The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-01-15
w II JICoBY, EDITOR.
BLO0MSDTRG, WEDAESDAY, JAkY I5lh, Is62.
anno DOmini 1862.


Tory since the United States became an in
dependent nation, has forever closed and
gone into the irrecoverable past. The year
1861 will ever be memorable in American
annals. Il Witnessed the beginning OF that
dreaded civil strife which the fathers of
the Republic apprehended, and against
which they solemnly warned their country
men, For the first time in our history the
blood of American citizens has been shed
on American soil by the hands-of American
citizens. Brother has encountered brother
in the deadly strife. Those who should
have remained united in the 6rmest honds
OF offriendship, have become bitter and In
placable foes. War fills the land with its
horrii ie.nuIi; and The nation, so lately The
abode OF peace and prosperity, is torn and
tcarred by civil conflict.
Atite commencement OF The year 1861,
the clouds OF wrath that have since en-
rhronded The nation were Just beginning
10 galher, and many efforts were made by
patriotic statesmen TO dispel elthem forever
The people of both sections OF the country
sincerely desired to avert the impending
conflict; and bun for the interposition of ar
rogant and reckless leaders, who for the
lime occupied positions OF influence and
authoriry, and used a;llheir arts 10 magnify
sectional differences, the people could have
been brought together 10 harmonic their
conflicting views aad pretensions. The sol
emn fact will ever rise in judgement against
The ultra leaders of the North and South that
al the commencement of the year 1861, Inc
vast majority of the American people, in
cludiug a majority in each great section of
the country, were anxious for a settlement
of the difficulties ens,rangieg them, without
resort 10 war and bloodshed. But selfish
and ambitious leaders wiled it otherwise.
AT the Norh the Republican party had just
obtained sectional triumph and elected a
President by minority Of the whole peo
pie OF the United States through the force
of sectional fanaticism and sectional organ
izaiion. The cohesive principle of this or
gsnizalion being animosiiy towards the
people and institutions OF the Southern
States, lis leaders objected to any abaie-
rnent Of lis pFetensions which might dis
solve the orgaEizaiion upon which their po-
liiical fortunes depended preferrEg to run
the risk of civil war, to The humiliation OF
snrrendering any of the dogmas that were
potent in mariiaIIing their fanaticaI array
TO victory. In vain did the conservative
portion OF their followers plead Tor adjust
meni and peace. In vain did the Demo
cratic party beg that the Uaion might not
- L 4 ri d.
for the preservation OF The Union by The
rational process of pacific adjustment, were
received with contemptuous sneers BY the
leaders who controlled the operations. OF
the ruling pariy-and with that mad sell
fishness characteristic of compounded
knavery and ianaiicism. they insolently de
fed conHicl the proportions and end ol
which they had not the capacity to estimate.
They we're mad wrong in everything they
did. Wrong in the organization OF their
sectional party; wrong in not needing the
solicitations OF The people for peaceful
settlement, wrong in their estimate OF South
ern character; wrong in their predictions of
the proportions Of the war; wrong in thei.
estimates of its influence and results. And
10 their persistent wFongbeadedness is The
country Indebted for the e. euts OF the year
1861
While the Ncrihern seclionaIists were
thus criminaEly in,erposing between tie
people and continued Union, she Southern
leaders were playing The same diabolical
game. On tie FIRST of January 1861 the
majority of The people in every Southern
Stale, with the exception of Souih Carolina
and possibly Alabama aud Mississippi,we
favorable to the Union upon the single con-
diiion that their rights under the Constitu
lion should not be distErbed. The secession
leaders were intent upon disunion at any
cost; bat they had not the confidence of
The people. The large property holders
were conspicnonsiy friends of the Union
while the penniIess politicians, led by a
few master minds. were conspiring TO out
wit and defeat the Jnionism Of the majority
who had the greatest stake in the preserva
lion Of good Government. Had the leaders
of he Republican party been endowed with
sagaciiy and patriotism enough 10 appreci-
ale this, and had they in unison with the
majority Norh aud Sou:h shown disposi-
ION to remove Southern apprshensions for
The future by just concessions. the disunion
leaders would have been thrown fiat on
their backs, and rebellion nipped in The very
bud. Bat unfortunately these ultra section
al factions. North and South, played into
each others hands, giving each oiher all The
aid and comtort in their power The vio-
Ience Of The disunionisfs increased The res
iuciance OF The Northern leaders 10 concsde
nnyihing-and The obsiinacy and Iesity Of
the latter gave the fofmer The desired op-
ponnnify for working upon Southern aPpFe-
hension. 0n both sides they interposed be-
tween willing maioFiies and compromise
and together they must stand accountable