Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-02-15

Thus has South Carolina shut the door against
reconciliation, asserted independence. ard begun
the attempt to establish, upon relctionary princ
pies, new government with basis antagonizing
il 70 all European Powers, whose recognition they
expect to purchase by promises OF profitable trade
Let us, for the sake of the past not the possible
future, and more ia sorrow than In anger, screen
from further view the petucnce, prejudice, and
hatgtd the unh0ly ambition and lIeadloug despera-
tion Of the present masters of South Caroliua,
whose is the anomalous position OF having COM
plants without foundation, grievances without ac-
tualhty, suffering without burdens, and apprehen-
sious without reason.
The other seceGiag States, wisely profting by the
example OF South Carolina held their conventions
with closed doors-having published no report of
the debates on the adoption of their ordinances OF
seeessioa-aua have, prudently, Tefrained from at
eemping to give detailed statement of their
grievances. This, also, is significant Every step
in this reasonable movement betrays the conscious
guilt Of its participants
IT'S INEVITABLE FAILURE.
AS, Mr. Speaker, have thought Of the possible
destruction of this Union, and iorocasted the man
fold aud terrible afilieti0os wbeh must ensuc, |
have been overwhelmed with lismay at the depth
and darkness of the abyss toward whose brink
have been tending. Ii is unfathome9 and unfath-
enable. BY none Of us or ours be the attempted
nleasurment ever made! But will this calamity
oveTts1e us | hope-yea believett wiz not.
Such self destruction is in the highest degree un-
natural and criminal. Il is not only yiolatve of
every instinct, but destructive of every valuable
interest. immediate and prospective. Not only
would dissolution result in several subdivisions,
Rith endless complications, each fruitful source
OF irritation net only would 1t subject the weaker
TO the stronger, and open Us TO the denoTalizng
diplomacy OF the conteuiug factions, families. and
houses of Europe, thus committing crime against
Eepubieansm; hat il would destroy American
unity, which is one Of the great facts Of history:
thus committing crime against humanity. All
faces feel his yearning for union; aad MANY have
struggiingly, and for years vaiuly, sought 1t. To
us it came early ana without difficulty, for we
countered few or no disturbing causes ; and hence
value II toe lightly. What the hOme 10 cling Is
10 the indiy iduaI national unity is to people
The former anlocks his soul, leads him n paths OF
perennial beaaty, fills him with noble emotions, and
f.s him for higher liie The latter, by mys.eri-
oss but powerful attraction, clasping in brother
hood those who one in lineage and language,
coEsoliates their energies, nttnsies their powerf
multipieS their capacities and drives them, with
ever renewing YigoF, to the fulfment of their
mission. Tyrants cannot crush this, Even Ma
poleou, in the pride Of his power aad the flush OF
brilliant victoryhis heel on the neck of natonali
ties whose empires he had master ed-could not re-
construct tAe map Of Europe. Ages cannot dim
it for at this monent the world thrills with the
spectacle Of the lone-lost Italian nation reas sering
its unity, end after weary and fearful oppression
gathering up its lifo clements for consolidation into
a hberal and powerful government.
How differently we appeati The events
4rausplrirg on our Gulf coast proclaim reyo-
lution threatened without just or adequate cause
nor so much by open as secret means; not in
fpirit of lbougbtfnlness, but madnass; not in
deliberston, but rasbness; not in maniness,
tnt eovertness; its purpose 20 disTni'e men Of
.one race long united under the freest ard best
'institntions, enjoying and having enjoyed une-
euallesl eivil, political, sorial, family, and uer-
sonal blessings. Can such movement, thus
initiated carried on, and aimed, be sucessful!-
Surely, no. ltcobt@ins within itaelf The causes
of Inevitable failure. IL ought to fail Il will
fail. Man cannot afford lis success. The
American peop,a will not allow t. God Il
speak il wish revereneeJ will not permit the
sacrileeioub overthrow. Every instinct feyolts
at it. Every principle rebels against il. Every
interest cries aloud 10 earneAt protest States
mag reel aud fall; communities may forget their
duties; majorities may be Iaisled; citizens NAV
neglect their trust; folly, terrorism, aud treason
may rule the hour; but rhe storm will pass. the
calm come, and peace be again within our bor-
ders. Ii may DOT be very soon. The yiius is
Lot thus easily expelled from thu body polite.
Blows arc not so soon forgotten. flashes 40
not at once heal up; and when they do, sears
are left Bat ibis mach is certain; this Uhiou
will not be destroyed. You ask, wha; will save
It'll answer: shat everything, ever thaklng
mass the peOple-wil save IT, But howl
Through the agencies within their reach their
popular assemblies, aud The myriad forms of
their organized life: their local legislatures,
State conventions, congressional representation
aud executive bead. upoa each deyolpius
share Of the labor and responsibility. Il may
not be done in day. aad gentlemen should
not demand such precpitancY Years were
required fo- the originsl construction, and time
IS bow needed to dissipate passion. reveal truth.
ana induce rational views Of duty. Complaints
must be examined, opinions compared, aud a
policy determined Whatever eau la5riy be
asked Of ,ae, ain ready to DO, as my votes
viii show.
Aean"hile, whatever be the precipita'e or
craven conduct Of complaining States, the
doFefpOent should preserve It's positiou--giv-
Ing up 30 right, escaping from 10 duty, aud
eooeediog no release from allegiance to itself
C2moiaing the magnaninty of the powerful
Win the tenderness of tAe layi0g, while as
seFting aud msiBtaining its authority it should
EXHAUST eli peaceful ageueies TO restere the
ftensled TO scundness Of mind and sobriety Of
Judgment. But if eonoilstioa should not
aweAsa d9rlDaDt patriotism, aor kiuGuess pro-
dnsa consideration; Il, 10 dire iofatu.tion, all
honorable adjastment be spuruel, all peaceful
accommodation be refused then will have or
rived tise 'lme TO ',est the strength of the
tIoFernmsai." SIR. ] both dread and repro
oa;e collision; b0t il to maiatain tals Govern
u.sat against sile cop piracy, aud save our
setRcs IRON anarchy aud tho republican system
from contempt; il, TO protecr our property from
sPolistlon gli orr Gag from dishouor, if, to
keep irgm he page Of hi,tory tie scornful
sentenee, ''ffee Institutions are a f4ilure,'
collision must come, le, it come, and upon tho
aegfezs9rs rest the responsibility. I;has been
remarked bg profeuod thinker, with as much