Ih
BELLEFONTE, PA.
Friday Morning, Feb. 20, 1863.
Ho! For the Spoils!
It may be necessary, m order that our
readers shall anderstawd “ what's the mat-
ter,’ to acquaint them with the fact that
there is an cight by ten sheet” published
in this place eall ed the Central Press. luis
generally @illed oih letters from prostitutes
and artic.es from negro philanthropists,
with a sprinkling of advertisements of
© Bull Calves” and © Stray Dogs,” It is
an unwavering advocate of amalgamation
und negro «quality. (the persons controlling
1t being themselves no better than niggess,
wish to drag others down to their own lc vel)
a splendid edition of Venus Miscellany,
without the illustrations, and is admirably
adapted for circulation in brothels and
among the blacks. With this explanation,
v hich we hope will be sufliciont for the
present, we will state that in heir issue of
the Tth inst., an article appcered under the
uteve caption, which wae intended as a
“erusher’’ to the Democracy of old Centre,
which, no dont, wend have been ut'arly
aunikilated, 1f a grand conglomeration of
lies could crush it out. We need only give
a couple of he Press's assertions to show
the falsity of the entire article. It says:
© That auring the Repullican rule the
tax payers were greatly benelitted, and ihe
aftairs of the county admivistered with Lon-
esty and cconomy.”
Now, it is not necessary for us to rep'y
to a falsehood as glaring as this, but we
will simply ask in what manner was the tax
Jaers benefitted? Was it by doubhinz t' er
State and County tax? Was it by compel-
ling them ti pay an enormous relief tax ?—
Was it by the addition of a direct tex ?—
Was it by trebling the price of muslin and
calico, sugar and coffe, tobacco and tea?
Was it Ly adding one hundrcd and fifty per
cent. to everything they had to purchase,
end buying their produce at low rates, and
paying for it with rags? Was it by taking
their rons from the ficld, the mines, the
woods or the shop, and butchcring them to
appease the wrath of a few infidel abolition-
ists, or maiming them for life and sending
them home dependants forever 2? Wasit ty
drawing gold and silver from the land, and
wstituting in its place a currency that, mn
reality, is not worth a ** continental daipn 2’
Was it by plunging our government into a
fearful war, the effects of which will never
be crased ? Was it by making a State aud
National debt, for the payment of which the
bones of future generations must be mort-
gaged? Was it by robbing the people {o
fatten speculators, and by plundering the
treasury to enrich abolitionists 2 [t must
have been, and although the nigger organ
muy cons'der all this ara +‘ benefit’ to the
tix jay ers, yet we cannot sce it in the same
Light, aud will patiently await an answer {0
kuow whether this is the method Republi-
cans undertake to “benefit the tax-payers.
So far as administering the affairs of the
County 1s concerned, honestly and economi-
cally, we would ask if they have reference
to the $11,000 defaleation of their late treas-
urer, or the negle.t of their late Board of
Commissioners, whose incompetency and
failuze to (Wl their daty, cost the county
several theusand dollars mre, 2s will be
seen by an article dsewhere in fo day's pa-
per? These are plain questions asked in a
plain way, and we hope ihe writer of the
article alluded to, will answer us plainly
and truthfully, after which we may feel in-
clined to interrogate hun a little further.
eee 5
The Guverror's Me sige.
In another-column of to day’s paper will
be found the special message of Gov. Cur-
tin, to the Yenate and Heuse of Representa-
tives in reference to the illegal and arbitra-
ry arrests which have marked the course of
The
reader will sce at a glauee, that his fixeel-
the present miserable adwinistra ion.
leney lias partaken quite freely of Browu-
low lacly, or may rather imagine that the
choice (xpressions made use of were stolen
It
matters hitle whether they were plored
tur the occasion from the wfidel parson.
from the Parson's catalogue or ave the pro-
ductiors of his own muddled brain, the
credit they will reflect will amount to about
the same thing.
‘I'hat this last document wiil add anything
to the strength of Gov. Curtin or his paity,
we havenot the least fear. No doubt the
whole abolition crew will endorse 1t as an
able production, with'the exception of the
single clause which denies the right of the
President to suspend the writ of Zlabeas
Corpus —- but what will that swount to 2—
They endorsed John Brown's raid and Ben
Butler's bratalitics ; they can endorse any
thing Lut rice. So far as the Democracy
are concerned, we feel confident that they
will spurn the doctrines containéd in it as
heresics of the Lla‘kest kind. What! a
citizen of Penasylvania liable to be arrested
without warrant. car.i.d fromm the State
withoat cause, muprisoned for months or
years wi hout trial, and the State Execntive
have 1,0 ““ anthority or means to interfere”
in bis bebalf? No Avrmontry | Where js
the Constite tion of Peonsylvania which he
bag sworn to protect and ts it AY
duty ta sce that the laws ure ¢ faithful!
