Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-07-10

M oblorl t no elevate lhu condition OF
MN ~ iin nflInrinl Weights from oll
shondrfs no rlp1r lhu mathis of lqulf hlo
nnfsuil nr 1ll t0 afford all an uniotirrrd
tlnri, mud mir chnrco Iu llic toco ol lil,
yielding lo to1inl nnd iunpofaJy du.
nnrturas from necessity, this ir the lead.
inr object Of the Government Tor whose
nsistcnco wo contcnd.
am most happy 10 believe that the
plhin people understand and appreciate
hs. It's worthy Of note. that, while in
hs, the Hoyc.nmcnt's hour of trial. LARGE
Numbers Of those in the army and navy
who have been favored with the offices
bayc resigned, aud proved false to the
hnnd That had pompered them, not one
conmOn sOldict or common sailor l.
Known to have deserted his har. Great
honor is due TO those officers who remain.
ed true despite the example Of trcachcrous
associates. But the greatest honor and
mos important fact Of all IS the uncom-
mon iirmness Of the common soldiers and
common sailors. 70 the last man, so Tar
ms known, they have successfully resisted
traitorous efforts OF these whose commands
but an hour before they obeyed as absolute
law. They understand without an Grgu
mont, that the destroying Of the Govern
ment which was made by Washington
means no good 10 them. On popular
Government has often been called an eX-
porimcnt. Two points in it our people
have already settled the successful es-
tabliyhing and the successful administer,
ing Of it. One still remains-its success
ful maintenance against q formidable at
tempt to overthrow it. 1t is for them 60
demonstrate to the world that those
who can fairly carry an c.ect'on can also
suppress rebellion that ballots are
the rghtiul ard peaceful successors of
bullets, and that when ballots nave fairly
and constitutionally decided there can be
no successful appeal back 10 bullets, that
there can be no successful appeal except
TO ballotsthem'elveS at succeeding cleo
ions. Snch will be a great lesson of
peace, teaching men what they cannot
take by an election, neither can they take
IL by war; teaching all the follies OF being
tbs beginners of war.
Lest there be some uncaSincss in the
minds of candid men as to what is to be
the course of the Government towards the
southern States after the rebellion shall
have beea suppressed, the Executive
deems II proper to say it will be his pur-
pose then, as ever, to be guided iy the
Constitution and the laws, ard that he
probably will have no different under
standing Of the powers and the duties of
the Government relatively 90 the rights
OF the States and the people under the
Constitution, than expressed in the lnau-
gural Address. lie desires to preserve
the Government, that it may be admiuis-
tered to all as it was administered by the
mel who made it. Loyal citizens every
whore, have the right to claim This of
tler Government and the Government
has no right to withhold or neglec. it. 1t
Is not perceived that in giving it there IS
any coercion, any conquest or subjugatOn
in any INST sense Of the terms.
The Constitution provides, and all the
States have accepted the provision, that
the United States shall guaranty to every
Sta'e in this Union republican form of
government. But if State may lawful
ly 60 out OF the Union, having done so, it
may also discard the republican, form of
government so that to prevent its going
oui, il is all indispensable to use every
means TO the end of maintaining the
the guarantee. When an end is law
ful and obligatory the indispensable
ans to obtain it are also lawful and obli-|
gatory. ...........B ........ .....
II was wish the deepest regret that the
Executive found the dutyofcmployingt the
war pOSer in defence nl the Government
forced upon him. lie could but perform
this duty or surrender the existence ofthe
doyernmeht. No compromise by public
ser, ants could in the case be made. Not
that compromises are not often proper, but
that no popular Government can long SUI
viye marked precedent, that those who
carry an election can only save the Gov
eminent from immediate destruction Ly
giving up the main point upon which the
people gave the election. The people
Themselves, and not their serI ants, can
saf'l reverse their own deliberate dec:S
ions. As private citizen the executive
could not have consented that these instis
tutions shall perish much less could he.
IN betrayal OF 50 vast and so sacred a trust
as these free people had contidcd to him
lie felt that he had no moral right to
shrink, nor even to count the chances of
his own life in what might follow. In
full view Of his great responsibility, he
has, so far, done what he la, deemed his
duty. You will now, according to your
own Judgment, perform yours. lie sin
csrely hopes that YOUR views and actions
may so accord with his as to assure all
faithful citizens wEo have been disturbed
in their rights ola certain and speedy res
tolaton to them under the constitution
and the laws.
And having thus chosen our course,
Without guile and with pure purpose, let
us renew our trust in God, end go forward
without fear and with manly hearts.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
JulY i, 1861.