The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-01-07
Tho -A1loghanzan.
gEle FIXTURE.

1853 In his first message to Congress
he pledged himself, if we mistake not, to
maintain inviolate the various compro-
misses in regard to slavery. At the sue
ceedng session of Congress, the chief OF
those measures Of pacifcation-the Mis-
souri, compromise-was repealed with his
approval. From that day forward the
discussion Of the multitudinous phases Of
the slavery question formed the absorbing
topic of political discussion The cupidity
of the South in her desire to gain more
territory for slavery was reused to its ut
most. The conscience and honor of the
North were sharpened to their keenest
sense. Not in Congress simply, and by
politicians, but in the club-room, the social
circle, and the pulpit, and by men of all
conditions, this vexed slavery question was
discussed. Ordinary material interests,
and development of the country's re.
sources were dwarfed into seeming IRsig
nifcance in the presence Of one great sub
ject of dispute. The contest was for the
control of a continent and for the shaping
Of the destiny of hundreds of millions Of
people. 1t is only now when the struggle
is over, and we can survey it as thing Of
the past, that we may realize its full pro-
portions. That it is past, let us be CRATE
full. Better still, the pen of history must
now record another triumph of human
liberty over human bondage, OF the equal
ity Of man in al natural and civil rights
over arbitrary distinctions of class and
privilege, and of National unity over State
sovereignty.
With the finishing Of the work Of re-
construction, the last vestige of this long
protracted controversy will disappear
The country will enter on new era.
Whatever disputes now arise cannot ex-
cite that earnestness nor involve the great
stakes which hung on the slavery issue.
We have apparently reached that period
spoken Of by MOntosquieu when men cease
to mould the institutions of a country, and
the institutions in turn shape the charac-
| ter OF the citizens.
With the close of this gigantic struggle,
the best intellect of the country will be
left to find new fields of employment
What are these fields Certainly, so far
as the character of the Government is con-
cerned either in the States or in the Ma
ton, there is no pressing demand for re-
form The greatest alteration now re-
quired in order to conform our laws to the
fundamental theory of free government is
the abolition of all distinction as to color
or race in political privileges. But this
question involves national consistency only,
not national safety or happiness. Woman
suffrage is another issue urged on the peo-
| pie by number of persons more noted for
their virtue and intelligence than their
numbers or influence. Their demands
might be granted or refused without caus-
ing more than a ripple to disturb the po-
litical surface. The social aspects of this
proposed change are, we apprehend, those
deserving the chief attention.
The real questions of the future relate
to the material development of the coun-
try. What foreign complications may
arise, Of course no man can tell Yet
such disputes as we have are in hopeful
way for equitable settlement; and hence
our foreign relations do not enter into any
horoscope Of our prospects. When shall
we resume specie payments, AID by what
course of preparation Shall we have
free trade, or protection to American In
dustry? What means shall be taken by
the National Legislature for the internal
improvement and development of the
country? In these questions, we take it,
are to be found the issues of the immedi-
ate future The business of the country
is now in an unsettled condition.
Never before has the nation emerged from
a great war with proportionably less fnan-
cial and industrial prostration than has
followed the suppression of the rebellion,
Yet dollar of greenbacks should be worth
a dollar in gold, that commodities may
have settled value. We need only to
reach that point by safe means in order
that the whole land, North as well as South,
| East as well as West shall take bound for
ward in population and prosperity that
Will surprise none more than ourselves.
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