Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-04-11
The Policy Of Preparation.

national difficulties sternly suggeet the i'm
perative necessity of each commonwealth
making preparation for self defence, as well
/ to give confidence ia self security as to insure
the protection of the lives and property of the
people. Whatever we may have thought or
printed heretofore on this subject, or howev-
er much we May oppose civil war, it is ap-
parent now that those who have renounced
their allegiance to the country, are deter>
mined to force a contest on those who would
Willingly preserve the Union without re,
sort to arms. Before God and the world, the
administration of Abraham Lincoln cannot
be held responsible for any result which may
flow from resort to arms, nor is there any
policy longer in denying the appeals of
momentous necessity, urging on US the duty
of national and individual preseryation.-
Revolution around US, and treason in our
midst, suggest at once the feasibility of pol
icy for prompt preparation. to resist both the
invasion of neutral territory or an infringes
ment on any of our rights in any quarter Of
the Union whatever. A civil conflict is dep
recated by every Christian man in the land
it has been sought to be avoided by every
patriot and neutrality-suspicious. as treason
1 has become emboldened by domestic success
its proportions begin to assume national
significance to which only national resis-
tance, made up of the States that are yet 10y
| heir m kbo
laws, will suffice to give peace and security
to the business, the labor, the present and
the future of our divided and distracted
country. Further delay will only prolong
the difficulty and the danger. 1t will cor
roborate the assertions OF those who lead in
this revolution, that the Northern States are
only Commonwealths composed of cowards
unable and unwilling to mset the issues in
the present contest or defend the interests
they have repused in Union Of States. The
aspersion has Keen repelled by some of the
States of the North in armjng their citizens
for defence, and making preparation for any
emergency or difficulty that may grow out of
the crisis in which we are so unhappily in
yelVed.
Geographically, Pennsylvania is SO located
as to become involved to a great extent in
any struggle that may possibly result from
secession or disunion. Her location is inn
portant in every respect, and the more we
regard her interests and her influence, the
more are we impressed Nth the importance
both Of her political, social and geographical
position. We must not therefore suffer any
opportunity to pass for our own protection,
CT allow any temerity to prevent us from as
suming such an attitude and appearance of
defence, as will at once satisfy those who
now threaten us that we have the will as
well as the ability to defend not only our
own interests in the Union, but to insist up
on the fuifilment of the obligations Of others
in that sacred compact. To this stern ne.
oessity tho obdurate hatreds Of the South
seem to be forcing every issue, and it is in
obedience TO its fearful invocation that the
lovers of freedom and the Union are compel
led to arm themselves for the mainten ance
of their nationality, their atars and their
fire. sides.
Pennsylvania must not be last to assume
an armed resistance to the treason which is
now bemming in the National Capital. She
must not be the last to lay her hand on the
hilt of the sword, nor falter in any duty
which aims at the preservation of the Union
aud the vindication of the laws. In compli-
ance with this conviction Of duty, it becomes
incumbent speedily on the Executive to use
! all constitutional means in bis power to place
the military resources of the State on prop
er footing, and to inform the legislature of
his wants in this particular. The patriotism
of the legislature will respond at once to such
an appeal. while the people themselves would
give the movement their aid 5y rslying in
thousands to the preservation of the prestige
Of the commonwealth and the Union of the
States. All that is necessary for Gov. Cur
tin to do, is to ask for the power to place the
State On 9 war footing. The times justify
tire demand, the danger which threatens US
these reasons we urge this policy on the CON
sideratipn of those whose duty it is to act in
the premises Harrisburg Telegraph