Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-06-21

be one in the present House. They
s'precipitated'' the rupture Of the Union,
because they knew that if they waited, even
the pretext for it would fail.
After the Cotton States had seeded. aud,
although that circumstance greatly Increased
the difficulty of compromise, measures were
nevertheless adopted or proposed in Congress,
whish must have removed all sincere alarm
on the part Of the South, that their coastitu-
tioual rights we're threatened The sccredi-
ted leaders Of the Republican party, including
the President-clect, uniformly pledged them
selves TO that effect The two Houses, by
constitutional majority pledged themselves in
lik5 manner against any future amendment of
the Constitution violating the rights of the
South. A member from Massachusetts, Mr..
Adams), possessing the entire confidence Of
the incoming Administration, proposed to adj
nit New Mexico as State, and three new
Territories were organized without any Anti
Slavery restriction While this was done 10
Congress, the States repealed OF modified the
laws tlrowing obstacles ID th, way of recoV-
eriug fugitive slaves-iaws which have never
been of any praaticle injury to tae Cotton
States. These conciliatory demonstrations had
40 effect in staying the progress OF Secession,
because the leaders of that revolution were
determined not to be satisfied; and to main
tain thetF roiicy, which IN tbs light Of the
CoustituIt9p is slwply rebellion aud tresson,
they have %ppealed TO The sword.
You say tnst the Soush desires nothing bu
peace, and ask whether toe y rth will nos .sle
yeu alqaFR Bn,, my good friend, the Souh
demands great deal more than "peace. =
She claims tue Capital OF the country, although
she has but tnlrd of Its population. Sne
clAlnis the cuntroi OF the outlet Of Chesapeake
Bay aud lis tributaries, Ihe tight to CON sl1ad
the most direct roals 10 the AtiAistic srtlu
( OHIO, Indiana, and llliuois-Slases whose pop
ui*tian amounts 10 five aud half 0lil ious
+ tthe Baltimore aud OHIO Rsilr,al The fisi,s
/ to dragooa the State of Maryland ani the
western pArI oi your owa State, win Kan
/ tacky, Mlssouri, aud Tenaessss, lnio joInmg
/ the Sautaeru Goafederaey; the right 10 uesu-
I py tue iSittessos which pfotset sac AEade ol
lae u IL OF MexteU; ihe ltgat ssads apfhe
outlet OF fbe OaIo, sitssissiPP3, aild tue dis
sourl --and finally. she oialus the right for
I any Sfltr, tat chooses to pass law 10 that
offset, 10 break up the Uuiun. s. eaiofeug
tees neeaasf Ilutlansi. flsnussEssls. aa uaaasrt
OF us0fpa1i5ns. Sue ASKS 30 he i5t siJlej
and Rhc1 the t4ov,rnneal D! he Ual.el. t4les,
iu uLeG4ence 10 the solemn oarhs of It's mem
bers from which the leaders Ul t4e legv.t 4ls-
p+Bse themsslse>). AXE measures TO defend
ftseif, The Capstai u tide UDloa, ia pl0li,
establishments, aud The rights Of the sa0le
re pie agaiIst tins iuyasiog, Ioug premedi'ad
Oy tho ambitious aud disappointed politicians
TOR Mr.. A. ii. Stephens truly declares that
- be "the source ct great part Of our tr9n-
bles,' she exelaims that toe North seeks ia
suhing4ss tbe South."
/ canEot describe to you, mY dear frieuJ
the sorrow caused me by this state Of thugs.
+ Circumstances, as you well know, had led mt
/ to form personal friendly relations at the Soutt
more exclusively than most Northern uen and
the support gwen, especially Ia the Border
States, 10 the ticket GU which my maine wal
+ borne at the late election, filed me with graf
tltade. Ii the sacrifice OF all / have could
/ have sverted the present disastrous struggle
/ 1 eouiu have made 1t willingly, loytulig. But
/ 1 pray yea, believe me that | speak not oul,
my owu CONVICTION, but that Of the entire North
when | say that We feel that the conflict has
been forced 1pon US, To CRAFTY the aspiration:
/ of ambitious men; that II Is our duty to cur
selves, to our children, and TO the whole peo.
I pie, to sustain the GUvernDent; aud that i; is
II possible, more the interest OF the South
| than of the North, that this attempt TO break
up the Uulou shouid fal.
/ | renlala, my dear Mr.--,
SoFroWfnlly and sincerely yours,
~. 4 .ssEf