Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-06-07

untarg Union. Each State came in at its own
unbiased option, and of its own free, untram-
neled choice. And thus choosing, soliciting
and coming, each State entered the compact
with distinct assent and solemn agreement
that the will of the Majority, should dictate
the law, and that the Minority should yield
obedience to tie same,
But what DO we see portion of the
States composing such Union, in violation
of both the letter and spirit of the compact
they had8voluntarily and saccedly formed,
stubbornly resist the rule Of the Majority, le-
| gally exercised-suddenly and violently break
the agreement by which they were solemnly
bound-deelare the Union dissolved, without
consent of tho other parties ia the same-fy
TO arms to maintain their rebeIlious attitude,
aud fill the land with the FIRE, the carnage, the
I blood of that direst curse of the world--a
Civil War! And what is the plea for this
suicidal rupture, this Inauguration Of reign
of blood and terror, this resort to the last
terrible arbitef, the sword Have their ter
rltoTies been inVaded--their privileges infring-
ed-their rights trampled upon, in any respect?
Are they suffering any evil, bearing any un-
just burthen, subjected to any disability, that
enlightened aud patriotic legislation could not
remedyi! This cannot truthfully be affirmed.
/ No; but if they we're subjected to injustice or
| oppression, and If their claims rest on the ba-
| sis of truth aud right-the public sentiment
Of the nation and the world, and the DEGREES
/ OF Congress, guided and controlled as it must
/ be, by that sentiment, would in time, amply
/ respond to toe ful6llment of their claims, and
every ground OF complaint be peacefully re-
moved. In representative government, con-
/ trolled by an enlightened people, The party 10
power for the time being, successfully oppress
/ the people of any section, or deprive them of
| their just claims. In due time the Public
Sense of Right win arrest the oppression and
/ conslgn its authors to morited rebuke.
| With these suggestions in view it can clear
| ly be seen that the Civil var which the Sc
cedipg States have kindled, is needless, uu.
! just and inhums n. 1t is not a Revolution,
il is a Rebettion-and rebellion, not against
tyranny and oppression, but against Justice,
aud right, aad LibeFty--againss EAe wGsast,
the best, the most enlightened, equitable and
perfect government the world ever beheld.--
There is rot privilege, or right that the
South can secure after all The blood aud car
/ uage which will follow the track of such
war, which they could not shave obtained far
more readily and fully, by peaceful measures.
| And now, what course should the National
Government pursue in an exigeuoy so critical?
But two possible ways are open before them
one leading to anarchy and ruin, the other to
order, security and prosperity. If the Gener-
al Government allows the principle that a
Southern State, or any number of Southern
States, have right to fY to arms aud snap
asunder the bonds of Union, on a plea of dis
satisfaction with the measures Of the Govern
/ oh tad al E..,-
ernment, tfor no actual steps he'd been taken
against them by the Administration then any
Northern or Western State, has the same right
of secession, and, no doubt, in process of
time, would assert it, The result would be,
that in comparatively brief period, our Union
would be broken into fragments, and the Amer
lean people, instead of being the mighty and
influential nation they now are, having the
/ right and power to be heard in National Coun-
ellis which shaft dictate the policy and fate
of the gorld-8ould become mere collection
of petty and rival States, expendiug their en-
ergies in intestine quarrels in regard to bonn
daries, tariffs, and political and social inter-
tercourse. And thus TIE progress of Liberty
and Equality on the earth, would be arrested
and annihilated forever!
Nor is this all. If State or any number
Of States, have right TO withdraw at plea
sure, from Union into which they have vel
unfairly entered, on principles to which they
have given their solemn assent, then the dis
| solving process can be carried to any extent.
/ 0n the same principle, Counties have right
to dissolve their union with States--Towns
with Counties-School Districts with Towns
and Individuals with School Districts
And thus the principle followed out, carries
human society into state of anarchy, TO be
speedily followed by an Iron Despotism.
In such an exigency, to retain the blessings
of public order, security and safety, but one
course is or can be open to the General Gov
ernment 1t must maintain its integrity, au-
thority aud power. The safety, the prosperity,
the very exstence of the American People,
as Nation, depend upon ii, and the case ad-
mits Of no alternative. To accomplish this
vital object, every peaceful and cOncitiatory
measure should be adopted. But these ap-
piled and exhausted in vain, nothing remains
but the sheer power of force and compulsion.
AS great as are the evils of war, the evils of
lawlessness aud anarchy are still gFoater.--
When men will not do right voluntarily, then
public safety, aud the laws of man and God,
demand that they shall be compelled TO obey.
Hence the General Government should bring
into requisition all It's powers and energies to
arrest traitors, crush rebellion, aud restore
peace, safety aud prosperity to the Nation
And every American citizen, every lover OF
his country, every friend of Freedom, every
good man, should lift his voice, and lend his
influence, and contribute literally of his MEANS
to enable the Government to accomplish ends
SO vital and so beni6cent.
Praises are valuable Ouly when they come
: from lips that have the coEage to condemn