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ORO.IIANDERSON, EDITOR.
A. SANDERSON; Ammolit*.
LANOAUMM. PA, JANUARY 15, 1881
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THE' PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
One of the most important State papers
Ihattas emanated from the Executive Man
sion. Shine the'Lmemorable Proclamation of
Gen. JACKSON against Nullification in 1832,
is the Special Message of President Bucnex—
ast, which will be found in another column.
To use the strong and emphatic language of
• Eorney's its tone is so patriotic, states•
manlike, and vigorous, as to commend it to
the public Lie one of the best State papers that
our political
_literature has yet produced.—
Short, pointed, and emphatic, it will be read
with, pleasure all over the country, and even
who are not prepared to endorse all its
suggestions will still have to acknowledge
that its aiathor has addressed his countrymen
in a style worthy of the Chief Magistrate of
a great country, in the hour of its extremest
Would to Heaven that infatuated men,
North and South, would show the same con
ciliatory and patriotic disposition which is so
eminently conspicuous in the conduct and
recommendations of Mr. BUCEIANAN ; then,
and not till then, can we hope to see peace
and prosperity restored to our distracted and
bleeding country.
DEMOCRACY vs. REPUBLICANISM
The Republican leaders, by their policy of
aggression upon the rights of the South and
the equality of the States, having plunged the
country not only into commercial, manufac
taring and financial distress, but carried it to
the verge of dissolution, are now endeavoring
to inaugurate a civil war, with their new doc
trine of coercion. Hence their opposition to
the holding of Union meetings, to the adoption
of the Crittenden Compromise, or any similar
arrangement which would bring peace to our
distracted country.
They desire to see a united North against
a united South ; hence they seize upon the
secession of SoLth Carolina and the hostile
attitude of the Southern States generally,
(produced wholly and solely by *Abolition
aggressions and transgressions against those
States and upon the laws of Congress,) as just
grounds for the whole military power of the
North to be brought into requisition for the
purpose of carrying the sword and the fire
brand into the homes of our Southern brethren,
under the specious plea of the necessity of
preserving the Union, which everybody, except
the Republican leaders, wants to see preserved,
if it can be done by peaceable means.
The Democratic party, on the contrary, has
always been for peace in the Union. It has
instigated no John Brown raids. It has fur
nished no rifles to " bleeding Kansas." It
has supported no bandit Montgomery. It
has sent forth no missionaries to instigate
slave insurrections, and to assassinate women
and children. It has not desecrated the pul
pit,.polluted the judicial ermine, and prosti
tuted the forum to anti slavery fanaticism.—
No Democratic Legislature has passed any
anti slavery law, nullifying the laws of Con.
grese. No Democratic mob has resisted the
execution of the laws providing for the rendi
tion of slaves. All these things have been
the work of the Abolitionized Republican
party, and the skirts of the Northern Demoa
racy have not been defiled with them, neither'
are they willing to stain them with the blood
of their Southern brethren, unless in an ex
Creme case of absolute necessity, which may
kind Heaven in mercy avert. The Democracy
are for peace at almost any sacrifice. They
are averse to war of any kind, if it can be
avoided with honor; and above all do they
deprecate a civil war, so called, among our
selves, in which brother shall be arrayed
against brother, and father against son, in
bloody conflict, and which can only terminate,
if it ever does end, in a final separation of the
States of this glorious Union.
THE LEGISLATURE
No business of importance has yet been
transacted in the Legislature, except the
election of a 11. S. Senator and State Treasurer;
nor will there be, we suppose, until after the
Inauguration frolic is over. The Standing
Committees have been announced in both
branches, and several projects have been
started looking to the settlement of National
affairs, but nothing is yet done.
A large number of borers are said to be at
Harrisburg, and any amount of special legis•
lation will be enacted, now that Governor
PACKER is out of the way. The Commonwealth
will be fleeced this winter, by the Republican
Legislature, or we shall be agreeably disap
pointed.
INAUGURATION.
Governor ANDREW G. CURTIN will be inau
gurated today.
ANOTHER STATE GONE 1
Mississippi has followed in the wake of
South Carolina. On Wednesday last, the State
Couvention passed an ordinance, by a vote of
84 to 15, declaring the immediate secession of
Mississippi from the Federal Union.
In the evening, the town of Jackson, where
the Convention is now being held, was bril
liantly illuminated, and salutes were fired in
honor of the event. The excitement is repre
sented as being very great.
MOUE STATES GONE!
Alabama and Florida have also passed or
dinances of secession, and therefore consider
themselves out of the Union. The seceding
States now number four, viz : South Carolina,
Mississippi, Alabama and Florida ; and it is
believed that these will.ehortly be joined by
Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas and Fexas.
VOICE OF VIKGINIA
The House of Delegates of Virginia passed
a resolution on Tuesday last, by a vote of 112
to 5, to the effect that, the Government of the
Union has no power to declare or make war
against any of the States which have been its
Constituent members ; and that Virginia is
unalterably opposed to any attempt at coercion
to bring back the seceding States.
THANKS—to Henry M. White, Esq., of the
House of Representatives, for valuable public
documents, &c.
STATE TREASURER.
Hon. HENRY D. MOORE, of Philadelphia,
has been elected State Treasurer, to succeed
Mr. Sung, t who is to be Secretary of the
Commonwealth under Governor CuaZIN. Mr.
GEORGE W. HAMERSLY, formerly of this city,
is to be Deputy Secretary, and SAMUEL A.
Rusymice, Esq., of Butler, Attorney General.
A MONSTER. PETITION.
A petition was presented in the Legislature
last week, signed by 11,000 citizens of Phila.
&lOU,. praying for the repeal of all laws
conflicting with the letter and spirit of the
• Constitution. It was the largest petitioti ever
presented to the Legislature
,of this State,
measuring over 500 feet in length. It was as
large a bundle as one of the messenger. oould
4onvonisntly Garry.
AN EXPLANATION.
The Union Meeting advertised:in the Intel
ligence?, ,Express, Examiner, and ITnion, to be
held in the Court Itooni on Wednesday even
ing last; not having taken place, it is proper for
us to state the facts of the'case, and the con
nection we had with the Subject. Weshall
proceed to do so in 88$31/ words: es innesible..
