The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-10-17
EBENSBURG:
AY:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::OCTOBER II.
The Times.

ness of the times. The merchant says
trade has fallen off the farmer is wanting
higher prices for his produce; the landlord
complains sorely about low rents, and
everything looks blue. The ordinary
operations of business have been to very
serious extent, interrupted, and the skill
and industry of large portion of our
people rendered utterly valueless. Grim
visaged war is upon the country, and for
some months past we have been enduring
the many privations, Inconvenience and
annoyances incident to that unfortunate
condition. Times are dull.
And yet we are in the very festival of
exaggeration and excitement. Every
breeze that comes to us from the South is
tainted with saltpetre and sulphur. The
sensation press abounds in pictures, many
of which are SO vivid and life-like, that as
we study them we may almost fancy that
we behold the "embattled hosts on sea
and land, with all the ''pride, pomp, and
circumstance" and "dread realities" of
war.
Our beloved country is now groaning
under the troubles which designing men
have brought upon her. When Abraham
Lincoln assumed control of the federal
government, on the 4th of March last, he
found a portion of the people in state of
rebellion. The attempt had been made
to establish hostile Confederacy composed
of Southern states, and so bold had the
leaders in this reasonable movement be-
come, that they had already insulted the
American flag with impunity, and were
rejoicing in the humiliation they had
brought upon the federal government
By many the President was strongly de-
nounced for not at once invoking the
strong arm of military power to put down
this state of affairs but he manifested a
disposition rather to allow passion to cool
and reason to resume its sway, in order
that the trouble might be settled without
a resort to arms. No man will pretend
that his Admins tration initiated any
harsh measures, for it is universally known,
that, up to the time the call for troops
was made, both friends and foes were cry
ing out against its inactivity, and sneer-
ing at its supposed indecision. 1t only
asked of the rebellious men who had
assumed an attitude of hostility, that in a
peaceful way it might be allowed to fur
nish to its beleaguered troops such things
as we're necessary to their comfort and
sustenance.
But it is manifest that the leaders of
the Secession movement feared this peace
full policy. They deprecated delay, and
did not desire to trust to the results of
sober reflection on the part of the people.
They answered the mild demands of the
administration by the cowardly and brutal
assault upon our brave garrison at Fort
Sumter. There was then but one course
to be pursued to preserve the National
honor, and to compel respect to the Ma
tionai emblem; and that was to exhibit
the power of the Union In so unmistaka
BILE a manner as to convince every one,
however reckless and unpatriotic, that it
is madness and even death and destruction
to attempt its overthrow. The position OF
things at the present time is such, that
the rash men who have provoked the CON
fiict, can only hope to escape from it by
the humiliation of the general govern
ment.
1t is difficult, nay, impossible to predict
the end Of the movement which has been
undertaken to preserve our glorious
Union, and to sustain the honor of the FED.
eral government Blood has already been
freely spilled, and treasure has been as
freely given: and we have witnessed with
more pain than pleasure, those necessary
warlike operations which destroy property
aud devastate fertile lands. But, however
sad and revolving this may be, we believe
that the loyal men of all parties regard it
as unavoidable, and right under the cir
cumstances, and therefore yield it their
cordial approval. We firmly believe they
endorse the policy of the administration,
aud would not be satisfied with any other.
The suspense In which the Disnnio onists