The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-01-23
Self AggraudiZe nseEas.

It's citizens, both native and adopted, d
much greater amount Of freedom, order
and prosperity than has been afforded un-
der the institution of any other nation.
Indeed it would not be possible to form
government where the rights of the citl-
Zeps could be better defined and protec-
ted, where liberty, in its true sense, could
be enjoyed TO a greater extent, or which
could be better intended to advance the
interests and promote the happiness OF all
living under it, For it was the people
themselves who established our govern
ment, and it is the people themselves who
control it. Our system recognizes them
alone'as the Sovereign Power, and when
ever they are fully satisfied that change
in our institutions will prove beneficial,
thew alone have the right and the power
to make it,
That such a government should have
most deadly enemies amongst the poten-
tates OF the old world, need not excite our
surprise Naturally the enemies of the
people, they must needs be the enemies
of that government which respects their
rights, ana acknowledges and asserts the
great political postulate that "all men are
created free and equal"
But why is it that we find, in our own
country, men Of intelligence and expert
enee, who are endeavoring to destroy our
free institutions? Why is it that men
are amongst us who are ready to risk the
overthrow OF what has been tried, and
proved to be good, in order that they may
enter upon the doubtful experiment OF
forming another government? Why Is
it that men who have occupied some OF
the highest and most honorable positions
in the councils Of the nation, are among
the first to seek the utter destruction of q
government to which they owe so much !!
We were long time realizing the sad
reality, that there were such characters
within the bounds Of our hitherto united
and happy country. We could not be-
le,e that such deep-seateG cnmity could
be harbored by any set of men against a
government which has been SO kind and
indulgent, and which has heaped so many
fa-ors and blessings upon their unworthy
heads 1t was hard to believe that the
government has for years been nesting in
its bosom, Il pack of poisonous vipers,
which only awaited an opportunity to
sting it to death. We say it was difficult
for us to believe all this but, however
dsagrecablc the fact, its realization was
forced upon us. Whatever Of doubt re-
mained in our mind upon the subject, it
was speedily dispellcd when the news
reached u.s. that our glorious ensign-that
flag which had been lonored and rcspec-
ted everywhere-had been dragged thro'
the streets of Charleston that our brave
and heroic soldiers had been beseiged,
and with fire aud sword driven from Fort
Sumpter; and that the Federal Capital
itself was menaced and threatened by q
large and powerful Rebel army.
Yes, there have been and are such men
in our land, and why With the cleo
ton Of Mr. LINCOLN, they discovered that
their power to control the affairs of state
must cease They could not tolerate the
idea Of being deposed-of being hurled
from places Of trust and profit, which
they had SO long occupied and enjoyed.
For years they had ruled our country,
and now they would ruin it rather than
submit to the will of the people. IF they
had lost dominion, they must at least dis
regard the popular expression which had
rrononnced them unworthy of it. They
must ignore the glorious memories of the
past, despise the teachings of our patriot
fathers; trample upon that blood bought
charter of our liberties and rend asun-
der that union which has so long been
the hope and safety Of free and happy
people. What if it cost blood-yes nv
ers of blood-to accomplish this still
they cared not. They must set up for
themselves they nust have a govern
nIent og their own.