The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-09-10
Hon. Edgar CoWan.

UoettnOIciduu cOuHty, Vi tnls Ctdtci uo poiu
the following eloquent and just comp pliment
to Hon. EDGAR Cowau, one of Pennsylva-
MAS Senators in Congress- Senator
whom the Forney Mcclure Abolition
"Union'' State Convention a, Harrisburg,
and the Hickman Capron Abolition Union
meeting OF this county, repudiated
NM Feliotu- Citizens Of Westmorsldnd, |
| have ibus given you, in brief, a history of
this AbolitIon segment of the Republican
organization, where fanaiical schemes, thus
far carried out, have done much TO involve
this country in an almost hopeless accumu-
lalion OF troubles. II is par, of the policy
OF this sectional party to asperse, and seek
TO cover with ooloquy, whomsoever they
may find independent enough TO act out
the integrity OF a lofty character, by oppo-
sing, in any degree, the madLess which
seems their only principle of action This
they have sought to do in the person oil
your distinguished fellow citizen and neigh
Dor, the Hon. Edgar Cowsn. In the seat
which he occupies in the U. S. Senate, that
emiHate general honors alike his immediate
constituency and the State which he repre-
sents.
This is a declaration demanded By his
whole history, and particularly by his bold
and patriotic course in the Senate. Who
of you does not know that Edgar Cowan
was but poor boy, and that. by the force
of intellect and industry, he has attained
success and distinction. He has thus illus.
traed in his career, the influence OF free in.
silutious, upon the native powers and en-
ergies of the mind. ii is natural, as we'll
as jsst, that he should defend against in
fringement, a Constitution to which be
owes so much.
His speech against the Confscation Act
was the effort Of the lawyer and statesmen.
His manly defense of Jesse D. Brigh,
against The most disgracefnl persecution,
was worthy of Cato in his best days in the
Roman Senate. His resistance of The era
zy project of Charles Sumner 20 treat, by
legislative enactment, the States in rebell-
ion as escheated or forfeited territory, is he
more 10 be commended for his declaration
in that connection, ''thst the only way the
Uuion should be restored was that every
part 81 ocld enjoy its rights" His opposi-
ton 10 the scheme of substituting paper
money, in the shape of legal tender, Tor
gold and silver, was based upon consiItu-
tional law, and, in the progress of time aIl
must agree, was as full Of warning as il was
OF wisdom.
In the general scramble for plumber
which has appalled, the nation, and cover
ed all over with bloiches some in Congress
as well as in the Cabinet, Mr.. Cowan, with
his robes unsulied, walks abroad in the
light of the sun, and like Cesar's wife is
above suspicion.
History is full of examples of great men,
who, in The boiling cauldron of revolution,
and in the excitement of terrific passion
have suffered conde emnaiion for having dar-
ed 10 do right. In defense of a great cause
talents, Integrity and courage have ever TO
contend with ignorance. envy prejudice pas
sion and tyranny. These are the obstacles
everywhere to be encountered 10 the battle
OF lite in the struggle OF a nation 10 retain
government and in the purpose of Provi-
dence, seem 10 be tie destiny OF mankind.
MIR. Cowan, then, in his ably and manly ef-
fort in defense of the Constitution, as il
came from the pens of Madison, franklin,
Hamilton, and other compeers, and as il
received the approval of Washington,
could scarcely expect 10 escape the censure
or notice of faction, by whom this match
less instrument has been pronounced ia
cov0aant with death and an agreement with
hell" aud in whose regard nothing seems
to be sacred or venerable. Cicero, at the
imminent peril OF his life, opposed all the
powers OF evil in Rome, in suppressing the
conspiracy of Cafaline. He diG it to save
his country and succeeded but il sent him
into exile as soon as Cesar and Clodus sue
ceeded 10 the Consulate. Edmund Burke
and the elder Pitt,i their immortal speech
es in The British Parliament, defied the
Crown, in doing justice to the American
Colonies. The great French lawyer and
unbIemished patriot, Malesherbes, at every
pc rsonal hazard, defended with unavailng
eloquence The unfortunate Louis The XVI,
against The clamors OF bloody-thirsty mob
for such had the National Convention now
become. He failed, but his devotion
brought him 10 the scaffold.
Daniel Webster, in 1850 in defiance OF
the heresies OF Massac huselts, stood out up
on the ramparts OF the Constitution, and
defended, with the zeal of patriot, the
noble charter of our institutions and the
Union of the States. In which of these in
stances does not the clear dispasslonale
voice ofshistory, rise in ringiag tones of ap-
probation of the moral heroes who stood
by the cause OF JUSTICE, and of TRUTH !
II Mr.. Cowan, therefore. has incurred odium
in resisting the mad torrent Of faction, in
his noble efforts 10 suppress this mad re-
hollian uadar tha hroad Eoia of fha Cnn.