Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-09-20

I
the millions sunk within few years al
Har risburg by corruption-thec contempt
with which Republican rapacity has there
set aside the constitutional guarantees for
the extinguishment of the public debt
All eyes are turned to larger field of OBJ.
servation, where greater interests are in
volved and in peril.
The authority of the Constitution OF
the United States is now openly defed
in ten States and threatened in others,
and it has been found necessary to raise
large armies and expend enormous sums
OF money, in order to restore it. In fact
ii is not yet restored, nor would casual
observer ofpast events suppose that much
real advancement had been made toward
its restoration, during the sixteen or eigh.
teen months that have elapsed since the
war began.
Meantime the Federal Executive has
upon many occasions resorted to meas.
ures Of an unusual character, not author
lied by the Constitution and laws, upon
the ground that they were necessary to
the public security.
And in the Congress of the United
States, at the last session, many bills
framed i'll utter disregard of the Consti-
tuition were introduced and urged, and
some whose constitutionalily was denied,
apparently upon good grounds of reason
and authority, were enacted into laws.
These things have occurred under the
rule of the Republican party, which came
into power by virtue of the elections of
1860.
In contempt ofthe warnings of Wash
ington's Farewell Address to his coun-
trymen, the Republican party was foun.
ded by Mr.. Seward, Mr.. Lincoln and
others as sectional party, upon the un-
founded assumption that there were
irreconcilable differences between the
North and South leading to ''irrepressible
conflict" and that new party was ne
cessary to uphold Northern interests and
opinions, and make them predominant in
the government. Foiled for time, these
men were ultimately successful. Appeal
ing to local prejudice and popular passions;
improving every public event to increase
ill-feeling against the Southern section of
the country and against conservative men
North who stood aloof from their move.
ment, they succeeded in consolidating
various elements into one compact and
powerful party. A fanatical element,
strong in New England and holding the
balance of power in New York, Ohio
and other States, was one of those selec-
ted. Another element was drawn from
the old Wing Party, which, in its decay,
left its members to seek new affiliations
and connections. Naturally enough the
more passionate and ambitious of former
leading Wings passed into new party
which showed signs of vigor and growth,
in preference to joining the party of their
former opponents. Dcserters from the
Democracy were also invited into the
new organization and became prominent
and efficient in its service. They were
heard loudest and fiercest of all against
their former associates. Wilmot, Cam.
eron, Forney and others like unto them,
have been both jealous and violent in
the new cause, anil hare been duly rewar.
aed The objects they sought have been
obtained-power, patronage, plunder and
revenge! That the country bleeds in
consequence of their rapacity and pass
ions, would seem to awaken in their
breasts no feelings of contrition.
In brief, there was an ill-omened con-
junction of the fanatical and plunder
interests Of the North-the Aboltionist
and the Manufacturer-the disciples of
the school Of ancient Federalism and the
renegades of Democracy-all bent upon
power, and all inspired by hatred of that
ancient party whose equal and just rule
had held the country together and given
it unexampled prosperity for sixty years.
To these interests were added a large
following, made up of well inten toned
persons-young men, naturalized citizens,
and ancient Whigs-who, purposing no
evil, were utterly incredulons of the
catastrophe which was to follow upon
success. In vain were they told that the
wisdom of Washington was above the
wisdom of Seward, and that this new
experiment of party, unlike all former
ones, was full of danger to the peace and
union of the States. "Madness ruled the
hour" and all counsel went unheedcd.
1t may be urged that all this belongs to
the past, that we cannot turn back the
tide of events and stand again where we
stood before the days of folly. Equally
we'll may it be said that we cannot return
to the days of the Peace Conference and
the Crittenden Compromise, when Repub-
lican opposition extinguished the last
hopes of peaceful adjustment. The two
sections of the country now confront each
other in arms, and their dispute is ire
vocably submitted to the arbitrament of
the sword.
But we may derive instruction and
warning for the future, by recurring to
The origin, composition, and former acts
Of this existing and powerful party. 1t
is unquestonably the most injurious and
destructive one known in our history, and
offers no promise of future improvement.
Its evil characteristics still adhere to it.
The vice of its original character--its
intense sectionalism--is yet present and
potent for evil. Its views of constitu-
tional obligation. are as lax as ever, and
e. al