Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-24

any quarter much less from those
who had been the spoiled children
of the government, was never be-
lieved possible, however threatened.
The first clash of arms found us
equally undeceived and unorganized,
and we very soon experienced that
the contrivers of the great slave con
spiracy had not only strengthened
themselves by the stolen ships, arms
and Notifications of the government,
but had been fsr years designediy in
structing their youth in the science
of arms and when the bloody temp
est opened upon us they were ready
to spring at the heart of the Republic,
while the citizens, in whose hands
the government was left, were COM
PEELED to protect themselves and their
country as best they could.
When we reflect upon the terrible
sacrifices we endured to maintain
our liberties, and anticipate that glo-
rlous period of our country when the
whole continent will be dedicated to
human freedom, and when the despo-
tisms Of the earth will coustrue our
example into standing threat against
their tyranny, We cannot disregard
the consideration of this important
subject.
As before remarked, Pennsylvania
contributed over three hundred thou
sand troops to the national cause
Deducting the loss of nearly thirty
thousand by wounds and disease in
cnrred in the field, what an immense
army has been left to circulate among
and II educate the mass of our pop
uIation Properly comprehending
this thought, we have at once the Sc
cret OF our past success, ouc present
safety and our future power. 1t
| would be easy to create an emulation
! in the science of arms among the
/ youth Of the State, by proper organi-
I z4ti0n, and to disseminate, in all our
schools, that loyalty TO the whole
country, without which there can be
no permanent safety for our liberty.
In their late report, the visitors to
/ the West Point Military Academy
laid significant stress upon the ne
cessity Of such preceptors, in the fu-
ture, as would teach the students of
that institution their first and Ra-
voidable obligations to the principles
upon which the government itself re-
poses. The neglect of this kind of
instruction was felt in almost every
movement during the recent conflict 4;
and it is not going too far to say that
many who disregarded their oaths,
and who drew their swoIds against
| the government that had educated
and nourished them, found a meretri-
| cious consolation in the fact that they
were permitted to cherish an allegi-
ance to the State in which they were
born, which conhicted with and des.
troyed that love OF country which
should be made supreme and above
| all other political obligations.
If, in our past aud recent expert
ence, there has been exhibited the
valuable aud splendid achievements
of our volunteers in the national de-
fence, there has also been shown the
necessity for military skill, and that
knowledge Of, and familiarity with,
the rules Of discipline so essentially
necessary in their prompt and effec-
tual employment. In order, there
fore, to make our military system eff:
fective, we should have particular re-
gard for the lesson, and to prevent or
repcl danger, our State should al
ways have well disciplined force
prepared to act with promptness and
vigor on any emergency nor should
we forget that it is impossible to tell
how soon our warlike energies may
again be required in the field.
HOME RESOURCES AND HOME LABOR.
In nothing have our trials daring
the war, and the resulting triumph to
our arms, been 50 full Of compensa-
tion, as in the establishment of the
proud fact that We are not only able
to defend ourselves against assault,
but what is equally important, 10 de-
pend upon and lire upon oar olca re-
sources. Vt the time the rebellion
was precpiitated upon us the whole
business and trade Of the nation was
paralyzed. Corn in the West was
used for fuel, and the producer was
compelled t. lose not only the inter-
est upon his capital, but the very
capital he had invested. Labor was
in excess, and men were everywhere
searching for employment. Mills and
turnaces,were abandoned Domestic
intercourse was so trifing that the
stocks of number of the most i'm
portant railroads in the country fell
to, and long remained at, al average
price of less than fifty per cent But
| the moment danger to the Mon be-
came imminent, and the necessity Of
selt-reiiance was plainly presented as
| the only means of securing protec-
tion, and tue gradual dispersion of
our mercantile maripe BY the appre-
hension Of the armed vessels oi tie
rebels, the American people began 10
practice upon the maxims of selfde-
fence and selEdependence From hav-
ing been, if not absolutely impover,
| ished and almost without remunera-
tive enterprise, depressed by unem-
ployed labor and idle capital, all their
great material agencies were brought
into motion with a promptitude, and
kept in operation with rapidity and
regularity, which relieved from want,
their country from danger, and excit-
ed the amazement of civilized ma
tions
/ Protection to the manufactures OF
the country, when rightly viewed, is
merely the defence Of labor against
competition from abroad. The wages