Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-01-10
:. Z. 3; q. G2gRasea sT1aReGk. EDITORS.
TOWANDA
SECESSION AND CONCESSION.

| There is no concealng the fact that we have
fallen upon evil times. There should be no
desire or attempt at such concealment, when
the Union is in peril from treason and treach-
cry and cowardice. The fell spirit of disuuion,
throttled by the hero JACKSON, has regained
full vigor, and rears its horrid front, defying
both reason, justice and the power of the Co.
vernment. Unfortunately no JACKSON now
controls the helm of State. The bold policy
which brooked no treason, which countenanced
ors, has been succeeded by weakness and vas
cillation, if not by actual treachery, until
sufficient encouragement and opportunity has
been given to the traitors of the South to con.
coct and develope their schemes, and the coun-
try seems on the very verge Of civil war;
At This late day, after treason has been al
lowed to stalk rampant over the Southern
States. and Sympathizers in the Cabinet have
transported t0 the South the munitions of
war from Northern arSenals-at time when
the leaders are already preciptating matters,
and taking possession of fortresses, arsenals
and vessels, and defying and scoffing at the
! power Of the Government, the Admnstra-
I tion seems to have been somewhat strengthen
ed, and is disposed to vindicate the integrity
of the States, and preserve the reputation of
/ the Government. Let us be thankful even
| for that. Let US give praise to Mr.. BUCHANAN
that after exhibiting so much weakness, he is
disposed to be guided in measure by braver
| men. Whoi is there that believes if the proper
energy and spirit had been exhibited by the
Administration that the South would have
been wild with secession, that the forts would
have passed from the possession of the United
States and that treason would have carried
matters with such a bold front? Are there
men bold enough to be found who would have
dared to approach Gen JACKSON, as the South
Carolina Commissioners approached Mr. BUcH
ANAN? With all their clustering and swag-
gering, We do not believe there is Southern
hotspur who could have sought such mission.
But encouraged by the cowardice and want
of resolution in Mr. BUCHANAN, and by the
presence of conspirators iu his Cabinet, the
DisunonistS have thought this favorable time
to ccnsummate the schemes which have been
maturing for thirty years The election of
LINCOLN is used to arouse the slave holding
States TO condition of frenzy by false and
exaggerated statements as to the policy and
purposes of the incoming administration. That
| they have succeeded too well, there is no de-
nying The Union seems to be ready for dis
solution, and for the war and anarchy which
must inevitably follow such dissolution We
say that dissolution seems" to be imminent,
| because we do not believe that with all the
thunders which indicate a coming storm, that
there can be any dissolution of this Union
We believe it is to remain intact, despite the
efforts of those who are laboring to establish
Southern Confederacy.
The fancied or real peril of the occasion
has brought forward plenty of schemes to
avert the danger-schemes of Compromise and
Concession. Northern men-sound Repub-
licans. We believe-are displaying that feeling
which has always been predominant charac.
teristic Of our Northern Statesmen-to con-
cede and conciliate and give way to the over
bearing exactions and aggressions of our
Southern brethren. Strange to say, the les
son has not yet been fully learned that one
concession only creates the necessity or desire
for a second, and as we yield to the humor
and demands of the South we are pushed to
still greater lengths. The more moderate of
the Secessionists are good enough to indicate
the terms upon which they will coDdescend to
tolerate our company little longer. Either
they suppose that they have only to bluster
and threaten to make the North cringe in alb
ject submission, or else they are determined to
60 to extremities. The concessions they de-
mand are such as no Northern man would
tolerate for a moment. Southern statesmen
have never claimed for the peculiar institution
the guarantees which are now asked as the
price by which the good behavior of the South
ern States, may, possibly, be bought. The
most extreme slavery propagandst has never
set up such outrageous assumptions as are
now said to be the only means of saving the
Union. 1t seems as if the slave-olgarchy had
grown arrogant as they progressed in treason.
1t is now demanded that Slavery shall be
incorporated in the Constitution that guar
antees shall be given, which will change the
whole spirit and tenor of our institutions
that the peculiar institution shall be pro.
tected, encouraged and extended, until virtu-