exeente,” and whieh spys, © Is ail crimi-
/ sginutio: @ ahs acansed haha richd
fis 4 Fir gid A
1t
13,
|
|
» | introduce a wcasare that
tion against him, to meet the witness face
| to face, tc have cnuunulsory process for ob- |
taining witnesses in Lis favor, and in pros-
ecutions by indictment or information, a
SPEEDY TRIAL BY AN IMPARTIAL JURY QF TIE
| VICINAGE : he cannot be compelled to give
| extlenee against ‘imsell, nor can he be de
_ | prived of his Liem, LIBERTY or Prorzriy,
unless by the judgment of his PEERS or
| the law of ‘the land!” If he has not the
| suthority te see that the plain provisions of
| the Consutution are complied with, and the
rights of* Pennsylvanians protected, we
should like to know who has. Gov, Cartin
should know that /e¢ has not only the au-
thority, but he is bound by his oAtn to pro-
tect the meanest citizen from being abduct
ed from the State by any mode whatever ;
and we can tell him hebe that although Ae
admits that a State has No rights and indi-
vidual liberty no guarantee, the PEOpLE will
not admit it. No! fields were reddened
with the blood of oar forefathers for rights
which will be preserved though it be done
with balls and bayonets. He may cringe
and cower to the despots of the Federal gov-
ernment, but a day of reckoning will come
and swift and terrible will be its coming.
Men then will tremble and tyrants quake
With fear; for recollections of their
Ilelish deeds, tainted with flames of Hell,
Will pass them by in quick succession.
Justice they’l see triumphant. and meted
Qut to them will justice be.
Taking it all in all it is a singnlar docu-
ment, but the ost singular thing connect-
ed © ith 1t is the time selected for sending it
to the Legislature. Although he pleads ig-
norance in regard to the number of arrests
wade by old Abe and his minions, yet he
was certainly aware that arrests had been
wale pricr to the meeting of the Legisla-
tare, Why, then, wait until this time to
scquaint the representatives of the people
with the fact of these things having been
done? There was no necessity for the de-
iay. Itwas a subject of vital importance
to the people, Why not give his views
socner ?
We are sorry for the honor of our county
that it ever furnished a man for Gavernor,
who had not the spirit to defend the rights
of cur commonwealth. We are sorry that
she bas produced a man imbecile enough to
1ssue such a message, May God deliver us
from the hauls of such servants !
pF
New Subjects of Legislation
It is und rstood that Mr. Linesin has in
contemplation the issuing of a proclamation
suspending the law of gravitation, as that
is about the only law now left us. In the
meantime, Thad Stevens vill 'nt-oducea lil
into Congress granting straight hair and
white skins to all negrces who will take
t ovho allesirnce. Ilickman has und r
contemplation an acy to provide for straight-
ening the legs and shortning the heels of
“free Americans of African descent,” in
order that they may be able to line better
in the ranks as soldiers. It is proposed al-
so, as the shortest way to catch the Alaba-
ma, to abolish the ocean when she would
be lett lighand dry on some coral reef
where she might be captured at our leis-
ure. by Gen, ~ Butler and staff. Tt it
thougLt, she has a lage amount of plunder
on board. Ghandfa‘her Welles, it is under
stood, opposes this scheme, as he says he
shall have ten new gunboats by 1808 (!)
when he proposes to catch the Albana alive
avd put her in the Suwithsonian Irstitute
at Washington !
A Democratic member, a “copperhead,”
we presume, it is caid, will soon offer a
bill appropriating one million of greenbacks
for the purciase of specimens of the gold
aud silver coin, once used as carriney
money, now no longer extant, said speer-
mens to he placed in the Patent Office, as
curiosities for future generations! It is
said ha Sen: ter Sumner will also very s on
will astound the
country. le nas discovered that very
trebel” yet taken has been a while mau,
and he has finaly come to the eonclusion
that white men and rot “slavery” are the
cause of the rebellion.” He proposes
therefore, 0 pass an aet declarmg that
black 1s the only loyal color, and thai no
wan can be an unconditional Union man’
unless he adonts ‘Le loyal standard, and
blacks bimself with burnt cork ! Fvery
man refusing Wis test of “loyalty,” will
be mrigsted and fin 28800 in greeabacks, to
be laid out in spelling-Looka, Bibles and
blackboards for the ¢contiabands,” [fa
is incorrigible, and ingists sticking to **the
coller,”” he is to be sent to Fort [i Fay-
ct e, sud put on rations of salt pork and
pollywog water!