On the Saturday morning privions we were
called upon by two gentlemen—one a Repub
lican, the other a Democrat—and requested
to prepare a call for a Union meeting of the
citizens, for, the purpose of sustaining Major
Robert Anderson, of the U. S. Army, for his
gallant conduct in the harbor of Charleston;
also, for the purpose of approving the action
of the National Administration so far as it
went to sustain that brave officer in the faith
ful discharge of his duty; andalaO to approve
of the Crittenden Compromies, so called, or
some other equally effective plan of adjusting
our National difficulties. Sepposing that
every body was in favor of such reasonable
propositions, we did not hesitate to comply
with the request by writing and subscribing
our name to the call, and then handed it over
to one of the gentlemen who had" called upon
us. This is the last we saw of it, until we
read it in the proof on Monday morning. In
the mean time several gentlemen of all parties
requested us to<call upon the County Com
missioners and solicit the use of the Court
Room for the meeting. We did so, on Mon
day morning, in company with his Honor,
Judge HAYES, a Republican and one of the
signers to the call, and after the object was
fairly and honestly stated to the Board by the
Judge and ourself, the Commissioners without
any hesitation complied with the request, and
granted us the room.
So far, so good. Bat the Express of Mon
day evening discovered a mare's nest in the
accidental omission in the call of the words
"irrespective of party," although sufficiently
explicit without them, and, in its usual jean•
itical way, attempted to throw cold water on
the movement, and frighten the County Com- ,
missioners out of their propriety. Accord
ingly, late in the evening of Monday, one of
the Commissioners, Mr. BOYER., called at the
Mayor's Office, and informed us that, owing to
the omission of the above mentioned words,
there was objection made to having the meet
ing held in the Court Room, and desired that
the call should be amended by their insertion.
We assured him that the call should be so
amended in the Express, Examiner, and Union
of next day, and he left us by saying.that, if
the correction was made, we should have the
Room—that it would " all be right."
On Tuesday morning, according to promise,
we called at the different printing offices and
had the call amended on our own responsi
bility. But, during the morning, we learned
from one of the editors of the Express that
the Commissioners had sent a card to their
office revokidg the grant of the Court Room
for the meeting. Upon hearing this, we, in
company with JESSE LANDIS, Esq., another
of the signers and also a Republican, called
at the Commissioners' Office and found none
of the Board present except Mr. GOOD. We
read the to him, told him how it was
amended, and-explained to him the whole
object and purport of the meeting, when he
expressed himself satisfied, and intimated to
us that we could have the room. Judge, -then,
of our surprise to find in the Express of that
same evening (Tuesday) a communication
signed by all the Commissioners, absolutely
forbidding the use of the room for holding the
meeting! assigning as a reason that we, Judge
HAYES and ourself, had misstated or mierepre
seated the true object of the meeting, and inti
mating that it was to be a political meeting
in disguise, and would give rise to angry
and excited discussion.
So far from there being any sinister or po
itical object in the meeting, nothing was far
ther from the thoughts of those who got it up
The signers to the call are Democrats, Repub
'leans and Americans—about one half, not
more, belonging to the Democratic party.—
They are not it is true, as a general thing,
lawyers, doctors, and gentlemen of leisure
with long purses, and this is one of the reasons
assigned by some for their hostility but they
are mostly hard working, industrious me
chanics, who feel the sad effects of the dis
tracted state of the country, and who are
anxious that something should be done, in a
spirit of compromise, to adjust our difficulties
and restore confidence and prosperity to the
industrial interests of our Commonwealth.
We have thus given a plain statement of
the facts, as they occurred, for the truth of
which we appeal to all the signers of the call,
including Judge HAYES, Major B. F. Cox,
Messrs. Lstqms, COCKLEY and other gentlemen
belonging to the Republican party, who may be
c )gnizant of them. We, ourself, had no hand
in originating the meeting, and only partici
pated in the way and manner above stated.—
We never once thought of giving the meeting
a party bearing, and would have opposed,
with all our might, any attempt, if such
should have beef) made, to give it a partizan
character ; and we are very sure that nothing
of the kind would have occurred, unless it
was done by some of these ultra Republican
leaders who opposed the holding of the meet
ing, for the purpose of making trouble.
The principal object of the meeting, as we
understood it, was to endorse the Crittenden
Compromise, and this, we apprehend, is the
reason why the leading Republicans of the
Stevens' stamp made opposition to it. They,
following in the wake of their leader, are
opposed to any compromise or conciliation
whatever—preferring to see the country in
volved in all the horrors of a civil war, which
will bring misery and ruin upon the North
and the South, rather than that there should
be an amicable adjustment of our National
difficulties. If Congress were to adopt the
Crittenden Compromise, with the provision
submitting its adoption to a vote of the people,
the excitement would at once be allayed in
the public mind, North, and it would not be
sixty days until business would revive and
prosperity again come to the whole country.
We shall only add that the coarse taken by
all the English Republican newspapers in this
City—the Express, the Examiner, and the
Union—in reference to the meeting, had,
doubtless, some effect in• influencing the
County Commissioners to revoke their grant
of the Court Room.
SECRETARY TROBIPSON RESIGNED
Hon. JACOB Tnoursos, Secretary of the
Interior, resigned his seat in the Cabinet on
Tuesday, and has left for hie home in Missis
sippi. The reason assigned is, because of the
reinforcements sent to Major Anderson in the
harbor of Charleston. Hon. JOHN A. Dix,
of New York, it is said, will take charge of
the Treasury Department, in place of Mr.
Thomas, resigned.
HON. EDGAR COWAN.
This gentleman has been elected, by the
Legislature, a Senator in Congress for six
years from the 4th of March, to succeed lion.
WILLIAM Blom, whose term will then expire.
The vote stood, COWAN (Rep.) 98; FOBTIA
(Dem.) 35. Mr. C. is said to be a man of
ability and somewhat conservative in his
views, and therefore much preferable to Mr.
Wlmin, who was his principal competitor for
the nomination. Senator CAMERON was
strongly in favor of Wilmot, but was beaten
oat in the oontest.
EXCITING NEWS
THE "STAR Or THE WEST" TIRED 1100114:,
The steamship Star of the Weit, while
endeavoring to enter Charleatoio Harbor, on
Weiinesday last, with reinforoements and
supplies for Major Anderson, was fired upon
by the garrison' on Morris' Island and also
-by. Fe# Moultrie,'but no injury was sustained
by the vessel or those on board. The
put about and went to ea.
