Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-09-02

These original and unreinquished
rights are out Of the Law iul reach of the
Federal Government. Its Office and
sworn duty is to protect them not to
attempt TO change them,
II the coniederaoy should crumble 10
pieces, if the constitution we're TO i pass
away. those ighls would remain unsha-
ken--would exist while those States exist
whatever should become OF the confed-
eracy. Instead OF losing any Of their
high sovereign power, on the subject re-
ierred to, that power was expressly re-
served, both in the Articles Of Confedera-
tion and in the Constitution of the United
States and the non-saveholding States
not only admitted and sanctioned it, but
bound themselveves to return fugitive
slaves to the South.
On this question OF slavery, those States
are just what they were before they en-
tered into the Union-soyereig and in
dependent.
And the non-slayehclding States are,
in reference to the same question. what
, they were before that paet--toreign
communities.
South Carolina and Virginia had no
more connection with us on the suject cf
slavery, than Russia or g eat Britain we
had no more night TO interfere with her
domestic legislation on the subject OF slaY-
cry, than we had with the internal aliars
OF those Kingdoms. Nor is tie South un-
der any greater obligation than these ma
lions would be TO submit TO such interfe-
renee, without vindicaling her rights,
and Furnishing those who dare TO disturb
her tranquility.
If the Nurthern States violate these
rights, or permit their citizens to do so,
they rot only break the compact, but
make i, The duty of the injured States to
defend themselves as a free people .hould,
from violation Of their sovereignty.
! We Of the North entered into the Union
compact was subject to this :eseryaiion.
We pledged ourselves 10 observe il.
Everything sacred to Us rs patriots, as
! Amercans and as men, stands pledged
| Tor or honorable adherence to the faith
then plighted
! Not only by our solemn compact, but
! by lhe laws which govern the conduct Of
all civilized nations, are we bound, at
once ar q forever. TO cease all warfare up
on the slave institutions Of the Southern
States. Vatteli, in his Lar Of Nations,
says; C..
The sovereign who refuses to cause a repara.
ton to be made Of the damage caused by his sub
ject, or to punish Iho guilty, or, in short to de-
| liver him up, renders himself in some measure an
| accompce in the injury, and becomes response
| bic forit."
We dc not hesitate to say, that the
South would he justified in resisting any
! aud every advance rt abolitionlsm upon
The domain of her rights, if the General
Government had even failed to deferd
| and protect those rights. The frs; mo-
ment that abolilionisn had rendered life
and properly, in those States, inSeeure. and
| the General Govcrnmcnt had failed in its
| duty to them. their right 10 seize the
sword, and resist aboliIionism and the
whole world in defense of their laws,
stands unquest.oned add unquestionable.
But here is the weak point OF the South
in its present armed attitude for altho'
there had for years existed in the North
organized tands against her rights, which
urged an iuce,sant guerrilla warfare uron
! her institutions and her peace, yet the
| Federal Government had Gever proved
iailhless to her. Though every Northern
State, excerpt New Jersey, had trampled
the constitution and laws OF the Union
under their feet, in violation of the rights
Of hos States, still the Federal Govern
ment had remained firm and faithful in
! lhe defense os those rights.
1t is true that sectional party-a party
of one idea, and that of hostility to them
had obtained the control OF the govern
ment 1t is true that this party, after
its triumph, declared that, to use Mr., Sc
ward's words, this is the beginning Of
the end Of slavery"
But s'll il was fangless serpent until
, the South Withdrew from the national
legislature, and left the patriotic friends
of the constitution and the laws, in the
f North, for the time powerless 10 resist
the mao whirlwind of tauaticlsm and
sedtion.
, Had the South remained ruo TO the
Union, she would have seen with what
determined will the friends Of the eons,i-
/, tuition would have beaten back the advan-
, cling column Of tie seditioni,ts. Then,
not one of all the fiery rabble of abolition
I.ts which Mr. Lincoln has elevated to
honor and power, would have been con
firmed in Their seats bv the Senate. Then
Mr.. Lincoln and bis Cabinet in Washing
ton would have been no better off than
nrisoners who are allowed the liberty
, Of the yard" 100,
And, even now, let those deluded
, wandering States return to their old seats
, in the Union. and help the lriends of the
constitution in the North to restore liberty
5 and law to an sfflicted country, and they
D will find that their rights and property
{ will still be safe under the aml le prolec
r ton Of the glorious old constitution which
we received from our patriotic ioreia.hers
i The enemies OF the constitutional right
OF the South. have proved that they az,
o also The enemies Of freedom in the Norlt
i and everywhere. he tue friends Of The
- Uuion begin To realize that they have OF
Q their hands the business Of putting dowr
1 not only rebellion, hut u,vrpation az wel.-
4 They have to see to il, not ouly that tn,
e laws are restored in the South. but in th,
j. North also. If the South has Davis ant
n a Yancey. the North has a Seward and
1 Sumner. Ali these men and their fiery
4 uartizans are the common foes OF .he con