All these nets, is thought, will be pass-
ed by the 4h of March, when Congress is
to adjourn hy performing a grand overture
cuit ded Te Abrahams Laudamus, — Cau-
Cas 9,
5 pm hi
177 A St Louis letter says: The honid
deeds that have bern, and are now being
prepetrated by the minions of power in this
State have never been published, becauge
wartial law precails rigidly all over the
State, every vilage being under the control
of a Provosr Marshal, We Lave no repre-
sentatives at Washington —no, not one, ex-
cept Norlon who has the courage or man-
Liness even to utter a word of complaint. —
any iuquiry was made as to the number
of persons imprisoned, assessed and ban-
ished, the country would be startled, Bosi-
des these, hundreds have suffered death, as
McNeil murdered hs ten men. That act
obtained publicity, becanse, forsooth, it was
the order of a Brigadice General. Colones
and Captains shoot without arresting public
attention beyond the neighborhoo i. A paper
would be suppressed which wo'd publish
ihe facts.
bi
¢ LxoouN’s Last Joke,’ — Every day there
is reported sume new joke originating ut the
White House. Lincoln's fame as an undig-
fied Giller, a perpetiator of weak and silly
Jokes at the expense of our torn and bleed-
ng country, Las reacked the courts of Eu-
rope, whore his peculiar characteristics of
person and manner are criticised wath un-
weredul severity. IIs own levity has made
hit a standing joke for the civilized world.
The 2ivil war his lection inaugurated, the
vivers of blood thit have been shed, tae
homes tha have been desolated, the ruin
that has pervaded the land since his advent
to power, make him a very serious joke to
the American people,
It is said that Nero fiddled while Rome
was burmng, and Lincoln jests and grows
merry over the unparalleled calamities of
the ceuntry ! A contrast of wickeduess and
weakness, in which weaknsss is the more
ertminal
re
[7 If our fathers didn't intend the Con.
stitution for war tings, why didn’ they |
ma'on car of Constitntions—one for war
| “To the Tax Payers of Centre County.”
| The ex-officio Clerk to the Commissioners,
aliss a “TAX PAYER,” having monopolized
| one entire columt of the Central Press, of
last week, in the revelation of that which
he is pleased to term ¢ Democratic Corrup-
tion in Centre county,” duty would seem to
point to us as the proper party to investi-
gate this alleged corruption, and give to the
public through onr columns a correct state-
| ment of the facts, in order that (here may
| be no misapprehension as to the extent, or
| as (0 the persons most deeply implicated in
the swindle, which the ex-clerk, alias Tax
Payer, has volun'ecred to make public. A
careless reader, in perasing the “Tax Pay-
Ler’s” article, might probably come to the
amounts alleged to be a total loss to Centie
county, and the seeming earnestness of sty'e
in wkich the Democratic Commissioners are
denounecd as the guilty pa:ties, that Mr, Ir-
win, ahas “Tax Payer,” was a man of much
| trath, and that the whole motive which in-
duced the man to make such startling dis-
closures, was an honest desire that the peo-
ple should know that they were being swin-
dled, and by whom. Yut a more careful
reader would socn discover that to the ex-
clerk a more powerful motive lies behind
the screen, and but partially veiled at that.
The Democratic Board of Commissioners
saw proper to dispense with the services of
Mr. Irwin as clerk, and in this lies (he
graveness of the offtnce A spirit of re-
venge (never commendable) Turks behind it
all, and which, in his anxiety to make him-
self popular at the expense of Lis fellows,
and to blacken the reputation of those who
closed the doer of the public crib against his
cormorant appetite, prompted him, in forget-
fulness of truth, to lie without restraint or
compunction of conscience. The principle
subject of hie lengthy article, is the late
clerk to the Commissioners, and the great
advantage it would have been to the county
had he been retained in offie. In order to
make this appear plausible to the public, he
first refers to the trip he and his counsel
made to Harrisburg last winter. and for
which the published account shows that he
received one hundred dollars, and alledges
that after considerable difficulty, he had the
account with the State resettied,and thereby
saved to the county the sum of $8,677. —
Now in consideration for the one hundred
dollars received for this trip, we would glad-
ly allow him some credit for services ren-
dered, for surcly a man pretending to such
great honesty and kind feeling towsrd the
tax paying people, would hardly recive
from the county one hundred dollars with-
out rendering them an equivalent therefore
in services rendered ; but such are the facts
relative to this matter, that were we fo al.
low that the eclebrated trip to Harrisburg
had accomplished a single thing that coutd
not have been done by the simple writing of
a letter, we would belie the truth, and fo'-
low him in the same strain of falschood and
prevarication. The citizens of this coun y
well know that W. W. Brown was a defaul-
ter to the State in the sum of $11,000. The
custom and the law of this State is to charge
the amount of tax to the county and not ‘o
the Treasurer, and therefore whenever ary
County Treasurer fails to pay into the State
Treasury the amount of tax as laid by the
Board of Revenue Cemmiissioners. it is char-
ged directly to the county. The State, it is
true, takes a boud {rom the County Treas
urer conditioned for the faithful performance
of his trust, and if he fails, it is a matter cn-
tirely optisnal whether tliey pursue the
Treasurer and his sureties in the b nd, or
the county. They generally, however,
charge the amount up to the county, and en-
ter suit in the Common Pleas of Dauphin
county aginst the I'reasurer on Ins bond. —
This 18 just what they did mn the retilement
of 1862 and because the State but did i's
duty in this matter, the ex clerk would claim
all the credit for himself. The account with
State as per settlement of Feb, 8th, 1862
ne and with the
| settlement of Jan. 87th, 18673, in order that
all tke facts may appear nceessary to prove
what we interad hereinafter to state, and also
ta disprove all the allegations made by the
ex chirk,
CENTRE COUNTY IN ACT WITH ¢ i 'WLRIL
To amount of said tox out
standing as per Auditor's
report for 1860,
To amount of said tax as fix d
Ly the Board of Revenue
Com:issicners for 1861,
|
the
fhe
Lett ‘insert follor it
$20,865,41
13.504,03
34,109, 44
Deduct 3 per een’, com-
mission for collect-
ing,
Treasurer’s commission
or, $33 460 97, at 1
per cent. to be paid
by the county,
$1,708 47
33161
2,043 08
32 126,56
RECAPITULATIAN OF ACCOUNT.