Fort Sumpter did not respond to the fire
from the South Carolinians. But, eubee
quently, Lieut. Hall was sent with a flag of
truce to the Governor, by Major Anderson, to
ascertain from the_executive whether the firng
wits done by hie orders. The Governor justi
fied the act, and endorsed the action of the
South Carolina military. Whereupon Major
Anderson immediately started a special mes
senger to Washington with a copy of his
correspondence with Governor Piokens, and
will await further orders from the President
in reference to what his action should be in
the present emergency. Matters will, there•
fore, remain in etatu quo, we presume, until
fresh orders reach Major Anderson from
Washington, unless, in the meantime, some
additional overt act be committed by the
South Carolinians. In that event, it is under
stood that the batteries at Fort Sumpter will
open upon the city of Charleston and the
adjacent fortifications.
The people of Charleston are represented
as being intensely excited, but no insults were
offered to Lieut. Hall in his visit to the
Governor.
Lieut. Talbot, the bearer of dispatches
from Major Anderson, reached Washington
on Friday, and left on Saturday morning with
orders from the President. What were those
orders are, of course, not known as yet.
The Star of the West returned to New
York.
THE TRUE POLICY.
Gov. PACKER, in his recent message to the
Legislature, thus forcibly condensed the true
policy which should be pursued at the present
time :
" The people of Pennsylvania are devoted .
to the Union. They will follow its stars and
stripes through every peril. But, before as
suming the high responsibilities now dimly
foreshadowed, it is their solemn duty to re—
move every just cause of complaint against
themselves, so that they may stand before
High Heaven, and the civilized world, without
fear and without reproach, ready to devote
their lives and their fortunes to the support of
the best form of Government that has ever
been devised by the wisdom of man."
This we believe to be a fair expression of
the sentiments of nine tenths of the people of
Pennsylvania upon the all observing topic of
the day. The firm, but moderate and concil
iatory tone of the Governor is identical with
that of our citizens generally, save and except
a few radical Abolitionized Republicans who
can talk about-nothing but war and compul
sory measures to remedy existing evils. Our
people are without bluster, as they are with
out fear. They are willing to correct what
ever may be shown to be wrong in their past
legislation as a matter of duty, not as a con
cession (as is alleged by some of the more
rabid Abolitionists) to the threats of Die
unionists ; and they are united in their de
termination to support the authority-of the
General Government, without regard to the
party which may be temporarily entrusted
with the administration:
WHO ARE THE SECESSIONISTS?
We suppose that many of the present
generation may not know that the New Eng.
land States held a Convention in Hartford,
Connecticut, during the last war with Great
Britain, for the purpose of seceding from the
Union. These patriotic States, which had
refused to furnish their quota of 'militia to
defend the country, when called upon the
President, met in treasonable conclave while
the country was involved in war with a foreign
foe, and made arrangements to retire from the
Union and from an alliance with England,
then at war with the nation. These Hartford
oonventionists actually sent commissioners to
Washington to treat about their withdrawal,
and were only arrested in their cowardly and
treasonable designs by the signing of the
treaty of peace. Now with such a record as
this, coupled with their subsequent violations
of the Constitution, is it not most amazing
that any man in New England can, have the
hardihood to talk of the present action of the
Southern States? These Northern fanatics
are the original seceders and the continued
aggressors upon the Constitution and the
rights of the' Southern States. They wanted
to dissolve the Union in 1814-'l5, and they
have done it in 1860.
IMPORTANT FROM LOUISIANA.
SEIZURE OP THY FORTS BY ORDER OP THE GOT
New OaLrens, Jan. 10.—All the troops
were under arms last night, by order of Gov—
ernor Moore.
Fiie companies embarked this morning at
two o'clock, to seise the arsenal at Baton
Rouge.
The Orleans Battalion Artillery and four
companies embarked at eleven for Forte Jack
son and St. Philip, forty miles below, on the
Mississippi, commanding the approach to New
Orleans.
The wharf was crowded with citizens, who
vociferously cheered the departure of the
steamer.
Three companies left this afternoon on a
steamer to seize Fort Pike, on Lake Pont—
chartrain.
New regiments of troops are being organ
iced.
A rumor prevails that the war steamer
Crusader is ooming up the river, and the
highest excitement prevails.
Texas and Florida will also seise their for
tificatioas.
The troops in Tennessee and Mississippi
are arming.
Eight hundred thousand dollars in specie
arrived to day from New York.
SENATOR SEWARD
This gentleman. who is to be the Premier
of the new Administration, made a speech in
the 11. S.. Senate, on Saturday last, in refer—
ence to our National difficulties. It was,
upon the whole, conciliatory ; but he made no
practical suggestions by way of healing the
troubles. Mr. S. is evidently an over rated
statesman, having more of the philosophical
than the practical in his composition, and is
therefore not the man for the present crisis.
THE EDITORS , BOOK TABLE.
OODKY'S LADY'S BOOK, for February, Is already on
our table, and a more Interesting number, or one more
beautifully embellished, has never been issued by the
enterprising publisher--and this is saying a great deal for
a work which, of Its kind, has no superior anywhere. The
Fashion Plate for February, entitled "A Cearaltation,7 is
really a superb engraving. Bo also the frontispiece en
titled "A High Walk in We. The other illustrations are
varied and numerous, and the reading matter is excellent
and interesting in every respect. The Lady's Book is
beyond question the best magazine In the Union.
THE NORTH BRITISH REVIEW, for November, and
BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURG MAGAZINE, for December,
have both.been received from the American Publishers,
Leonard Scott A Co., New York. As usual they are well
filled with strongly written and able articles on various
subjects, which cannot fell to be highly interesting and
instructive to the Intelligent reader.
4at. For eale at Weethaeffer's Book Store:
'THE METHODIST.—This admirable journal oommenced
its second volume, on Saturday last, In a greatly enlarged
form—thus giving evidence of full success In the enterprise.
It 1@ published weekly In quarto fdrm, at lig per annum,
inldvance, and Is now beyond question one of the largest,
as It Is the cheapest, religions papers of the day. The cur
.nt number contains an excellent engraving of Bishop
- 81XPIION. of the U. B. Church. Those of our readers who
desire a &steins religious journal, cannot do better than
by subscribing for The Methodist. It Is published by L.
Bangs, at No. 7 Beekman street. New. York, and edited by
esoles B. Canon, D. D., and Josst McCuirroct, D. D., two
of the ablest theologians in this country, who have all the
necessary tact and energy to make it, what it la one of the
mat interesting papers of its class in the Union.
Mir A Bedicine scientifically compounded ;
efficient in action, radical in its cures, con'
taming nothing; noxious, but everything
harmless, merits and will receive the support
of the public. Witness the Oxygenated Bit.
ter', that remarkable specific for Dyspepsia,
Indigestion, and Cienersl Debility.
