Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-08-16
For TIE Inquirer.
UUnBERLAND VALLrY, August 7th 1861.


Mr. EDIToR:-l don't know as communi-
cation in reply to our little nsighbor hero at
Centregille is called for; but as We very well
know that the articles under consideration did
not originals in the brain of this tittte chttds
Mccoy, but in the brain Tor probably ia the
belly, for il does net seem 10 me at all proba-
bic thai man possessed of an ounce of COM
mon sense would write such articles,) OF full
grown man, and AM convinced that there is
clique here In the Valley who are determin-
ed, if possible, by coUtrt means, to destroy
every particle of union sentiments, to root out
al true patriotism, and to bring about feel
ing of repugnAnce and distrutt toward every
measure that ia brought for the preservation of
the Union and the enforcement Of ths laws
And tell you plainlys from personal knOwl-
edge, that there are honest meu, who are good
citizens, (yet not acquainted with the issnes st
stake,j and, unfortunately for them, are made
the plant dupes of this designing clique
This is the reason Why / notice the article in
question at all, for Osborne g. Mccoy 10 only
. child; consequently not responsible. And
think man very poor thing indeed who
will make cttLd mouth piece OF asscat's paw"
to "puil the chestnuts out of the Ere with"
Now neighbors, let me say to you all, that
it is not my intention to throw fire brands into
sOciety-to cause heart burnings and i'll will
so spring up amcng the people; neither shall
deal in personalities, only so far as they are
identified with the great question of the day,
or aught about the responsibility of ahy one.
have nothing to do about private character.
The Gazette correspondent says that do
not speak the sentiments of the people of the
Valley. said that there were but very few
men in the Valley that we're not Hsouud Uniok
men aud stauneh supporters Of the Constitu>
tlop." Now venture the assertion that there
are n0t fUs men in the Valley who will
admit that they are traitors, and that there are
not ten men who will say that they are not
Union men and supporters of the Constitution.
He says that / am swell known in this towL-
ship aad about as little thought Of" Shades
of scissors and uutmegsi some sound Iogac
an fhat.l know that l am we'll known, but
what people think OF me, or how they appreA
ciate what | sometimes write, neither know
nor care. The position thai / have taken in
the present crisis is one that believe, strict
ly speaking, TO be right, act from conviO-
ton that for what say aud do regarding our
present national difficulties, will be account
ablO, not to this little clique in the Valley, but
to him who holds the destiny Of nations 10 bis
grasp. Therefore, | ask no favor in pOliti-
cal point Of view, but only ask TO be let alone
IN the enjoyment of my own opinions. seek
not 30 wreSt the opinions of any man from him,
neither shall any man deprive me of the frees
dom Of thought. ] think none toe worse of
a man--think him none the less q christian,
for differing With me on political opinions
The present issue 10 one that has been forced
upon the country, and the government is eom-
pelled to accept its only remaining mode of
settlement Ia order to preserve our nationality,
leaving other issues for other times aud cir
oumstanoes to settle. in my opinion the first
duty Of all frue patriots is, TO put an end 10
secession principle. If one State has q right
10 socede, another State has the same right
II cluster of the Southern States has a right
to demand shsir Independence, the New En-
gland, ths Middle and the Western States have
tke same right. IF this secession principle,
(which is used to give pleasant name TO tho
Wickedest rebellion that ever blacksnsd the
history Of the world,) q principle permitting
any State or States to fy to arms and defy
she laws and proper constituted authorities of
the government, h 10 be sllowed, We must
then inevitably sink into little Laltry States,
and degenerate from once proud, prosperous
and Free nation. into dcspotispl, anarchy aud
ruin. No! by Gods help Rebellion must be
pnt down. The Gazette man seeus to think
fhat an "Willfullv blind" This is not the
case, if am blibd | am not wilfully go.
Suppose we we're to admit that State, in
its sovereign capacity (which we do not intend
to do,) has right to withdraw at pleasure from
the proper Government of the United States
On what grounds can they be justified for
stealing government property; for taking fo.r
cible possession of forts and arsenals; for firing
into unarmed vessels; for commencing an uns
provoked attack on Fort Sumter: for threat
ening to destroy our national Capital, and for
sending ont squadron of piraticAl vessels to
play upon the commerce Of the United States
On what grounds will fhss smart correspondent
to the Gazette attempt to justify the Baltimore
mob that attempted 20 stop the passage of
United States troops on their march TO the
defense Of The capitol; what excuse or justif-
cation will be attempt to make in behalf Of
Gov. jackson OF No., or Gov. McGofin OF KY.
Come, smart Gasette man, let us hear your
apology for the raising OF armies 10 loyal
States Cor the subjuga,ioa Of, not only the u.
8. Government, but Oh The State governments
themselves. Now as you attempt to set mp
dogmAs in contradiction to the officially de-
clared opinions Of Democratic governors, we
viii expect TO hear your justi6catiea of
the foregoing. Try in your next oommuni>
cation TO get little above old Brown aud the
Helper book, for any body that does not una
dcrstand these questions already are too mig
garaly ignorant foe any one 10 attempt to epa
tighten. For my own part have read the
Constitution ence 10 my life, and recollect
one clause distinctly, which may be found in
the Sd Section, Articlea3d of the Constitution
OF the United States, aud reads as follows:
WIreason aqninak the United Sfafaa shall CON