Due Commonwealth,
To amount Jue Common-
wealth as above,
CR.
By amount paid into the
State Treasury by W,
W. Brown, «ver am’t
due on State tax mm
settlement of Jar. 28,
1861,
- 32,126,36
2535,97
20,670,39
This 1s the account ihat the cx-clerk and
his counsel proceeded to Harrisburg to re-
sctile, and which he claims to have reduced
with considerable difficulty in the sum ot
$8,677. Let us now sce whether he states
the truth.
Balance due Com.
Aeeount of Jan. 27th, 1863 — Centre County
in account with Commonwealth — Tax on
Real and Personal Estate.
To amount of said tax as
fixed by the Board of
Revenue Ccimission-
ers for 1862,
Deduct 5 per cent. com-
mission for collecting.
| Treacurer’s commission
on ‘$12 .638,83 at 1 per
{ -eent,
13,304,03
665,20
126 39
Tr enven
i lan
conclusion, from. the magnitude of the.
|
| io
| Dot
. — —
Due Commonwealth, 12,512.44
Half mill tax for the
year 1862, 4 2 582,45
Deduct 3 per cont. com-
mission for collecting, © 129,12,
Treasurers commission, 24,53
Due Commonwealth,
Amount of interest due
upon balance due as
per settlement of 1862
Recapitulation of Account.
To balance due UCommon-
wealth as per seit'e-.
-ment of Feb, 8th, 1862
(Thisis the settlement
that the ex-clerk
claims to have obtain-
ed a reduction of $8,-
GT pei \
Amount due Common-
wealth as above Siate
-
1410.57
20 580.39
12,512.44
2.428 8)
1.410,57
45.932 20
tax,
Half mill tax,
Accrued interest,
Ci.
By sundry paymentsinto
State Treasury - by
“U'reasurer Mitchell, 16 310,13
Balence due Common-
wealth, 29.522 07
Where then does it appear that the effi-
ciency of the ex-clerk has saved to the
county the sum of §8.677. The old Lalance
$20.570,38, of the account which he re-set-
tled, as he allegees is charged up to us this
year, $20,5680,39, with an additional ten
doliars added, (no doubt for the trouble some
uriderstrapper had with him while loafing
about the State Capital. In addition to thig,
Centie county is out of pocket $100 more
paid him for increasing the indebtedness to
the State $10, See publishe¢ account of
1863. :
Now we most positively assert that if there
be any thing wrong in the accounts between
Centre county and the State, that wrong is
not in the last account settled, as it will
be seen that we are only charged with the
true amount of State tax as laid by the
Board of Revenue Commissioners. The
half mill tax and accrued interest, all of
which we are justly entitled to be charged
with, and we are credited with the full
amount of our payments. We aro also
charged with the balance that was found
against us in the settlement which the cx-
clerk personally superintended, and which
he claims to have re-settled and reduced. —
The truth is, however, as the fizures show,
that he did not get it reduced, but that it is
actually increased ten dollars ; and be was
paid one hundred dollars for this service.—
That balance, we assert, is wrong, and
should have been connected as far as prac-
ticable by the ex-clerk and his counsel.
Centre coanty is not indebted to the Com-
monwealth in such a large sum, but the ac-
count has been settled by the ex clerk, alins
the “Tax Payer,” and that balance found
against us. A year has been allowed to
pass, in which time the Auditor General and
State Treasurer had authority to open and
resettle, during all »f which time the tax
payer was the clerk. There were two Ro-
publican Commissioners, and a Republican
was then Counsel. Why was it not a tend-
ed to, then, by this man who promised to do
so much if they would only retain Lim as
clerk, and who now professes to have under-
stood it all the time 2 Evidently his inten-
tion was to withhold his knowledge until
shortly before tho election of a new clerk,
when in some sort of an obscure manner he
would partially reveal what he thought to be
a scerct to all the world save himself, and
by that means secure his re-election. In or
der, therefore, to promote his own interest,
he and a Republican Board of Commission-
ers allowed the time to pass by, mn which
the account could have been - adjusted, and
Centre coun-y, in consequence of their neg-
lect, is wade liable to pay a debt of $17,000,
of which the ex-clerk himself confesses she
is not justly entitled to pay one dollar.
