Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-02-06

rected, that it is the policy of this party
to prohibit slavery in all the Territories
Of the United States now owned or here
after acquired with view 10 surrounding
, the slave States with Gordon of Abolit-
ion States, and thus keep slavery confn-
cd until the number increases beyond the
capacity of the soil to feed them, and
thus force them to die Of starvation, as q
means of getting rid of the evil Of slavery
in the name of humanity and christianity.
** No man
will 60 further than l to maintain the
Union and enforce the laws to put down
rebellion and insurrection, and 70 use all
the power conferred by the Constitution
for that purpose. But we must look the
facts in the face. We must take notice
of those things whose existence cannot ,e
denied. History teaches us that rebellion
often becomes successful revolution: and
the greatest republics and proudest mons
arches have found it necessary to recog.
nize the existence of a aGovernment de tacto
IN the rebellion Of States and provinces.--
Such was the condition of of the Ameri-
can colonies for seven years after the Dec.
laratiou of independence. Al first, it
was rebellion, and rebellion was treason.
few months afterwards, it was reyolu>
tion and Government dc tdcto at Phila-
delphia, Mr.. Hancock, President, and
Washington, Commander of the armies.
Rebellion had ceased and revolution taxi
en- its place. Tho American colonies
were in revolt, had Governments de faeto
and Great Britain, proud as she was, was
compelled to recognize the existing. state
OF facts. The laws of nations, and all the
laws of civilization demanded that the
Government de ,facto 5e acknowledged
But the laws must be enforced. In our
system of Government the laws are to be
enfo reed by civil authority, assisted by
the militia and posse .conlitdtps, when the
Marshal is resisted. If the colonies, or a
State, revolt, the revolution is complete
when the Federal authorities are expelled,
and no one is left to acknowledge allegic
ance to the United States. How are you
going to enforce the laws then? How are
you going to do it in South Carolina
She has passed an ordinance of secession.
i deny her right to secede but she has
done it.. The revolution is complete
She has no human being in her borders to
acknowledge our authority. This is all
wrong, tut how are you going to help 1t?
You tell us we must enforce the laws
am in favor of that. Laws must be en-
forced according to the Constitution and
the laws. Under our Constitution. laws
can only bo enforced against criminals,
and those of US who are IN favor Of the
Constitution and the Unicn must be care
ful that we do not perpctrate the very
things which we denounce as criminal in
these seeding State. And South CARROLL
ma does not stand alone. We are told
that seven Others will follow her, and we
have reason to apprehend that seven
more States will follow them. The an
swer is, we must enforce the laws. Ny
reply is you cannot eniore the laws in
countries not in your possession. l deny
that we have right to make war in order
to regain possession, in order to enforce
the laws. Are we prepared for war? l
do not mean in the sense of having sold
iers, arms and munitions, but are we pres
pared in our hearts for war with our
Southern brethren While | affirm
that the Constitution was intended
to form a perpetual Union-while |
affirm the right TO use all the lawful
means to enforce tho laws-yet will not
mediate war, nor tolerate the idea, until
every effort at adjustment has been tried
and failed, and all hope of the Union is
gone. Then, and not till then, will de-
liberate and determine what course my
duty will require Of me. am 70: peace,
to save the Union, War is disunion,
certain, inevitable, final and irreversible.
Our own very existence fordids war. :.
He preferred
compromise to war, and concessions to
disunion. No compromise would be
available which does not carry the ques.
ton beyond Congress. He said he had
voted for the proposition of the Senstor
from Kentucky, Mr.. Crittendenl and
was ready to vote for it again. Why can.
not the Republicans unite on the Missou>
ri Compromise line? They had heaped
curses enough on his head for repeating
it, to be glad to now re-establsh it. He
had helped 10 support that measure until
he was compelled to abandon. He was
willing to meet on terms of mutual con.
cessions. He had offered another propo>
A. tao,,o .l,o