The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-09-28


lose us the one half of the Union.
Let us then pause, my countrymen,
before we lend ourselves to such eX-
treme folly. Let Us be warned by the
history Ireland-of the Netherlands
of PoIand-or Hungary-indeed Ofall
countries where measures not the one
hundreth part as severe as this, have
been resOrted TO with such disastrous
effects to the conquer0rs. An error Of
this kind would, sooner or later, be IA
tai to the destinies Of the great Repub-
lie.
FOURTH SECTION
now come to the last section, which
declares the validity Of the public debt
shall not be questioned, and that the
debt of the Rebellion shall not abe as
sumed. Now, when we consider that
the obligation to pay the national debt
is the highest and most sacred known
among men-that it reposes upon the
honor and faith of the United States,
we cannot fail to be struck with this
provision. Why is it put here? Has
any body except its authors ever dared
to question the validity Of this obliga-
ton? And is any bondholder fool E.
nough to suppose that thisamendment
will add to its strength, or that it could
not be repudiated just as well over the
new, as the old Constitution? Surely all
lawyers ought to know that much.
What is there here to compel Congress
to impose taxes, or to compel the people
to pay them, more than at present eX-
lists ? Ifthey could violate the honor of
the nation in one case, why not in the
other? The truth is, that this amend
ment is the worst blow our credit has
received since theWar ended-3 admits
q doubt Of oar integrity and honesty,
which is the scOrn OF every American
gentleman, and is a low, vulgar piece
| of clap-trap to alarm misers and fools
into the belief that their bonds are in
| danger, and is only worthy OF a sharper
who wants to buy them at a discount
It's about the same a. though it had
been provided, that before we resume
specie payments, all the coin in the
country should bescoured, and is equal
Iy ridiculous.
The next clause, that the rebel debt
shall not be assumed, is fellow to the
other, and alike significant of the folly
and fraud OF those who framedit. After
limiting that there was danger chat we
would not pay what we were solemnly
0undtopay, itisneEtvery properly in
sinuated that there is danger that we
may pay that which nobody in the
world thinks we0ught TO pay, or have
any right to pay. Is any man serious
in supposing the American people
wouIdrcpudiatet theirown debt, and pay
| that Of the Confederate States? ? Ifthere
is such an one, he is out Of The pale of
reason, and ought to be let alone.
Now, felloW-citizens, have reviewed
| these proposed amendments to the Con-
stitution, and which are paraded as the
| platform of the great Republican party
| Of this country. think | hazard moth
ing in saying that they never will be a.
dOpted and become part Of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States God forbid
that that great, sublime and glorious
| Instrument, which embodies initselfall
that is good and wise Of the worlds po-
Iitical experience in the past, should ev-
er be encountered with such absurd and
wicked conditions as these are, and
which we should all repent of when toe
late
Wehave made agreat War-0ne Ofthe
most terrible the eWorld has eversecn-tC
support and maintain the binding au,
thority of ourpresent Constitution. We
have baptised it in the blood OF half &
million OF our citizens on both sides,
North and South, andnOW, when it has
come out unscathed from that fiery or.
deal, lam for standing on itasit is-tirsI
lttSI anu ttll TIC lIlllc. 1t SCCuICu us
peace, progress and tranquility for three
quarters of a century-n0t difficulty
or drawback in all that time, save one
to mar our wonderful career. That one
cause of dissension, african sldreTy,'
is now abolished, and there eisnothingre is
ally left to make one man differ from
another, from oneendto the other of thC
Union. That bond and bargain whicl
held us so long with slavery, ought Ger
tainly to begoodto hold us, now thatsla
very is numbered with the things tina
were.
may also say to you, that these a
mendments are mere contrivance OIL
the part of politicians to deceive tn
J conntry-that they are not received
with favor by the earnest men of eithe
party, whether radical or conservative
Charles Sumner is not more friendly t
, them to-day than am, and that / know
| He will not deny it.
Il Let meexplain. have great respe(