The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-08-21

A Card.
EBENsBURG, Pa, august Q, 1862.


EBENsBURG, Pa, august Q, 1862.
To the Editor Of The AHeghanian:
Having been requested by one of the
honorable committees on Military affairs
in this place to address Mass Meeting,
to be held on Saturday evening, 9th inst,
my answer was, that my only objection
thereto consisted in the difficulties I ex-
perienced in properly pronouncing the
English language. However, rather than
L should appeaH to be behind others in
acting any reasonable part that may be
expected from such an one as myself, I
hereby undertake to write my sentiments
upon the subject; and should they be
deemed worthy of publication in your
valuable journal, they are of course at
your disposal.
l am no politician. All plead for, as
the principles of my life, is, that justice
and peace, knowledge and purity, frugali-
ty and charity, liberty and order may
reign in all countries, courts, cases and
circumstances, all over the globe. Amen
be it SO. But, alas We find that
things do not proceed in this manner these
days, In this extensive and enriching land
| Of ours. Judgment is turned away back
ward, and justice standeth afar off for
truth is fallen in the street, and equity
cannot enter. r."-Qsaiah lix, I4) Yea,
| there are those to be found therein who
violently say, in words and deeds, "Let
us break their bands asunder, and cast
away their cords from us."-(Psalm ii, 81
| Thew dot 81 l. u
power lies, upon having everything in
their own way-be it good bad, right
or wrong; like those of old, when there
was no king or supreme magistrate in Is
rael, every man did that which was
| right in their OWE eyes. - Judges xvii,
b Now, l for one protest against such
wild and unruly notions and actings as
these. If they in the Southern States
have any just grievances to complain of
which l have no doubt they may have,
in their turn, as is usual amongst all other
States at times--then let those grievances,
or whatever other name they NAV be
called, be fairly met, aud redress sought
in reasonable, lawful and honorable man
ner, and not tlRpugh lawless and cow
ardly rebellion. 1t appears to me to be
our stern duty to adhere closely as nation
TO all our constitutional rights and dues,
whatever they may be, as long as they are
allowed to be so by the laws of our land.
And when any variation therefrom is de-
sired, or any alterations therein be reques-
ted, then let the same be fairly examined,
argumented, and perseveringly pushed on
at the right place and in the right way to
victory, which is by the Congress at
| Washington. Now, this would be enter
ing our puzzling difficulties at the right
door, and not thrusting ourselves over the
walls, as burglars and robbers generally
| do
1t appears to me that our Southern
brethren and friends in this rebellion of
theirs have taken a traitorCus side of the
question, and are determined, if able, to
carry it to an issue, let others live or die
as they may. This will not do, and shall
not do. They must be humbled to their
se4ses, and brought to know that there is
such thing as a Government amongst us
"a Government that will not yield its
rightful claims to any human beings with
in or without itself. [ do not commend
war in itself, much less would 1 exLort to
it if rebellion could be otherwise honor
ably dispelle6. War is always a sad rem
edy, but still it is remedy. Upon the
default of law-when the coercive power
OF the law cannot have effect-then war
is to take its place and supply the want.
The honor Of nation is as absolutely
necessary to its welfare and support as are
its trade and commerce, it being, indeed,
the great instrument: of both, and, per-
haps, their very safety and vital ssubsis-
tence. If a Government cannot preserve
itself in order, credit and respect at home,
it cannot expect to be less than dishonored
aud despised abroad.
Now, our flag has teen disrespecteG and
our Government dshonored and trodden
upon by our Southern neighbors. Shall
we not, therefore, come out as one man,
to teach them effectively the wrong they
have committed and are still committing
to society, to the Government, and to the
word of God ?
Our Southern foes, it appears, intend
to invade our homes and our lives. Shall
it be thus? What say YOU? If not,
then We are called upon without delay not
only to defend ourselves against their
tyranny, but also to subdue them to order
and compel them TO know who they are,
what they are, and how much they are.
This being the case, would suggest, first
of all, thar every man and every woman
fourth ,oos I