CITY AND COUNTY A.IPPAIB.9.
.•
THE HOWARD EiVENINGS.—SAIIIIEL H. MIT.
wows, Req., delivered the last Howard Lecture before s
crowded house. He gave his audience truly able and
.patriotic lecture, and In referring tolini. day on which the
lecture win' delivered, (the Bth of.linnaiy,) and the glad:.
one old hero, Andrew Jackson, hit mentlinentayrere noble
and conservative, and excited lorplAnd prolonged applause.
Mr. IL'ir manner and. delivery ward' calculated to please
and Instruct any audience. - H . - • ,"
The Meennerrhor were pnwientignA, during the Interim*
thvored the audience with sowuraholre ia4atlana,uf vocal
made.
The emulsion was pardelpated in by Blini 'Mtwara, Gee.
McElroy, Zig., Prof. Wise and Judge Keyes, President
of the Howard Association.
The lecture this evening will be delivered by Rev. J.
Isom Moamar, of St. James' Epboopal Church. Subject:
"On Philosophy in Proverbs." It is not nearer, to ,say a
- word in proles of therevidttid - grattLsmanlrabilities llnd
qualifications eui a lectured. His meat lecture before the
Howard Astoelation last winter Will not soon be forgotten,
and is a sure guarantee that the one this evening will be
a rare treat. Mr. ELI, one of our.most learned imam
- Tow BTH or JANUalY.—Tuesday last, the
.13th of limner!, was celebrated with becoadng spirit in
this city by a parade of the military. The Feociblee, Cape
luarrEms commanding. paraded in the.rwanuitur.and the
Jackson Bides. Lieut. Rem commanding, paraded in the
evening, and fired salutes in honorer the day in different
quarters of the city. This latter company, we are informed,
under their noble commander, CeptiLexamear, hold them
selves ready at a moment's notice for service under the
Government. We hope, however, they will not be needed.
THE CADETS' EXHIBITION.—The Cadets of
Temperance Exhibition it Fulton Hall, on Friday evening
last was attended by a crowded home. The young gen
tlemen acquitted themselves handsomely alb through, and
in fact some of the scenes enacted would have been credit
able to some of those who "walk the boards" as "stmt."—
Indeed, the Firemen's Tableaux, and the scene of Wash
ington crossing the Delaware, were represented in such a
manner as not to be easily excelled, if equalled. The pro.
coeds of the exhibition were for the Lamat of the Home
for Friendless Children.
A 'Bin AFFAIR.--A man named Brown was
ehtt during an altercation, in West Earl township, on Sat
urday evening het, by a young man named Bender, mild
ing in this city. The shot was from a revolver, took effect
under the left eye, and It is supposed will prove mortal.—
Bender was arrested, and committed to prison on Sunday.
We have heard several reports about the tragic affair, but
as the subject will he legally investigated, we forbear any
comments.
COLD WEATHEIL—On Sunday morning last
the thermometer fell So below zero in thie city. ..This WWI
decidedly the coldest morning of the season. •
THE INAUGURATION BALL.—The Inaugura
tion Ball, to be given In the City of Harrisburg this even
ing, It Is . said, will be a grand affair. Keffer's superb
String Baud, of this city, is engaged to furnish the music,
and we can assure the devotees of Terpeleboreat the State
Capital and those Boit' other parts of the state that the
music will be of a tiptop order. We commend all our Old
Guard friends, who may happen to be there, to the care of
the "gay and incomparable Jowls, of the Patriot. As an
old citizen of our goodly city, he Is fully able to know and
appreciate their numerous wants. But now terms, 'as old
Rather Ritchie need to observe. •
GREAT . TBWMPa ..—At the municipal election
held on Monday the 7th inst., in the Borough of Columbia,
the Democrats and Union men swept the board clear, and
detested the stralght.otit Republican ticket "horse, foot, and
dragoons." The following is the result
Chief Burgett.
Peter Braley (Dem. and Union)
Samuel Truscott (Rep.)
Majority
Assistant Burgess.
Joseph Tyson (Dam. and Union) '
Milton Wike (itep.)
Majority..
Town Cburicii.
13. P. Eberlein
M. S. Shaman
B. P. Appold...
W.lligbter...
H. Bourbeer....
J. H. Black
School Directors
Samuel Grove
H. M. North...
D. I. Bruner...
High Cbratablt.
Samuel Wakes
IL Derrick
Majority 123
GREAT MEETING OF THE N. W. WARD De-
DMORACY.—On Thursday evening last the Democracy of the
North West Ward assembled at the Public House of Fred
erlok Lutz, corner of North Queen and Lemon streets.—
Alderman Chas. R. Franey was chosen President, Charles
G. Beal, Vice President, and Col. J. F. Reigart, Secretary.
The Chairman brisffy stated the object of the meeting.
On motion of CoL JOhn.Bainkin, a committee, viz: Col.
Rankin, Joseph Barnita, Lewis Zecher, Lieut. John Rees
and Capt. Henry Bliokenderfer, were appointed to make
the necessary arrangements for the ensuing City Election,
and report to the meeting to be held at the Public House
of Henry Rosenfelt, West King Street, on Thursday eve
ning next.
On motion of Mr. James Rogers, Col. Relgart wail re•
quested to address the meeting. The Col. complied, and
spoke amid great enthusiasm and applause. He concluded
by offering the following resolution, which was unani
mously adopted:
Ruched, That we, the Democracy of the North West
Ward, do hereby most determinedly declare ourselves firm
and united in favor of the Constitution and Laws of the
United States, and that we will use our beat efforts to
maintain the Compromises, Principles and Peace of the
Union forever.
Alderman S. G. Musser offered the following, which was
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the Compromises offered by the Hon. J.
J. Crittenden, now before the United States Senate, or any
similar resolutions for the adjustment of our National dif
ficulties, meet with the hearty approval of the Democracy.
Col Rankin then offered the following:
Resolved, That we most heartily approve of the conduct
of the President of the United States, in his endeavors to
pacifically settle the difficulties with South Carolina, and,
notwithstanding be was abandoned by a portion of his
Cabinet, the Democracy of the North West Ward, of the
City of Lancaster, stand firmly by him and;the gallant
Major Anderson in the course he has taken.
