Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-02-21
For the Democrat.
The Patriots of tbs Border States.

are made to Republicans to sustain the 'Pa-
triots of The Border States" This seems TO
be very reasonable demand. We ought
certainly to sustain patriots everywhere, and
that We intend to do. But what is meant by
sustaining the patriots of the border States,
and who are they? Are they men who are
willing to submit to constitutional maiari-
ty? Are they men who are willing that the
Republican party shall have fair trial be-
fore the People? Are they ready to leave
the principles of Republicans to 5e approved
or condemned by the people acting in the
ordinary way by popular elections? Are
they so patriotic as o stand by the Union
without any reference to the party which
help us MAINTAIN the authority of the Gov
ernment in the execution, by legal means, of
all the laws of the Unon? Do they love the
Union and the Constitution more than they
tefests? | believe there are some such, aud
if SO, We shall d, all in our power to sustain
them. But has il not oceurrsd i to our people
that these patriots, of whom we have heard
So often, are only ON CERTAIN c4NDlTIeNs;
that they are willing TO fight for the stars
and stripes. only when the stars and stripes
shall be made the banner. under " hich SIa-
very shall fnd sale refuge from its own
weaknes and the scorn of christian civiiza-
t,un T.. Theye is no necessity to sustain this
class of men, for they are already rife for
treason. when they qualify their allegiance,
by designating the price by which we are re-
quired TO buy it. The proposition is, we
will be Union men for. and, in consideration
OF certain concessions /; otherwise we will be
disuuionists orour people will" Ifthere were
40 principles to be sacrificed in making the
concessions dem anded Ly these States there
would be still this very grave objection to
compliance. We are establishing a prece-
dent by which, in the future, any State may
demand the protection OF any particular in
terest under threat of accession, ard fed
her justifca ion in the Course the Snn.t,
States are about 10 take aud which -op ,bo
go Tor cohcess..,v,u are willing to allow to BE-
patriotic and right
Suppose Congress pass laws ab)Iishing du-
ties on imports, and the iron interests of
Pennsylvania suffer total destruction. Sup
pose, then. the people Of our State, though
their representatives inform the Government
that unl.ss their interests are cared for, they
: IL.
sections who have revolted on account of this
law among othe- things; bat that if thew
are scared in THEIR PECULIAR INSTITUTION.
they will FIGHT for the Government, DIE for
the Union and glorify the Ameri:aa flag
forever. Would Pennsylvania be patriotic
then, when she had offered her allegiance for
price Is any man PARROT who refuses
TO fight for his country because its policy is
not just what he woald have it I
The Wing Party would have been dsmned
to an eternal iufamy of disgracs. if it had
carried its opposition to the Mexican War to
the extent Of refusing in its prosecution.
Nc Sta,e or party has right TO demand any
thing from the Government. If they have
right to demand it they must have a remedy
if tha. right is disregarded Pennsylvania
has no ght to demand tariff ON iron. hut
she may eetiiion for it. labor FIR il, and vote
for it. Kentucky bas no right to denasd
the recognition Of Slavery in any territory.
but she may petition for and vote for it, and
induce, if possible. others to vote for it.
Bot you say. g The peopls of the Border
States will become disuponists unless con-
cessions are -nade. Il is not the leaders who
wish it. These patriots of the Border States
are patriots indeed, but they feel that unless
they can promiae their people some conces-
sions they will revolt" 1t does not change
the question 10 the least when VI are inform
ed that it is the people, not the leaders, whose
allegiance we are to buy. And fnails, rs
the responsible party to wlon, the Governs
meDt has been entrusted. we eannst be ex-
pscted to concede to this demand. as it is
nothing less than demand to US 10 forsaks
our principles for certain benefit. To your
petitions FOR redress of grievances, when they
shsli be presented. the party wsicb has ever
stood as the champion of the right of petit
non will give fair and candid hearing re-
serving the right to grant or refuse them as
policy Or duty may dictate. Ii it ia demand
ed as a right apd threats of rebellion, wa
shall refuse in order TO Eindicate the authori-
u of the Government. lfrebellion result, it
will be dealt with as circumstances NAV
seem to require, and its insigniHcanay or
magnitude sannot eject the du.y of the Gov
erpment 20 preserve iIself if that is possible.
II she revolution should succeed il cannot eff
feet the original Cove nment except in de-
.paling it OF part Of rs territory and OF is
resources mere temporary loss. The Gov
ernment will remain intact aud The Copsti-
tuition will retain its vigor. The secession
Of the Border States would not materially
strengthen The movement, for the same ele-
ment Of weakness exist in all, and enough
have already seeded to make blockade of
the @bele coast necessary, the only thing that
10 any event need be done. The Border States
have made demand, however, which pre-
sumo no one can think Of acceding 10; that
the States which have seeded shall not be
coercsd, ia other words, that the right of Sc
cession must be recognized Witness the