Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-04-13
NEW SERIES-VOL. IV.-NO. 80.

he wants him to say; and the members
OF the party wants him to bow down, lust
as they have done for the last year or two;
and the only thing they can do with us is
to threaten us with bastiles and all sorts
OF terrible infections; if we do not do the
same thing, have no doubt, if thev
could command the power, they would
compel us to the same thing but had
rather be accused, and intend to be ex-
cused.
Mr.. Francis i. Spinner who, have no
doubt is a very loyal man because we find
his name on all the greenbaoks that cir
culate through, he being present Assis.
taDt Secretary of the Treasury, used this
language during the campaign of 1856.
Should this (the election of Fremontl
fail, no true man would any longer be safe
here from the assaults of the arrogant slave
oligarchy, who then would rule with an i
ron hand. For the free North would be
left the choice OF a peaceful dissolution of
the Union, or civil war which would end
in the same"
Thus, Mr.. Speaker, it appears that it
did not make much difference who succee-
ded in this fight. There was to be dis
solution OF the Union. Ifthe party who
as the Republicans charged, was controll.
ed by the slave power, had succeeded,
then, as matter Of course, this Abolition
element would take inCpient steps for the
dissolution of the Union. If the other
party succeeded-the party that did sue
ceed~-then the dissolution Of the Union
was to come in some shape or other
What did it signify TO Mr.. Spinner and the
party whom he represented, whether they
gained the control of the Government at
the time or not? They could not be con-
tent TO carry on the Government, unless
they could abolish slavery. They knew
that they could not abolish slavery peace
ably and legally without an amendment to
the Constitution; they knew that an a.
mendment 10 the Constitution could not
be obtained, because it wonld require the
ratification Of three-fourths OF the States
therefore, they knew that it was confess
edly out of the question They knew,
therefore, that they were compelled to &C
complish their object by unconstitutional
interV ntion-by Intervention either for
chile or fraudulent by enroachments up
on the domestic concerns of fifteen States
OF the Union, and to do this thing they
must resort to violation Of the Constitu-
ton they could do it in no other way.
e What is going to be the result of tho
present struggle? After the bitter expe-
rience which we have had-after three
years Of civil war and bloodshed who can
venture to foretell the issue Of this struc.
gle to-day for the abolition OF slavery p
Who will say that invasons and disasters
in their train, will be confined hereafter
to the South? ask you, sir, and ask
our Republican friends, by what means
VIII the Union, or any of its shattered
fragments, carry on this war? | confess,
sir, that ! know but one way, and think
that every candid man will bear me out in
the assertion that there is but one way,
and that is by the substitution oft mill
tary monarchy in the place of republi-
can iorm Of government-whic will be
the destruction of these United States
You may look at the subject just as you
please you may threaten US you may
force us to plunge into all the errors and
crimes to which you are espoused, for the
sake OF carrying out your darling projects;
you may ask US, as you have done, TO en-
gage in riot, and outrage, and murder, if
you please. You may insist that it is ne
cessary to break the Constitution and dis
solve The Union, and embark the land in
civil war, in obedience to that law which
you lave preached so long and earnestly
that higher law than the Constitution.
Where is the record of that mighty law?
Where do you find it? Will some Aboli.
zionist tell me whore you will find the re.
cord Of this higher law? The doctrine
seems to be that this standard of the high
er law is TO be found in the conscience OF
each individual who may assume TO be its
eXpounder. How absurd and destructive
such doctrine? If that be true, then O.
very member of this House, however per-
yerted his Judgement, however limited
his knowledge and experience, however
tlighty, passionate, unbalanced and vim
dictive may be his general character, is to
set up the absurd conclusions of his own
mind-nay, the corrupt impulses of his
own bad passions-against the law of the
land aud the order of society If this
doctrine be admitted all obligations be-
tween man and man, or man and woman,
all that is dear in right or valuable in pos
session, will become the sport of chance
amid the utter lawlessness Of society, un-
til the sword of some positive soldier shall
kindly interpose to redeem the country
from anarchy.
| tell you, Mr.. Speaker, ! want nothing
Of this kind and if in the opinion of gen.
tlemen Of the Republicsn party, am
preaching treason, cannot help it. tell
you that so long as have the little sense
that do possess, shall certainly not fol-
low the mad teachings of that party. l
: believe in giving the Constitution the high
! est and the broadest instruction that can
| possibly be given TO it,. lis ampel for all
purposes, and as long as we cling to it, as
long as we sacredly observe its evory man
: date, we are safe from the enroachments
| Of power, and safe from all outside inter
ference but tho moment you depart from
= the glorious landmarks Of the Constitu-
ton the moment you depart from the sa-
cred principles established by its founders.
f we are involved in chaos--a scene Of dark
confusion in which we must stagger TO our
destruction ask the gentleman 10 pause
and reflect upon the terrible consequences
OF the policy which they are now pursu-