Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-06-19
Our Position.

Our Position.
At the commencement of the present civil
war. we promptly announced our endorsement
of the course President Lincoln had pursued
up to that time, and our determination to sus-
tain him in all constitutional efforts he might
make. in endeavoring to save the Union and
put down the Southern rebellion We felt
that the time for Cancellation and compromise
bad goneby, and that civil war was calamity
which could no longer be avoided by the Gov
ernment, without acknowledging its inability
to maintain itself. We Gid not allow our feel
ings as partisan to lead US SO far, as to ma
lign Mr. Lincoln when he was doing right, to
misrepresent his actions and motives, aud en-
deavOr to assist 10 embarrassing him in the
discharge os his constitutional duties. To the
position then assumed we still adhere, aud
intend continuing to do so until the close of
the war. In doing this, we feel that we will
be merely faithfully discharging our duty as
good citizer, by sustaining the Government
which protects Us in the epjoyments of our
natural and inalienable rights.
But while we are determined to extend
jealous and cheerful support of the National
Administration, in the proper exercise of the
powers vested in 1t by the Constitution. We
have no idea of endorsing aud sustaining it in
the commission of acts clearly in violation of
either the letter or spirit of that sacred iustru-
ment. '' Let me exhort and conjure you"
says Junius. 10 addressing his fellow country
men, 80 never to suffer an invasion of your
political constitution, however minute the iu-
stance may be, to pass by. without deter
mined persevering resistance. One precedent
creates another. They soon accumulate and
cons ttute l'w. What yesterday was fact to-
day is doctrine" This if truthful and appro-
pirate when addressed to the English Nation,
is dOubly so when addressed to the citizens of
the United States
The powers confded to the President are
distinctly defined and limited by the Consti-
tuition. 1t is his duty to look to it as his
guide in the discharge of his official duties.
and when he arrogates to himself powers with
which it does not cloihe bin, he is a usurper,
and instead of sustaining him, it is the duty
of every freeman to condemn him The doc
trine of the British Government that q. the
King can do no wrong" has never been adOp-
ted in this country. aud applied to the Presi-
dent. Indeed during the last four years, a
large number Of the American people seemed
; TO think that the President could do nothing
that was right. Bu: j; is different now The
| men who would not admit that Mr. Buchanan
could do anything right. how seem to regard
it as little less thau high treason 10 assert that
Abraham Lincoln can do anything that is
wrong. He is right, according to their logic,
| in suspeDding the privilege of the writ of
hdJe0s corpus in certain sections Of the coun-
try, although the Constitution does not vest in
him the power of doing so. He is also right,
they tell US, in treating with contempt the De-
crees of the Supreme Court, and the venera-
bic Chief Justice of said Court is traitor in
refusing to ignore and miscuustrue the Con-
/ sJI!utiOu. D"ctrines Of this kind NAV suit
sD:ne people but they do not suit US, aud We
cannot and will not endorse them. Mr.. Lin
eo!u. aitho ugh President of the United States.
is nothing but failible man. and we there
.ole Intend to sustain him only when We be-
lieve him TO be right, and oppose him when
wo kn0~ him to DC rong-nothing exteDn-
a'ila nor setting DOWN aus sht in malice.