following extract from letter vritten by j.
G. Calhoun, as early as 1912, to Commodore
Stewart, better known as "Old Ironside,"
now in his eighty fourth year. The letter
shows so explicitly what the intention of
these Southern Democrats was, that we can
not refrain from giving it publicity. 1t shows
that these men were determined, just SO soon
as they had lost the power to control this
Government, to destroy it, dissolve the Onion,
and punish the .' Northern Yankees" and
mudsiHs OF society. Read the extract:
az admit your conclusions in re gard to us
Southrons that we essentially ristocratic
cannot deny but we and do yield much to
Democracy-this is our sectional policy; we are
from necessity thrown upon and soemnly welded
to that party. however it may occasionally clash
with feelings, for the conservation of our in :
terests. Is through our .Iil aion ,oith that party
an the Middle and Western States control, under
the Constitution. the gorerning of these United
SfatesJ BUT WIEN We CEASE THUS TO
CONTROL THIS NATION. through disjo;inted
Democracy, or any material obstasle in that rnrty
sohtch shalt tend to Mrotc out Of that rule and
cortrol. We SHALL THEN RESORT TO THE
DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION"
Every person is familiar with the history
of John c. Calhoun. And every person
should now be able to see that the Democrat.
ic politicians have been welded to his fool
ish and unpatriotic secession doctrines
Hence our trouble. Hence the stagpation in
business and the present civil war If Gen.
Jackson had hung John C. Calhoun the war
would never have taken place. The g Old
Genera" regretted all his life that he did not
hang him, always asseYerating that it was
the great and only mistake of bis life.
Every honest man, every man who will
think, must see that it was not the election
of President Lincoln that brought on the
war. But it was made simply the pretext.
For, as Mr.. Calhoun tells us in his letter.
" scheneuer ace cease thus to control this nation,
through di9ointed Democracy. or any mate
terial obstacle in that party ,0hich shall tend
TO tlro,o as out Of that ruie and control, soe
shasl then resort to the dissolution of the
Union"
WHAT infamous doctrine. And how long
have the good honest farmers and working
men of Centre county and the Keystone State
been deceived, cheated anl cajoled by the
leaders of this party? Ofcourse the leaders
knew better. Suppose, for instance, General
Scott had been elected President, instead of
Franklin Pierce in 1852 Would the Mis-.
souri, Compromise line have been repealed !?
Would We have ever heard of that infamous
Dred Scott Decision Would John C. Crit
tenden ever have had the impudence to offer
his amendments, declaring that it was right
to incorporate in to ths Constitution that there
could be property io man? But, suppose
again, that the Arch Traitor, Jno. c. Breck.
inridge bad been elected last fall, what in
Heavens name would have become of the
country, the farmers and workingmen uaeer
another Southern Administration
Providence will take care of the destinies
Of this great nation. He is doing it now, aud
good must come out of this apparent evil. Ia
the meantime we throw out these interroga.
tions and Suggestions for the cool and delib-
crate consideration of all honest men, it mat
ters not to what party they belong. Let us
learn to be freemen. Let US look at the logic
of facts and the history that is so rapidly be.
ing made and written every hour. In the
meantime every person must see that the
Republican parry is the only party that can
save our glorious Union. Lincon is pledged
to this. And rest assured, fellow citizens
that before the 4th OF next March, peace will
be declared, and the Stars and Stripes will
float over every foot of land in Uncle Sans
dominions.