There is no remedy left now, Wecording to
existing laws, the account, after twelve
months from its settlement, is quieted and
finally closed, and the Auditor General and
State Treasurer, if they were ever so will-
ing, have no power to open and resettle said
account,
The orly remaining chance for Centre co.
to rid herself from the payment of this un.
just debt incurred by Republican negligense,
is fo procure the passage of a bill through
the Legisiature, suthonzing the Auditor
General to overhaul the accounts between
Centre county and the State. This the
present Board of Commissioners will end: av-
or to accomplish. But the old clerk, ag the
tax payer styles himself, offered that if the
Comuwissioners would allow him to superin-
tend the Auditors’ scttlement, he would save
to the county all this large sum. Ile meant
by this that if they would retain him as
clerk for another year, notwithstindirg his
neglect in the settlement of the former ac-
count, he would reveal to them something,
they could not tell what, that he bad discov-
ered while loafing around the city of Harns-
burg. 3
Ile was requested to attend the Auditors’
settlement, which he refused. and when one
of the Auditors spoke of bringing him before
them on a subpena, he remarked that they
might do that, but they could not make him
tell what he knew ; so he was not sent for.
We have now got possession of his secret,
for, when he found that he could not profit
by his knowledge, he volunteered to tell it
all in the columns of a newspaper—and what
isit? 1st. That through Republican mis-
management, Centre county is charged with
a large balance by the State that she does
not justly owe. This is true ; but the ex-
clerk was not the first one to discover this
fact, as it was fully known to a number of
leading Democrats before the ex-clerk made
his trip to Harrisburg ; but they were not
in official places, and it was not their duty
to make it public. The error was not made
this year's settlement, and therefore the
smocratic Board of Commissioners ate not,
guilty of any
The accounts above given, clearly show
| that the main error is in last year's se tle-
| ment, and, therefore, according to the reu-
| soning of this learned tax payer. it was the
| duty of the Board of Commissioners of
year (two oy were Republicans
his disclosure (o the public :
sponsibility from his own shouldersand those
{of his employers on to the present board an
{ their clerk. The figures tell the tale. So
n uch for the first disclosure. The sceonid
| disclosure is, that the ex-clerk had informed
| the Commissioners that the only way to re-
| lieve the County from the payment of thiS
debt, was to claim a credit of itin the next
| Auditors’ settlement. This, indeed, would
| be a very convenient way. if [ricticable, of
| Fayirg & debi—claim credit for i: and say
| that it was paid. This might do. provided
{there was no other party to be consulted but
| Centre county. Dat, unfortunately for the
ex-clerk’s theory, the Commonwealth might
nave in‘erposed an objection, and said that
it was not paid. aw, in that event, he
would arranged the matter, he does not sce
fit to tell—he probably is holding that in re-
serve for a future article ; or, it may be, we
will not be favored with it until after he has
brought it to bear upon a new board of Comm-
missioners with a view to his re-election.
This theory of book keeping. (were it law)
would be a most valuable system to business
men who desired to be relieved from ¢mbar-
rassment. Better far than all the bankrupt
laws that the present Republican (‘ongress
can pass, for it does away entirely with all
the complex proceedings in bankruptcy, and
by a simple flourish of the pen squares the
books and 1elieves the debtor «f his embar-
rassmeut. He would be a most valuable
clerk to the Secretary of the United States
Treasury, as by his system, when the war
is over, all that would be needed would be
an Auditors’ setilement, to be specially su-
perintended by the clerk, in which he could
claim credit for all indebtedness and square
the books. We would recommend him for
that position.
The third disclosure is, that the old clirk
offered to settle with the State, provided Le
was retained in office, for seventeen thous-
and dollars less than the balance now char-
ged against us. The balance charged against
us in the settlement of this year 1s ner tle
same a8 the balance of last year, and how
he, by any system of legerdemain inter ded
by this Auditors’ settlement, to reduce the
old balance except by showing ‘absolute
payments within the year, is more than we
or any body not initiated into his system cap
tell. It is simply absurd, and the man a
fool, to suppose that the people can be gull-
cd by any such silly nonsense. Ile settle
with the State’! What power has he to set-
tle with the State ? Ile did go down once to
settle, and came home without accompligh-
ing a single thing, and claimed and received
one hundred dollars for his service, while
the State increased our account ten dollars,
for the trouble they had with him while there
The last disc'osure is the most startling. of
all. lle has disclared, that these same Dem-
ocratic Commissioners, whom he so carnest-
ly desired to retain him in office, are trait-
ors—that they have proven false to their
oaths of office, in giving the county printihg
to a newspaper that was presentea by a
picked Republican Grand Jury, and select-
ing for their counselor one of its editors | —
This, indeed, Mr, Ex-Clerk, is terrible ; but
judging from the whole tenor of your article,
it does not trouble you half so much as the
clerkship. Tt isan old song, Mr. Clerk,
which you have learucd at too latea day to
sing to an applauding people, The counsel
‘® well known in this county, and can take
care of himself, while for ourseif, the jrin-
ter, yon may bellow traitor until your lungs
give out. It is an old story that we have
ticard from men like you before.
cece
Who Are the Disunionists?