Col. Rankin, Mr. Charles O. Beal, F. S. Pyfer, Esq., and
Col. Relgart advocated the resolution, which was adopted
unanimously, after which the meeting adjourned with
cheers for the Union and the National Administration.
• We are informed that this wee the largest and most en
thusiastic Ward Meeting ever held in this city.
TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DAVID BRANDT.—The
following preamble and resolutions were adopted by the
Board of Prison Inspectors, at their stated meeting on the
Bth instant:
Wuseafa, It has pleased God In Hie Providence, to re
move by death our late fellow-member, David Brandt;
thereforA,
Respired. That whiteface bow In subminnion to Him who
"death all thioge well," we mourn the lose of one endeared
to us by mono pleasant associations.
Resolved. That la the dwith of Davld Brandt we have
lost a kind friend, whcwe amiable and gentlemanly deport.
meat and strict integrity will ever be remembered by the
member. of data Board
Resolved, That a copy of the above preamble and reso-
lutione be transmitted to the family of the deceased. be
recorded in the minutes of the Board, and be published.
SENATOR BIGLER.
The propositions submitted by the vanera.
ble Senator from Kentucky, a few days ago,
are heartily endorsed by Senator BIGLER, of
Pennsylvania, believing, as the latter does,
that the plan of Mr. CRITTENDEN is the best
yet submitted. As a proof of this, we will
cite the following remarks of Senator Thous
on the occasion of the presentation of some
petitions from Pennsylvania, relative to the
National difficulties. He used the following
language:
" I will remark in this connection, Mr.
President, with the indulgence of the Senate,.
that meetings of a similar character have
been held in different parts of that great State,
and I believe in every instance their proceed
ings have breathed a spirit of loyal devotion
to the whole country, and fidelity to the in,
stitutions of the country, to the Constitution,
and the Union as they now stand. They
further manifest the utmost disposition on the
part of the people of that State to avoid even
an appearance of evil, for the purpose of pro
during' harmony and peace .in this great
Confederacy. Furthermore, they indicate
very distinctly a desire to adopt promptly the
measures of adjustment suggested by the
Senator from Kentucky ; and I will venture
to repeat, what I have saidbefore, that if the
Congress of the United States will give the,
people an opportunity to act, they will em"
brace any reasonable measure of adjustment.
Our friends in the South will discover that
the people are prepared and willing to meet ,
their complaints in the spirit of kindness and
generosity, and respond favorably to any
demand which the States complaining may
make."
A VOICE OF REASON
Prof. A. B. Longetreet, President of the
South Carolina College, issues a four paged
pamphlet, entitled "Shall South Carolina bi
gin the Wars" in whioh he earnestly desires
that the Collector on board the Harriet Lane
may be allowed to land, and that he be treated
politely, and that every means be afforded to
allow the Collectors of the two eovereigntiee
to settle their respective claims in a spirit of
courtesy and kindness.
If the posts are reinforced, it would be an
unfair conflict. Hundreds of our sons would
be slain, Fort Moultrie would become deserted,
and the wrath of the United States be brought
upon our devoted city: He implores his
fellow-oitbsens to /et the first shot come from
the enemy.
PROM WASHINGTON ‘
"WASHINaTON, Jan. 9.
There seems to be a mistake or misappre.
hension somewhere. It is denied by gentle—
men very intimately related to the Adminis—
tration, that the recruits to Fort Sumpter
were ordered without the' previous sanction of
the President, and further, that the subject
was discussed in the Cabinet, and acting
Secretary of War, Holt, as well as some of
the other members of the Cabinet, clearly
understood that it was the wish of the Presi•
dent that the recruits should at once be sent.
The War Department is in possession of
information that the Governor of South Caro—
lina has forbidden the United States Sub.
Treasure; at Charleston, from paying the
drafts of the . Paymaster in favor of Majcir
Anderson and his. command, and the "Sub.
Treasurer has refused accordingly.
Half a million of specie is daily expected
from Nov York, by the Treasury Department.
NOBLE SENTIMENTII
From the great speech made by Judge
Douciuss, in the U. S. Senate; on the 3d inst.,
we make the following , extracts:
The laws of nations and all 'the laws of
eivilisepon demanded that the . governmetft de
Awl°6a acknowledged. Bathe laws must
e eiforetalkqn our systein: of government
the laws are to be enforced. by civil authority
asiiistid by. the 'militia and'poise comitalus,
when the Marshal is resisted. If the colonies,
or a State, revolt, the revolution is complete.
When the federal authorities are expelled and
no oneman left to acknowledge allegiance to the
United States ' how are you going to enforce
thalami then? How are you going to do in
South Carolina? She has passed an ordinance
of secession. I deny her right to secede, but
she has done it. The revolution is complete.
She has no human being in her borders to
acknowledge our. authority. This is all
. wrong, but bow are you going to help it?
You tell us we must enforce the laws. lam
in favor of .that. Laws must be enforced
according to the constitution and the laws.
Under our constitution, 'laws can only be en
forced against criminals ; and those of us who
are in favor of the Constitution and the
Union. must be careful that we do not perpe
trate the very things which we denounce as
criminal in these seceding States. And South
Carolina does not. stand alone. We are told
that seven other States will follow her, and
we have reason to apprehend that seven more
States may follow them. The answer is, we
must enforce' the laws. My reply is, you
cannot 'enforce the laws in countries not in
your possession. I deny that we have the
righ tto make war in order to regain possession,
in order to enforce the law. Are we pre
pared for war? Ido not mean prepared in
the sense of having soldiers, arms and muni
tions ; but are we prepared in our hearts-for
war with our brethren? While I affirm that
the constitution was intended to form a per
petual Union—while I affirm the right to use
all lawful means to enforce the laws—yet I
will not meditate war, nor tolerate the idea,
until after every effort at adjustment has
been tried and failed, and all hope of the
Union is gone. Then, and not till then, will
I deliberate and determine what course my
duty will require of me. I am for peace to
save the Union. War is disunion, certain,
inevitable, final and irrepressible. Our own
very existence forbids war.
