Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-01-24
BELLEFONTE Pa. THURSDAY MORNING. JAN. "a 1861

all our constitutional obligations to them.
These we are ready and willing to observe
generously and fraternally in their letter
and spirit, with answering fidelity.
The election of President Of the United
States, according to the forms of the Con-
stitution, has recently been made pretext
for disturbing the peace of the country by a
deliberate attempt to wrest from the Federal
Government the powers which the people
conferred on it when they adopted the Con-
stitution. By this movement the question
whether the government of the United
States embodies the prerogatives, rights and
powers of sovereignty, or merely represents,
for specific purposes, multitude of inde-
pendent communities, confederated in a
league which any one of them may dissolve
at will, is now placed directly before the
American people. Unhappily this question
is not presented in the simple form of polit-
ical discussion, but complicated with the
passions and jealousies of impending or ac-
tual conflict. There is nothing in the life
of Mr.. Lincoln. nor in any of his acts or
declarations before or since his election, to
warrant the apprehension that his Admin
istration will be unfriendly to the local in
stitutions of any of the States. No senti-
ments but those of kindness and cancellation
have been expressed or entertained by the
constitutional majority which elected him i:
and nothing has occurred to justify the ex-
element which seems to have blinded the
judgment of a part of the people, and is
precipitating them into revolution.
The supremacy of the National Govern
ment has been so fully admitted and so long
cherished by the people of Pennsylvania,
and SO completely has the conviction of Its
nationality and sovereignty directed their
political action, that they are surprised at
the pertinacity with which portion Of the
people elsewhere maintain the opposite view.
The traditions of the past, the recorded
teachings of the Fathers of the Republic,
the security of their freedom and prosperity,
and their hopes for the future, are all in
harmony with an unfaltering allegiance to
the National Union, the maintainence of the
Constitution and the enforcement of the laws.
They have faithfully adhered to the COM
promises of our great National compact,
and willingly recognized the peculiar in-
stitutions and rights Of property of the peo-
Pile of other States. Every true Pennsyl-
vanian admits that his first civil and rolit-
ical duty is to the general government, and
he frankly acknowledges his obligation to
protect the constitutional rights of all who
live under its authority and enjoy its bless,
ings.
| have already taken occasion to say pub.
licly, and now repeat, that if we have any
laws upon our statute books which infringe
upon the rights of the people Of any of the
State, or contravene any law of the Federal
Government. or obstruct its execution, they
ought to be repealed. We eought not to hes
itate to exhibit to other States that may have
enacted laws interfering with the rights, or
obstructive of the remedies which belong
TO all American oitizens, an
example of magnanimity and of implicit
obedience to the paramount law. and by a
prompt repeal of every statute that may
even, by implication, be liable to reasona-
BILE objection, do our part to remove every
lust cause of dissatisfaction with our legis-
lation.
Pennsylvania has never faltered in her
of all the duties imposed upon
her by the national compact, and she will,
by every act consistent with her devotion to
the interests of her own people, promote
fraternity and peace, and liberal comfy
between the States, Her convictions on
the vital questions which have agitated the
public mind are we'll understood at home,
and should not be misunderstood abroad.
Her verdicts have been as uniform as they
have been decisive, in favor of the dignity,
the prosperity and the progress of her free
industry. and support of the principles of
liberty on which the government is founded,
and menace or rebellion cannot reverse them.
They have passed into history as the deliber-
ate Judgment of ber people, expressed in a
peaceful, fratcrnal and constitutional man.
ner; and when they shall have been ad-
ministered in the government, as soon they
will be, the madness that now rules the hour
will subside, as their patriotic, faithful and
national aims bring ample protection and
peaceful progress to all sections Of the Re,
public.
In the grave questions which now agitate
the country, no State has a more profound
concern than Pennsylvania. Occupying a
geographical position between the North
and the South. the East and the West. with
the great avenues Of travel and trade pass
ing through her borders. carrying on an
extensive commerce with her neighbors, in
the vast and varied productions of her soil,
her mines and her manufacturing industry,
and bound to them by the ties Of kindred
and social intercourse, the question Of dis
union involves momentous consequences to
her people. The second Of the thirty-thres
States in population, and the first in material
resources. it ia due both to ourselves and to
the other States. that the position and sem
timsnts Of Pennsylvania on the question
should be distinctly understood.
AL the elements of wealth snd gEsatasss