North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-09-03


defiance to the execution of the laws and to
The sovereignty of the Government As Demo
Gratis, and therefore as loyal men, we can
know no other principle of political action,
but to uphold the Government and obey the
laws, and that the best evidence Of our firm
purpose to do go is, that as part OF the
people, we will demand the maintenance OF
the Constitution in all its parts and the
preservation of the Union in its perfect in
tegrity, and that we will hold all mon, North
7s we'll as South, who assail our Constitution,
IN whole or in part, as disloyal men, and the
enemies of the Union Of these States. Presl-
dent Eincoln, in his inaugural address, quo
tiog the entire provision in the Constitution
of the United States, relative to the return OF
fngitives from labor from any State, truly
asaid that he found that provision ''as plainly
written in the Constitution as any otner )"
and in the same address he justly declared,"I
Asve no purpose directly or indirectly to in
lerfere with the institution of slavery in the
states where it exists. believe | have no
lawful right to do so, and have no inclina-
tion to do So" Yet the AboIitioniSts of the
North are to day bringing to bear upon
President Lincoln fearful psessure to induce
MIN to exert all the powers which his official
position in present circumstances affords, to
act counter to this plain provision in the
Constitution and to his own pledge to the
american people. This pressure has been so
great that the President, IN his high position,
was induced to appeal to the Union-Lovng
congressman from the Border Slave States
for relief. Let the whole loyal people of the
State of Pennsylvania come forward in mass
meetings. and with our patriotic and deter
mined voice give assurance to President Lin
CJln of that relief which he seeks. Let US
assure him that the only relief he can ever
obtain is from the loyal masses, numbering at
least 100000 men in Pennsylvania alone, who
are firmly resolved that as they are the
sources of all power, and are the supreme
bower in the land they intend to preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution of the
United Sates," against all it's foes, whether
Abolitiohists or Secessionlsts.
Come fellow countrymen, as you value the
.;reat principles Of the Constitution as you
fove the Union of these States-as you would
avert despotlsm or anarchy-as it is your
light to defend the Constitution against all
is foes, and as it has the power to do so, de-
Tote the 18th of September next to such
demonstrations of the popular heart as we'll
'siyc moral support to all the friends OF the
country and serve to guide the policy Of the
Ulcers Of the government in opposition to
teadly and fatal counsels need not add the
eounsels which the Aholitonsts seek to give.
Next to the possession of our constitutional
-ights, we should strive to secure the most
thorough observance of order, and the per-
'aonal rights of every citizen. Our enemies
seek to impute to US a willingness to produce
collision of forces. If, by this is meant
eterelya determination to have our rights
it'der the Constitution, at whatever sacrifice,
'c' us assure them that while we feel to sur
rander these rights would degrade our man
~ Jod and, therefore no such surrender ever
VII be made, yea as good citizens we will
Aeieid everything but our honor and these
rights to avert such collision. We will appeal
10, we have the right to expect, and I trust
and hope, yea, believe, we shall have the help
i5f the officers of the government to aid Us in
protecting our rights and averting such col
tision. Let US show these enemies tina: we
veil understand the baseness of the hearts
Sat determined uponmonstrous wrong, would
a'ersist in such wrong, and impute dreful
@atastrophies which they may thus occasion
the friends Of the Constitution-of the
laws, md therefore Of the perseverance per-
feet order. Standing up as we do, only
20 resist ACCESSION upon our rights, upon the
heads of the aggessors must be the respons.
aity of any consequences of evil But, which
1.saF you-my countrymen, and the officers of
Government cooperating, guided be kind
aie4vep-avert
ae" 2" o'f' F. W. HUGHES,
at Chairman of the Democratic
a1l State Central Committee
phila August 14th 1862.