* * * * * *
" A war between eighteen States on the
one side, and fifteen seceding States on the
other, is to me a revolting thing. For what
purpose is the war to be waged? Certainly
not for the purpose of preserving the Union
I have too much respect for gentlemen on the
other side of 'the chamber, collectively and
individually, to believe there is one among
them who does not know what war is. You
cannot expect to exterminate ten millions of
people, whose passions are excited with the
belief that you mean to invade their homes
and light the flames of insurrection in their
midst. Yon must expect to exterminate
them, or subjugate them, or else, when you
have got tired of war, to make a treaty with
them. No matter whether the war lasts one
year, or seven years, or thirty years, it must
have an end at some time. Sooner or later
both parties will become tired and exhausted,
and when rendered incapable of fighting any
longer, they will make a treaty of peace, and
that treaty will be one of separation. The
history of this world does not furnish an
example of a war of sections, or between
States of the same nation, where the war
ended in reconciliation. Such a war always
ends in a treaty of peace, and a final, eternal
separation. I don't understand, then, how a
man -can claim to be a friend of the Union,
and yet be in favor of a war upon ten millions
of people in the Union. You cannot cover it
up much longer under the pretext of love for
the Union. Now, the question must be met,
and whatever concessions I am called upon
to make, I choose to make voluntarily, before
blood is shed, and not afterward. No man
has more pride of country than I. It hum
bles my pride to-.see the authority of the
government questioned, but we are not the
first nation whose pride has been humbled.
Republics, empires and kingdoms, alike in all
ages, have been subject to the same humilia
ting fact. - But where there is a deep seated
discontent pervading ten millions of people,
penetrating every man, woman and child, and
involving everything dear to them, it is time
for inquiring whether there is not some cause
for the feeling. If there be just cause for it,
in God's name let us remove it. Are we not
criminal in the sight of Heaven and posterity,
if we do not remove the just cause ? If there
is no cause, and yet they believe there is, so
much the greater the necessity for removing
the misconception."
243
119
.130
197
127
122
229
.256
115
123
246
123
R. THOMPSON'S RESIGNATION
HIS LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AND THB REPLY
WASHINGTON, January 8, 1861 —Sift : It is
with extreme regret I have just learned that
additional troops have been ordered to
Charleston. This subject has been frequently
discussed in Cabinet Council; and when on
Monday night, 31st of December ultimo, the
orders for reinforcements to Fort Sumpter
were countermanded, I distinctly understood
from you that no order of the kind would be
made without being previously considered
and decided in Cabinet. It is true that on
Wednesday, January 2d, this subject was
again discussed in Cabinet, but certainly no
conclusion was reached, and the War Depart.
ment was not justified in ordering reinforce
ments without something more than was then
said.
" I learn, however, this morning, for the
first time, that the steamer Star of the West
sailed from New York last Saturday night
with two hundred and fifty men, ander Lieu
tenant Bartlett, bound for Fort Sumpter.
Under these circumstances I feel myself bound
to resign my commission, as one of your con•
stitutional advisors, into your hands.
With high respect, your obedient servant,
J. THOMPSON."
His Excellency JAMES Bum:IAN/a.
President of the United States.
WASHINGTON, January 9, 1861.—Sia: I
have received and accepted your resignation,
on yesterday, of the office of Secretary of the
Interior.
On Monday evening, 31st December, 1860,
I suspended the orders whioh had been issued
by the War and Navy Departments to send
the Brooklyn with reinforcements to Fort
Sumpter. Of this I informed you on the
same evening. I stated to you my reason for
this suspension, which you knew, from its
nature, would be speedily removed. In con
sequence of your request, however, I promised
that these orders should not be renewed " with
out being previously considered and decided
id Cabinet." This promise was faithfully
observed on my part.
In order to carry it into effect, I called a
special Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 2d
January, 1861, in which the question of send
ing reinforcements to Fort Sumpter was
amply discussed both by yourself and others.
The decided 'majority of opinions was against
you. At this moment the answer of the
South Carolina Commissioners' to my com
munication to them of the 31st December was
received and read. It produced much indig
nation among the members of the Cabinet.
After a brief conversation, I employed the
'following language: "It is now alt over, and
reinforcements must be sent." Judge Black
said at the moment of my decision, that after
this letter the Cabinet would be unanimous,
and I heard no dissenting voice. Indeed, the
spirit and tone. of the letter left no doubt on
my mind that Fort Sumpter would be imme
diately attacked, and hence the necessity of
sending reinforcements there without delay.
Whilst you admit "that on Wednesday,
January 2d, this subject was again.diecussed
In Cabinet," you say„" but certainly no oon
elusion WM readied, and the War Department
was not justified in, ordering reinforcements
without something more than was then said."
You are eertainly mistaken in alleging that
"no conclusion was reached." In this, your
recollection is entirely different from that of
your four oldest coUeagues in the Cabinet.
Indeed, my, language was, so unmistakable
that the Secretaries of War and the Navy
proceeded to act upon it without any further
intercourse with myself than what you heard,
or might have heard me say. You had been
so etnphatio in opposing these reinforcements
that I. thought you would resign in come
qualm of mydeoision. I deeply-regret that
you have been mistaken in point of fact,
though firmly believe honestly mistaken.
Still it is certain you have 'dot the less been
mistaken. Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Hon. JACOB THOMPSON.
The Legislature of have eleoted
.
cive cir Morrill s U.' S. Silhattli;to itake
the place of Mr. Hamlin, the Vioe President
sleet, who has resigned his seat.
PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL. anussen
To this Sesustoinsel Howe of Reprosentatit44:
At the openintof year present session,l called
your attention-to the dangers ' which threa tened the
existence of the Union. I- expressed my opinion
freely ittoneerning.the original causes of these den
geria' arid recommended latolfmearturea as I believed.
woo:4 haver the effect of tranquilizing the country,
sidsevlng it Erode I theperiV in which it had been
noilleakrand meettinfartunately involved. Those
opinicourilnd reeoniniendations I do not propose now
toXepeida - My own Ocinviiitiens upon the whole sub
joist remain unchanged.. -Tha fact that a great ca
lamity was impending over the nation was even at
that time acknowledged by sitar' y intelligent eitissa.
It had already made kiwiffelt throughout the length
and breadth of the land. The necessary conaequen
oes of the alarm thus produced were most deplorable.
The imports fell of with a rapidity never known
before, except is time of war, in the history of our
foreign commerce. The Treasury was unexpectedly
left without the means,' which it had reasonably
counted upon.-ta meet its pablio engagements, trade
was paralyzed, manufactures were stopped, the best
public securities sunk in themarket, every species
of property depreciated more or leas, and thousands
of poor men, who depended oa their daily labor fur
their daily bread, .Were turned out of' employment. -
I deeply, regret that I, run notable to give you any
itiformation upon - the state of - the Union - which 'is
more satisfactory than what I. was then 'obliged to
etenunanicate, Oa the contrary, matters- are still
worse at the pre s ent time than t he y then were.—
~.
