Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-02-06
NEW SERIES-VOL. l.-NO o.

the impression WAS not left, either by its
proceedings Or in the language of the ora
tors, that III some way or other tho Re.
publican organization was tho agency
through which slavery Mas to be abolish
ed everywhere? This was not always
done directly and in plain terms mon
occupying the position of statesmen dare
not 90 this; but they would talk about
an iriepressible conflict betw cen the local
institutions OF the States. They would
say they did not expect the house to fall,
but they did expect it to become all one
thing or all the other, al slave or all free,
and who could imagine that they intend.
ed to intimate that tho States should all
become slave; Then, sir, they would talk
about hemming slavery in with Gordon
'ot fire. so that it might perish by its own
blasting effects.
1t is idle Mr. President, it would be
unmanly at time like this, to close our
eyes to the manifest effects of what men
have said and done. This kind of myste-
rious teaching of the Republican leaders
was necessary TO draw TO them the sup
port of the old anti.slavery party of the
North. Without that support, they could
not succeed; and they could not ret that
support, without, to a greater or less ex-
tent, identifying themselves with the doc,
trlnes of abolitionism, and of aggression
upon slavery everywhere, Now, sir. if
these doctrines are not to be carried out.
why not say so? Cannot men rise above
the ordinary position OF partizans, and
say frankly and empAatically that they
do not intend, either by direct, or indi.
rect means, to interfere with the rights of
the Southern States, or attempt to deny
to them perfect equality-not only mem
bers of the Confederacy, but in the use
and enjoyment of our common Terrific
ries Let the President elect say this.
and the skies will brighten. Come, Sena.
tors, "let justice be done though the Hea-
vens fall" let The South have her share
OF the common estate; and as she is the
weaker party, give her prompt and efia
cient guarantees against future inter.
ference and against future aggression, as
far as that can be done and we shall have
peace again. Without it, without conces.
sion and compromise, our destiny is inev.
itable-dissolution, civil war, aud anarchy
are before us.
To my own mind, Mr. President, still
greater source of evil, of alienation, and
hostility, than all these, is the habit
which prevails in the North of branding
slavery and shareholders with approbious
epithets, and denouncing shareholders as
barbarians and criminals, for doing that
which it was agreed they might do. This
is the exhaustless fountain from which
flow this bitter waters Of discord, which
are poisoning all the channels of inter.
course, commercial, political. and social,
between the northern and the southern
States, welding an influence more poison>
Gus and Lighting than the shades of the
deadly upas. Southern men, from no.
tons of pride and dignity, give less prom
inence to this idea but no man who has
associated with them as have, could fail 10
discover its effect upon their feelings. A
southern man. once member of this bod
I, L.,
claims to be out o, the Union, touchingly
remarked to ME on this floor: "Look at
our case; look at my State" said he
"the present generation there have had
nothing to do with establishing slavery
we inherited it; wo believe it to be right
we do just what it was agreed we might
do at the time the Confederacy was made
and what The northern States were main
ly doing at that time; and yet, sir, for do
ing this thing, we find ourselves branded
rs barbarians, and our institution talked |
about as twin relic of barbarism |
and pologamy, and we as men favor
ing lower order of civilization than
that enjoyed in the North, and as
living in the daily practice of oppression
and wrong. Now, sir" said he. 81 care
little about your territorial question; we
have q clear constitutional right in the
Territories, and it ought to be recognized,
but il is not valuable right; nor have
any fear of violence at the hands ofnorth-
ern people; with me it is the wear and
tear of feeling it IS the attempt at hu-
initiation and inequality in the Govern
ment that has alienated me. would
rather have" said he, relations with any
other men on the face of the earth, than
with those claiming to be my brethren
and part of the same common Govern
ment, who thus outrage my feelings and
estimate me politically and morally as
beneath their position"