BY J. P.
NO. 1v.
M.
It is evident to every canddand careful
observer, that (he varied interosts of this
mighty nation never could have been united
under one Constitution, had not ali parties
concerned ‘been possessed of a rare spirit™of
compromise—had they not all been willing
t) concede a little for a greater good. Says
General Washington, in his official Ictter as
President of the Convention, in submitting
the new Constitution to Congress—+¢ Thus
the Cos itution which we now present is
the result of a spirit of amity, and of that
mutual deference and concession which the
peculiarity of our political situation render-
ed indispensable.” 3
In this ¢pirit the Union was made, and
while a spark of the patriotism of our fath-
ers remained, by the blessing of God, with
the Democracy as IHis instrament, we grow
and flourished as no nation under Heaven
ever did before. The spirit in which the
Union originated bas long since departed
from the North—*¢war to the knife, with
the knife to the hilt,” has long been the
watch-cry of a large portion of the Ameri-
can people on the subject of Siavery,—and
then, when driven to almost the last cx.
tremity, the South appeals to the solemn
compact of the Constitution, how are they
regarded * With contempt! * You are
weak, we are strong,” says the Republican
party. We have discovered a higher
law’ than the Constitution, by which yeu
shall be governed and by which we will
steal your property and destroy your isti-
tutions.” What'is this “Higher Law 2 Ts
not the right of Revolution found init? If
50, how can those who assume a right to be
governed by ic only, refuse it to their politi
cal brethren? But we are wandering. We
propose (0 show presently whither the
¢ igher Law’ leads, We have seen by the
testimony of George Washington the cpirit
that formed the Constitution ; now for a few
more extracts to show the spirit which de-
stroyed it. No better witness could be call-
ed upon than that monster of wicked e313,
Joshua R. Giddings. Docs any one say he
i8 too ultra to be taken as a representative
of Lis party? The editor of the Republi
can organ of this County, at the time (f
Lincoln's election, proclaimed himself & dis-
lo of that Loary-headed traitor. Every
ne in the County knew Is principles, yet
‘elected him to one of tle most important of |
our public offices. Mr. Giddings hes al- |
‘ways been worshipped by his party, has
‘b2en kept in Congress for years for no oth
er purpose but that of abusing the South.
and is ‘0-day one of the most prominent of
the *“disunionis's.”” The extract we give
is taken froma speech delivered by him in
the House of Representatives, on the 16 h
of Mareh, 1854 ;
+ Wien the contest shall come, when the
thunder shall roll and the hghtning flash,
‘when the slaves shall rise in the South.
when, ia imitation of the Cuban bondmen,
the Souihern slaves shall feel that they are
men, when they feel the stirring emotions
of immortality and recognize the sterling
truth that they are men, and entitle to the
when the slaves shall {cel that, and when
masters shall turn pale and tremble, whin
their dwellings shall smoke and dismsy sit
on every countenance, then, sir, I do not
say, * we will mock at your calamity and
laugh when your fear cometh:’ but I do
say, when that time shall come, the lovers
of our race will stand forth and exert the
legitimate powers of this government for
Sreedom. We shall then 4 we Constitution-
al power to act for the goed of our c untry,
and do justice to the slave, Then will we
strike off the shackles from the limbs of the
slave. And let me tell you, Mr. Speaker,
that time hastens. 1t is rolling forward. 1
hail it as the approaching dawn of that po-
litical MirLeNN10M which Tam well assur
el will come upon the world.”
Perhaps we have quoted sufficient to show
the spirit which took possession of a major-
ity of the Northern people—1Irove out the
spirit of our fathers—elccied a sectional
President--spit upon the Constitution--
overturned the government, and murdered
thousands of our fellow-citizens. But per-
haps many will deny the authority of these
quoted to speak for their party ; neverthe-
less, we have given those only, who sie
now higkest in authority at Washington,
living upon the blood and suflering of the
people they have disgraced and ruined.--
But we have other evidence: ¢ Helpers Im-
pending Ciisis” —the “sum total of all di
abolical infamy.” We give a few choice
exiracts: « We enter our protest against if,
(slavery) and deem it our duty to use our
most strenuous efforts to overturn and abo’-
shit. * * * Weare notonly in favor
of keeping slavery out of the territories,
but, carrying our opposition to the institu-
tion a sep farther, we here unl sitatingly
declare in favor of its uepsTE aul UN
CONDITIONAL ABOLITION IN BYKRY STATE in
the Confederacy where it now exis's.”—
Crisis—pago 25.
