Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-01-31
Concession and Com promise.

These are terms frequently used in theee
troublous times. And there are many men
who arenwilling to concede every thing to
compromise the difficulties which environ the
Union. They reflect but little upon who or
what has produced the crisis which imperils
our form of government. but are anxious on
ly to avert the calamity which threateHs, by
some peaceable remedy. They are sadly ag>
itated at the thought of coercing State in
to submission, and would rather dissolve this
fair fabric of government BY submitting to
peacablA secession, than adopt the maxim of
the immortal jackson, and declare that the
" Union must and shall be preserved >
There has been worse than wemanish weak
ness exhibited on this subject at Washington
on the part of the President, bis Cabinet and
both Houses of Congress. and we are not sur
prised that. like an infectious disorder, it has
had an effect in less distinguished places and
amongst men from whom we ought TO ex-
poet less.
For our part we cannot see how we can
concede to and com promise with traitors who
have risen With arms in their hands defed
the government, seized upon her public ar.
sensls forts and fortifcatiops. fired upon the
flag ofour country, and continue in open re-
bellion to law and order. It is u very pretty
thing to talk about conceding something
fer the sake OF the Union," but in what other
country on the face of the globe. would such
an idea be entertaine under similar circum-
stances?
We doubt very much whether the States
which have conceded can be reached by any
compromises which might be offered. The
train Of circumstances developed show cob-
cert of action and plan of operations which
have been maturing for years, under the aid
and encouragement Of traitors in the Cabinet
and in other high places, showing a deep
seated and long concocted scheme of disuuion
and secession. and exhibiting matured de
termination to accomplish the end in view.
The truth is, these men were determined to
rule or ruin" And when the result of the
their day of "ru'e" was ended, ru n" be !.
came their watchword and the rapidity
with which secession has spread, proves, If
there was no other evidence, that the train
was laid yea since, aud the traitors only
awaited favorable opportunity to apply the
MATCH and pow our government to frag-
ments.
Now, what do such men care about "can>
cession and compromise 2" Nothing at all !!
And no new guarantees can be given than
those eDgrafted in the Constitution. In
that instrument are found provisions amply
sufficient to protect each section 10 It's pecu-
liar rights and institutions. All that is nec-
essary is to have these provisions put in force
by laws faithfully executed For our part
we go for the Constitution as it is and the
Union as it is. and for preserving ii by all
the means at the command Of the Federal
government, without regard &c consequences
and at all hazards.
If any compromise can be effected, with-
out violating principles, and without dishon-
or, most heartily would we concur in any
such measures as would bring order cut of
confusion, and stay civil war with its atten
dent horrors. But come what will the unity
of this government must be preserved. To
admit tbs light of a State to secede, without
the consent of her sisters, from the Union, is
doctrine rspugnaDt to every just view of our
sacred compact and tacit acknowledgment
suhjec. to the caprice and whim Of the smal-
lest section which may at any time choose to
assert its sovereignty and dissolve the com-
pact Crdwtord Journal.