Year: 1861

DEMOCRAT ON THE CRISIS.


Some months ago our correspondent,
i''Occasional, created considerable alarm
in certain quarters, by calling upon the
people of Pennsylvania to put them
selves in condition of military prepa-
ration. He referred to the almost mex
haustible resources of our people, and
particularly to the fact that many thou
sands could be spared without interfer-
ing with those engaged in producing
and manufacturing the necessaries of
life, and in providing for our commerce
with other States and nations. He al


luded to the Characteristic martial spirit
of Pennsylvania, to the gallantry Of our
fathers in the Revolution, the self-sac-
rifcing conduct of the women of that
day, and to the spontaneous exhibition
of patriotism Of the descendants of such
parents, in the second war with England,
and the late conflict with Mexico. In
the last struggle we not only oficered
five times more regiments than Gov.
Skunk was permitted to receive By Pres
ident Polk, but supplied from the ranks
of those who were disappointed in not
being able to march from their own
State, many hundreds Of men to exc out
the regiments Of Virginia and other
Commonwealths. The cause Of this ap-
peal was, even at that early day, an antic-
ipated attack upon the Federal Capital
! in the event Of Mr. Lincoln's election.
Subsequent occurrences have signally
fulfilled the predictions, and signally
vindicated the policy shadowed forth of
our ever vigilant correspondent. If we
are not on the eve Of war-if the Bor
der States are not on the threshold OF
retiring from the Union if the Capital
of our country is not at this moment in
imminent danger; it will only be because
the Secessionists have Lecome alarmed
at the magnitude ef the preparations of
the Federal Government, and at the
manifest determination Of that Govern
ment, after abundant indications Of its
disposition to await the exhibition of a
peaceful spirit at the South, to main
tain It's authority at all and every haz-
ard. The Legislature of Pennsylvania
is still in session, and recent indications
should teach it the performance of the
long neglected duty Of PREPARATION
Even the Republicans, animated by the
sue Of events than to hurry to warlike
conclusion, resisted every step that con-
templated the reorganization Of the vol
unteers and the militia Of Pennsylvania.
But new and different question is now
presented. Not only is the Capital of
our country endangered, but little doubt
is entertained that conspiracies are
Matching in our midst, and that the sue
cess Of treason in the Southern States
begins to make it respectable. Even in
certain quarters in Pennsylvania, men
are to be found on the corners Of our
streets justifying secession, applauding
resistance to the laws, laughing at every
pacific proffer, and even predicting that
this old Commonwealth will join her
fortunes with those whose edifce Of
Government is based upon that want
of patriotism she of has never ex-
hibited; that repudiationshe has
always scorned; and that rebellion,
which, as her own history shows,
was crushed out on her western border
under the lead of George Washington
himself. It is, therefore, not question
whether we shall be prepared for
trouble, but whether we shall basely fly
before the apprehension of trouble
The Government demands the aid of all
its true friends; zee must be for the Coz
crnment, or against the Government. Let
it be remembered that the present ad-
ministrators of the Government have
taken no step to coerce any State in the
Union, or to force any State back into
the Union. They have even, for want
of power, refraiined from the collection
of revenues, and their whole object in
their present preparations is to main
tain dete,asice attitude. If Fort Pick
ems is held, as it will be held, this re-
suits from a determination to prove that
we still have "a Government, and that
every effort looking to peace on the
part of the Administration has been re-
sponded to by new outrages on the part
ofthose who now may be attacking tt at
fortress The Democratic masses. of
Pennsylvania are, therefore, called upon
to stand by the Administration of Mr..
Lincoln in the new attitude it has as


sumed If we have any Union, that Ad-
ministration is its representative
There is no other unless we strike
hand with those who have bank


rupted our merchants, interrupted our
commerce, and broken down our
manufacturers. The whole case is
with the people, and if they will look
at the facts as we have detailed them,
we have no doubt that they will approve
any action of our Legislature that may
put Pennsylvania in condition of mil
itary preparation.