The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-03-14
THURsDAY:::::::::::::::::::::::::::;;::::MARCH L
rae Bsayym OF Prosperity.

Independent, that the people OF thls coun-
try are not so utterly demoralized as not
to feel a great sense of relief at the tone
Mr. Lincoln's Inaugural Address. There
is not on the face of the GLOBE another
nation that could have maintained its
integrity for three months, as this has
done, without government; but the re-
lief, nevertheless, ought to have been, and
we hope was, great with men of all parties
when the news was spread on the thousand
wings of the press, on the morning Of the
9th of March, that 4 government was re-
stored to us. In republic, every man,
whether consciously or not, feels a sense
OF personal responsibility when the func-
tions of the government are suspended,
because il exists only by the viii of the
people; and from that responsibility he
feels discharged when the hands to which
he has deputed his powers give token OF
having accepted it, and of being capable
of sustaining it. The clear and forcible
address Of Mr. Lincoln, therefore, must
commend itself to all sensible men, even
to those who do not agree with his pro-
posed policy. The worst that can befall
people is anarchy, and anarchy is the
natural end of a government which was
always imbecile except when it was treach
erous. The only evidence Of vitality
which Mr. Buchanan Administration has
given for three months is the activity Of
the traitors composing it, and who have
betrayed their country. That q feeble
and doting old man has given place to one
who has vigor and purpose and courage,
is a thing to be devoutly thankful for; for
few weeks more of mere driveling talk
of Union, and dastardly submission to
armed rebellion and disunion, would have
left the Government a wrecked and help
less hulk.
Mr.. Lincoln's Address is the wisest
state-paper issued to the American people
since the Declaration Of Independence
While there is no weak compliance on the
one hand, there is no exasperating defiance
on the other; but assuming that he is, by
the choice of a majority of the people, the
President OF the United States, and deny
ing that the right of secession exists short
of revolution, he avows his intention of
executing the laws. To execute the laws
is to assert the authority of the Federal
Government over all its property, terrific
rial or otherwise, and this involves the
necessity of resuming possession Of all
forts and other places which have been
unlawfully seized by insurgent forces
within her borders. The President does
not go step beyond this. lie recognizes
his first duty-to establish the Govern
ment When this is done, whatever other
questions may afterwards arise-whether
we shall agree to dissolve the Union with
other States or not, whether with part
of those Of the Southern section, or with
the whole of them, are questions TO be
settled when they arise legitimately, and
when the integrity of the General Govern
ment is established.
This may be called by the border states
coercion, and there are those among US
even who maintain that it is to commence
civil war. On this point the address is as
unmistakable as it is impregnable A
civil war, If there shall be any, will be be-
gun by those who resist the Government
in the legitimate assertion of its rights
The President will do no more than this.
He will assert the authority of the Gov
ernment over all the property belonging
to it, and nothing more. Nay, he propo-
ses even to be forbearing, and will not
insist upon the appointment of Federal
officers where such appointment would be
obnoxious to the people among whom they
are to exercise their duties IF the people
of the South insist upon dcpriving them
selves of the benefits OF Federal insfitu-
tions, they will amply be permitted to do
so but where, as in the collection of the
duties upon imports, the whole country is
concerned in the enforcement Of the laws,
they are to be enforced. The Government
will thus compel respect and obedience,
and avoid all collision except where it is
made inevitable by resistance. Treason