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


ened, divided, demoralized condition wo'd
constantly invite the aggressions of the
grasping potentates Of Europe. IF this
government has not the power of subdu-
ing a rebellion, it has not the power Of
preserving itself. 1t is now on its great
trial. Now is the time for the solution
of the grand problem. European monar-
chists point to this country as the last
great exemplifcation Of the impossbility
of a permanent republic. Do they predi
cate the failure of our country on the mere
fact that civil war exists What Nation
in all history has been exempt from it !!
Is it peculiar to Republics Then, whence
the civil wars that from her earliest his
tory until recent reigns, have time and
again, rayaged and scourged the British
Empire? Why is it, that England safe
y moored in that quiet cove of blest tram
guilty, a limited monarchy, has been fire.
quently torn from her moorings and tos-
sed madly in the.seas Of revolution If
monarchy be the symbol of strength
and perpetuity, whence the War of the
Roses? Why has the blood Of monarohs
ia France so often glutted the savage ven
geance of internal factions Civil war
indeed exists. a war on our part, to put
down an unnatural, ungrateful, nratrlcidal,
Hell-5orn Rebellion. Long plotted, it
has been hatched at last into wicked life,
and seeks, with treachery, falsehood, theft,
robbery, arson and murder, as its allies,
to dissolve the blood bought Union, our
priceless heritage from our foreiathers.
The magnitude of the contest, the tre-
mendous consequences of discontinue,
can hardly be exaggerated. But who
doubts the result Superiority OF strength,
numbers and resources, and the invincible
will of a united North must triumph
As certain as Truth and Justice sit. en-
throned in Heaven, there can be but one
issue from this conflict The North may
have to spend profusely her treasures, and
her patriotic sons their life-blood ike Wa
ter, but this Government must and ,cil
be sustained. The omens are auspicious.
Hitherto the Rebels, immensely inferior
to the Loya4ists in numbers and aggregate
wealth, have far exeelled US in energy
and vigor We were slow 10 appreciate
the true state of the case. Nor is it sur
prising. True to the Union and the Con-
stitution ourselves, hereditarily and proud
ly loving the one and religiously venera-
ting the other, we were 10th to believe II
possible that men were SO lost to the 9lo-
rious memories of the past and the bright
hopes of the future, as to recklessly and
dia5olically conspire to destroy both
Six hundred thousand free citiZens-vol-
understandable on the battlefield In
defence Of the Government, affords an ey-
idence Of strength which the world has
never before witnessed. Let monarchists
contemplate the incredible short time IL
which this immense army has been rais-
ed, the discipline to which 1t has attain
ed, the spirit of undying devotion which
anilnates all, and learn the lesson Of our
Republics strength.
The noble State which honors us with
seats in this Chamber, has been true to
her traditional renown. More than l0O,-
600 Pennsy ylvanians are now IN the held,
and wherever they have had an opportu-
nifty Of facing the foe, their actions have
shown them as martial in spirit as they
are distinguished for discipline. OF such
gallant spirits, ready to die for their eoun
try's flag, Pennsylvania may well feel
proud. We know that their names and
deeds will Illustrate the brightest records
Of this unhappy war, and that they VIII
never desert the post OF duty, until victo-
ry wroathes its laurels around their brows,
and the restored bond of union shall be,
.Unbroben as the sacred chain of nature
That binds the jarring elements in peace
The present session viii doubtless be
one of great importance. Whatever pub
lie affairs may demand our attention, Git
is needless for me to surmise what they
may be,) it becomes us to lit ourselves
above all personal and party interests end
to act in that grave, dispassionate and
dignified manner, which should ever char
acterize a Legislative body. From my
knowledge Of the Senate, | confidently
anticipate that the peculiar duties Of my
position Will be rendered light and easy,
by your cordial cooperation in the main
tenance of strict order and the careful OBJ
servance of parliamentary rules. Again
| thank you, Senators, for the honor you
have conferred upon me, and doubt not
that mutual prudence and patience vii
enable us to transact the business Of the
session pleasantly to ourselves and to the
welfare of our constituents.