‘* Slaveholders are a nuisance.”
“Tt is our imperative business to abate
nuisances.’
“ Slaveholders are more criminal than
common murderers.”
. “It is our honest conviction that all ‘the
pro-slavery slave-holders, who are alene re-
sponsible fur the continuance of the banefu!
institution among ns, deserve to be at once
REDUCZD TO A PARALLBL WITH THE BASISU
(CRIMINALS THAT LIE FETTERED WITHIN THE
CELLS OF OUR PUBLIC PRISONS.”
8) it seers that the total number of ac-
tual sluve-owners, including their entire
crew of cringing lick-spittles, against whom
we have to contend, ig but three hundied
and forly-seven thousand five hundred aud
twenty-five.” Agairst this army for the de
fence and propagation of slavery, we think
tt will be an easy matter—independent of tl e
negroes, who, in nine cases out of ten,
would be delighted with an opportunity to
CUT THEIR MASTERS THROATS, and
-withoat accepting a single recruit from cith-
er of the free States, England France (r
Germany ——T0 MUSTER ONE AT LEAST THREE
TIMES AS LARGE, AND FAR MORE RESPECTABLE,
FOR ITS UTTLR EXTINCTION,”
This ok, like the conduct of Jolin
Biown, would have had no ellect but that
had it noi been endorsed by the Republic in
party everywhere and + cordially endorse’
by sixty-nine IZ epublican members of Con-
gress, and every effort made for its general
circulation, because, as they said, ‘no
volume now before the public is so well cal-
calated to induce 1 the minds of its read-
ers a decided and persistent repnznance to
slavery ” The following Republican mem-
bers of the 35th Congress © cordially cn-
dorsed” Helper's (reasonable and infernal
schemes :
INptaNa—Schayler Colfax, Charles Case,
David Kilgore, James Wilson.
Massacuuserts — Ansoa Burlingame, Cal-
vin C. Chaffee, Daniel W. Gooch, Henry L.
Dawes, "Timothy Tavis. U. L. Kia)p, Rob-
ert B. Hall James Buflington.
TruNors - Owen Lovejoy, Wilham Kel
lozg, E. B. Washburne, J. F, Farnsworth.
New York --Amos P. Granger, BE. B
Morgan, Wm. IT. Kelsey, George W. Pal,
wer, 8. G. Andrews. A. B O'm, Ewory B!
Pottle, B. E, Fenton. A. S. Murray, John
M. Parker, Charles B. Hoard, John Thomp-
son, J. W. Sherman, OB. Matteson, Fran-
cis FS inner, Silas M. Borroughs, Edward
Dodd.
PenNsvivania—Galusha A. Grow, John
Covode, William Stewart, S. A. Purviance,
Omo —doshua R, Giddings, Edward Wade
John Sherman, J. A. Bingham, Benjamin
Stanton, C. B. Tompkins, Philemon Bliss,
V. B. Horton, Richard Mott,
MiouiGan— William A. Howard, Henry
Waldron, De Witt UC. Leach.
Vervonr—Just nS, Mornll, Il. BE. Royce
E. P. Walton. .
Maing--Israel Washburne, Jr., F: II.
Morse, John M, Wood. Stephen OC. Foster,
Charles J. Gilman.
Wisconsin—Cad. C. Washburne, John F.
Potter.
|
i
rights that God has bestowed upon them, |
of condemning its author to eternal infamy, |
upon these who struggled in vain to
back the enumies of the Constitu i
belivve that in the sight of leaves
records of time do not show erie:
and damnible as that of sixty rio.
chosen to guard eur liberties, betra
trust reposed in them, by ¢ cor
cersing’’ sentiments, which, if ca to
practice, would make a desert waste of the
whole South, slaughter its citizens avd turn
back the tide of civifization into a barbar-
1:m worse than ever yet had on existence.
It will be seen that many of the names on
this list are those of men still high in pow-
er, while Democracy his sent some of them
to eternal oblivion, and the rest, with their
aiders aug abettors, will follow os rapidly
as possible.
Who are the Disunionists 2°
next week.
Howarp, Pa. )
Feb. 16, 1863 §
Answer,
Special Message from Gov. Cur-
tin.
In the House of Representatives. on thurg
day last, the following message was recei-
ved from Gov, Curtin.
Exrcvrive CriaMper. 1
Harniseure, Fen 12 1863 §
To the Senate and House of Represent.
tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
vania:
GENTLEMEN : T desire to eall your atten
tion to a subject of moment :
When the present infamous and God-
condemned rebellion broke out, Congress
was not in scseion, and the occurrence of
such a state of things not having been fore-
seen in former times. no adequate legisla:
t on had been made to meet it; at the same
time—the life of the country Leing at
Stake—it appeared n:cessary that some
means should be taken to control the small
band of traitors in the loyal States s0as to
pre eit them from maclinations which
might be injerious, if not futul, to the na-
tional cause.