When °ingrate met a 'axon& 'hope ,
pervaded the
whole public mind that soma amicable ojustanw4 of
the subject would be speedily made by the blowy
sentatives of the" States and of the - people, much
might restore peace between the conflicting sections
of the country. That hope has, been diminished by
every hour of delay, 'and, as the 'prospect or a blood
less settlement fades away, the public. distress be
comes more and more aggravated.. •.As an, evidence
of this, it is only necessary to say that the Treasury
notes, authorized by the witted' the 17th of December
last, were advertised acoordiag to law, and that au
responsible bidder , offered to take any cionlid.rable•
sum at
_par, at a lower rate of interest than 12 per
cent. From these facts it appears that in a govern
ment organized like ours domestic strife, or even a
well-grounded fear of civil is more destruc
tive to our public and private interests than the most
formidable foreign war.
In my Annual Message I expralied the conviction
Which J. have long deliberately held, and which re
cent reflection has only 'tended to deepen and con
flrni, that no State has the right, by its own act, to
secede from the Union, or throw off its Federal obli
gations at pleasure. .1 also declared my opinion to
be, that even if that right existed and should be
exercised, by any State of the Confederacy, the
Executive Department oof this Government
had no authority, .under the Constitution,
to recognize its validity by acknowledging the inde
pendence of such State. Thus left me no alternative,
as the Chief Executive officer under the Constitution
of the United stow, but to collect the public reve
nue, and to protect the public property so far as this
might be practicable under the existing laws. This
is sail my purpose. Illy province is to execute, not
to make the laws. It belongs to Congress exclusively
to repeal, modify or enlarge their provisions to meet
exigencies as they occur. L possess no di-penning
power. 1 certainly had no right to make an aggres
sive war upon any State, and 1 am perfectly satisfied
that the Constitution has wisely withheld that power
even from Congress. But the right and the duty to
use the military tome defensively against those who
resist the Federal officers in the execution of their
legal functions, and against those who assail the
property of the Federal Government, is clear and
undeniable. But the dangerous and hostile attitude
of States towards each other has already far trans
cended, and cast into the shade, the ordinary Exec
utive duties already provided for by law, and has
assumed' such vast and alarming proportions as to
place the subject entirely above and beyond the Ex
ecutive,control.
The feet cannot be disguised that we are in the
midst of a great revolution. In all its various bear
ings, theretore, I commend the question to Congress,
as the only human tribunal under Providence pos
sessing the power to meet the existing emergency.—
To them exclusively belongs the power to declare
war or authorize the employment of the military
force, in all oases contemplated' by the Constitution ;
and they alone possess the power to remove the
grievances which might lead to war, and to secure
peace and union to tuts distracted country. On them,
and on them alone, rests the responsibility.
The Union is a sacred trust left by our revolution
ary fathers to their descendants; and never did soy
other people inherit so rich a legacy. it has ren
dered ue prosperous in peace and triumphant in war.
The national flag has floated with glory over every
sea. Under its shadow American citizens have found
protection and respect in all lands beneath the sun.
11 we descend to considerations of purely material
interest, when, in the history of all time, has a Con
federacy been bound together with snob strong ties
of mutual interest? Each portion of it is dependent
on all, and all upon each other, for prosperity said
domestic security. A free trade throughout the
whole supplies the wants of one portion from the
productions of another, and scatters wealth every
wnere. The great planting and farming States re
quire, and commercial navigating States send their
productions to domestic and foreign markets, and
furnish a naval power to render their trausportatiou
secure against all hostile attacks. Should the Union
perish iu the midst of the present excitement, we
have already had a sad foretaste of the uuiversal
suffering witch would result from its destruction.—
The calamity would be severe in every portion of
the Union, and would be quite as great, to say the
least, in the Southern as in the Northern States.
The greatest aggravation of the evil, and that
which would place us in a most unfavorable light,
both before the world and posterity, is, as 1 am firmly
convinced, that the secession movement has been
chiefly based upon a misapprehension at the South
of the sentiments of the majority in several of the
Northern States. Let the question be transferred
from political assemblies to the ballot-box, and the
people themselves would speedily redress the serious
grievances which the South have suffered. But, iu
lleaven a name, let the trial be made before we
plunge into an armed conflict upon the there assump
tion that there is no other alternative.
Time is a great conservative power. Let as pause
at this momentous point, and afford the people of
both North and Soutu en opportunity fur reflection.
Would that South Carolina had been convinced of
this truth before her precipitated action. I there
tore appeal, through you, to the people of the coun
try, to declare in their might, that '• the Union must
and shall be preserved" by all Constitutional means.
I must earnestly recommend that you devote your
selves exclusively to the question how this can be
accomplished in peace All other questions, when
compared with this, sink into insignificance. The
present is no time for palliation. Action, prompt
motion, is required. A delay in Congress to prosecute
and recommend a distinct and practical proposition
for ounoiliiition may drive us to a point from which
it will be almost impossible to recede. A common
ground on which conciliation and harmony may be
produced is surely not unattainable.
The proposition to compromise by letting the
North have exclusive control of the territory upon a
certain line, and giving Southern institutions pro
tection below that line, ought to receive universal
approbation. In itself, indeed, it may not be en
tirely satisfactory; but when the alternative is be
tween a reasonable concession on bottaides, and the
destruction of the Union, it is an imputation on
the patriotism of. Congress to assert that its members
will hesitate for a moment.
Even now the danger is upon us. In several States
which have not eeoeded, the forts, arsenals and mag
azines of the United States have been seized. This
is by far the most serious stepffrbioli has been taken
since the commencement of thiCtroubles. This pub
lio property has been left without garrisons and
troops for its protection, because no person doubted
its security under the fig of the country in all the
States of the Union. Besides, our small army has
scarcely been sufficient to guard oar remote terri
tories against Indian inoursiohs.
The seizure of this property, from all appearances,
has beau purely aggressive, and not in resistance to
any attempt to coerce a State or States to remain in
the Union. At the, beginning of these unhappy
troubles, I determined that no act of mine should
increase the excitement in either section of the
country. If the political conflict were to end in civil
war, it was my determined purpose not to commence
it, nor even_ to furnish an excuse for it by any act of
this Government. My opinion remains unchanged,
that justice, as well as a sound polioy, requires us
still to seek a peaceful solution of the questions at
issue between the North and South. Entertaining
this conviction, I refrained even from sending rein
forcements to Major Andenion, who commanded the
forte in Charleston harbor, until an absolute necessity
for doing so shall make itself apparent, lest it might
unjustly be regarded as a menace of military co
ercion, and thus furnish, if not a provocation, at
least a pretext for an outhreak on the part of South
Carolina. No necessity for these reinforcements
seemed to exist.