Under these cirzumstances the general
Co.ernmert reser +d to the system of mili
tary arrests of dangerous persons. and, hav-
ng thus comm reed active under it, have
continued (at Jeng intervals in this S ate) to
rursze it. The Govern nent of the United
States acts directly cn individuals and ihe
State Exceative has no authority or mears
to interfere with aries 5 0° citizens of the
United States, mace nnder the authority to
tht Governme: t Every citizen of Penns-
ylvaia is als) a citizen J tho United Siates
and ows allegiance o them az woll as
(u ject to the grovisions of the Consti-
sition of ‘the Uniced S:ates) he owes it to
Peinsylvania.
Lf he be un'awfully deprived of is lit erty
his ovly redress is to be had at the hands of
the judiz’ary. In such times as the present
1L 1S more than ever nece ry to pres:ive
regularity in offical action.
Great off rts have been, and
at is to
asicn, and nl
destruction of |
Auy irregulor. wm
ence by our Exe u
by the Constitution
cognizance. and especially a eh tute
ference with the action of th cutive af
the United States. or with th finneting @
the judicay would '¢; mi theox sv 11s
Sis empl -t cally dengerans i woul i
have a ducer rovo'uto aty tendency in
fact it wonll be to cummense arov-
vation. 3
The corts of justice are open, and
no doubt all personal wrongs can he
properly redressed in due course of
law.
Ido not know how many arrests of the
Kind hereinkefore refered = to have been
made in Pennsylvania. as I have at no
time been privy to he making of tiem ;
but I bulive that they aro few. I was un-
der the impression that there woen'd be no
necessity for more of them, othersise I
might have referred th them in my sanucl
message; but recent events having own
that this impression was erroncous,
it my duty now to invite your atiention to
the subject.
The contest in which we ar: engaged 13
one for the preservation of our own liberty
and welfare. —The traitors of the South
hate the great body of cur people who arc
loyal, and hate and bitterly despise the few
| who are rcady fr submission. Unless the
| rebellion be effectully suppressed, we must
i lore our territory, and the elemsnts not only
of greatness, but of prosterity, and even
of security to life, liberty and pro; erty, —-
Notw ithstandmg all this, 1 is, 1 fear an un
doubted t ath tata few wietcies among
us, false to all our free and loyal paditions
| false to the memory of their fathe 8 4 @ to;
| the r ghts of their” children; fare (0 the
country which has given them birth, and
protected them ; only stop'ng short in the
| technical offence of “treason: in the wv. ry
madness of mischief are actively plotting to
betray us; to poison and mislead the minds
of our people by treacherous misrepresenta-
Lions, and to so aid’and comfort the rehels,
that our fate way be cither to abandon the
free No th and become hangers on of a gov-
ernment founded in treachery, hatred and
insane ambition; or at b st, 10 desolve the
Un'on under which we have prospered, and
to break this fair and glorious country into
fragmen’s which will be earacd by perpeiual
discords at home, and by the contempt
and ill-usage of foreign nations. from which
we shall then be too weak to vin licate our-
selves.
That such oftences should be duly punish
ed, no good citizen can doubt; and that prop-
er legislation by Congress is required for
that purpose can ie as little doubted. —
Whether such legislaion shon'd include a
suspension of the writ of hahéas corpus in
any and what parts of the country. isa
question which be'ony exclusively to the
legislative authorities of the United States
who under the Constitution,'have the right
to determine it. That great writ o1ght not
to b: rusp ‘nded unlcss to the wis lon of Uon
gress the present necesgny shallappearto be
urgent.
Theieore [ recommen d the pa sage of a
joint res lution carnes ly reques that
Congress shall fo with pass laws defining
putishing off ‘nes of the class a ove re
to, and providing for the fair and spelly
trial by an impartial jury of persons shar
with such offences, in the loyal and undis-
tarbed States, so that the guilty may justly
sufler ani the 1nocent be relerved.
A. G. CURTIN.
em rm ioreri
07" Greeley, wlo advocated Sceession
Connecricur Sidney Dean.
tobe ISLAND —Natuaniel B Durfee, W.
D. Brayton.
Nuw_Haxpsmire -Mason W.
James Pike.
TowA—"T. Davis, Samuel R. Curtis.
New Jinsey—Isaiah D. Clawson, George
R. Robbins. i
Missourt- - Franeie P. Blair.
Tappauw, |
How can hearts be created io commit
such diabolical crimes, and then charge thir '
and kickin the Cotton States out of the
Union, whi poetized thie American i} Ag ASA
flaunting bo ar ed the 77 pro-
tossedly-to educate neratiing hate
avcholders, new talks of chimselt and
Plends ast Us Unioaists 1?
rom dint Cet
Tun Sr. Nicuoras,—1The New York cor
respondent of the Boston Jourae/ 5 that
| the St. Nicholas Hotel was sold list week
to gentlemen from Kentucky, well kuown
for their connection with the tue,