I was assured by distinguished and upright gentle
men from South. Carolina,
that no attack on Major
Anderson was intended ; but that, on the contrary,
it was the desire of the State authorities, as much as
it was my own, to avoid the fatal consequences which
must inevitably follow a military collision. And
here I deem it proper to submit for your information
copies of a communication dated the 28th.of Decem
ber, 1850, addressed to me by R. W. Barnwell, J.
H Adams, and James L. Orr, Commissioners from
South Carolina, with accompanying documents, and
copies of my answer thereto, dated the 31st of De
cember.
In further explanation of Major Anderson's re
moval from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumpter, it is
proper to state that, after 'my answer to the South
Carolina Commissioners, the War Department re
ceived a letter from that gallant officer, dated on the
27th of December, 1860, (the day after this move
ment.) from which the following lean extract :
"I will add, as my opinion, that many things
convinced me that the authorities of the State de
signed to proceed to a hostile act." (Evidently
referring to the orders, dated December 11th, of the
late Seoretary of. War.) " Under this impression, I
could not hesitate that it was solemn duty to
move my command from a fort which we•oould not
probably have held longer than forty:eight or sixty
hours to this one, where my power of reaistance is
increased in a very great degree."
It will be recollected that the concluding, part of
these orders were in the following terms
" The smallness of your force will not permit you,
perhaps, to ocetapy morn than one of the three forts;
but an attack on, or an attempt to take possession of
either one of them, will be regarded as an act of
hostility, end you may then put your command into
either of them whichyou may deem most proper to
increase its power of resistance. Your are also
authorised to take similar defensive steps whenever
you have tangible evidence of a design to proceed to
a hostile act."
It is said that serious apprehensions are to some
extent entertained that the_ peace of this district
may be disturbed before March next. In any event
it will be my duty to prevent it,,and this tittty.shall
be performed. .
In conclusion it may be permitted tome to remark,
that I have often warned my countrymen of the
dangers which' now surround us. This may be the
last time I shall refer-to the subject officially,—l feel
that my duty ha:sheen:faithfully though imperfectly
performed, and whatever the result may • bet, I shall
carry to my grave the consciousness, that I, at least,
mean,. well for my country;
JAMES BUCIIANAN.
Wardrixerox Cm, January Eith,
war senior srtrAßD,lit is DOW. positively
asserted, is to be Secretary of State in Mr.
Lincoln's administration.
caumrize ON THE CONSTITUTION.
The Difficulties that surround us.
The subjoined ;'artiele, from the -Boston Post, is
the histories' facts it recalls, and the
forcible manner in which it sets forth the duties and -
powers of the President, under. the Constitution, as
applicable to the present threatening condition of- ,
the otitintd :
Cerirdn: people at the North will insist that the
United litatealgoverunient is a military despotism,
Snit that President has all the powers of
the Ulna MiPertis to seise and lmpriwn, and hang
lam at kiii . gdeasare. Thus the republumn presses ,
are derdanding of die President that he shall seise
the ouunuisawners from tioutn Carolina, and ay them
fur treason. if you ask them what is treason, tney
can't tell, . but they insist taat - Ltio President ought
to hang aoluebody, because Parton in what he cads
hie late lit Andrew Jaoksou," (compiled too much
from street talk and newspaper alautlord,) sou it
down that lieu. Jackson proposed to baug lial
houa fur nuditioatiou, wawa is Calms. No (Milan
can be.punistied or deprived of lfe or liberty in this
country wunout due process of law.
alusaaolluaottd 414141.11Y•311 the 'Lanford convention
in the War iillBl4 to set up a nexu:au cuuiederation,
and &sun Camino has gut up is otoozedou couvouLion
to prouifotato inc alavalmdutig hiatus mw a suudiofit
Ooluodor_dion.
Massiumusetta, in 1814, sent two ambassadors of
the Hartford outiveutiuu to Washington to demand
of Pres dent Madison tueresparatiou . tu New liaigianti
truth the Caton us earrying uu tue war. William
sultivuu and damson uray Otis were the commis
mesa. Mr. Madison did nut propose to uang mew.
But, as Mr. demi quiticy Adams says, of the peace
of idneut, the news of Wniuu urine while the com
missioners Were at W diuiudtua, •• the interposition
of a kind Providence averted the most ile'ploranie of
cattuaropties"—" the attain/Ah=em, of a northern
ountederaoy."
Soma Carolina now follows the example of Massa
chusetts uy sending tier oommissiuuers to President
iduenanan, and Piesideut Buouatian is bouAbd by
Massubbusetts in particular because he won't llelig
them fur treason without judge or jury
Now let us inquire• whet treason is, and what the
constitution says about seizing and flanging people
in this country. Tne coustuuttou of the United
States says: •• Treason against the United States
shall consist only in levying war against them, or
in adhering, to their enemies, giving them aid and
comfort."
Tins last applies only to aiding a foreign enemy
and giving them aid and oomfurt, us the Hartford con
vention did in 1814.
The United States not being at war, treason now
can consist only in levying war upon the Crated
States, and the constitution says there must be sellie
overt net, proved by two witnesses. And what is
levying war is thus defined by the Supreme Court in
the United States vs. Aaron Burr : "To levy war is
to raise, innate, make or carry on war. War can bo
levied uuly by the employment of actual force—
troops must .he embodied, men must be openly
raised," ao. And the purpose must be to make
war ou the United States. Thus to march in areas
with a force marshaled and arrayed, committing
acts of violence and devastation, in order to compel
the resignation of a publio officer, or to render in
effective an act of Congress, is high treason," says
Chief Justice Marshall.
limit was the nature of the offence which Theodore
Parser Wendell Phillips, and their associates were
charged with when they incited the mob in raueuil
Hall to go to the court house and rescue Burns, toe
fugitive slave, in which unlawful enterprise Batch
elder, one of the marshal's deputies, was murdered.
And here again South Carolina is only following this
example of Massachusetts an the attack upon the
forts, if she has really used military force to take
theta. That is treason in the men who committed
and incited the act, unless South Carolina tias.a,
right to secede from the Union. But it is nut treason
in the State, for a State cannot commit treason. It
is only treason in the individuals who commit the
overt not. And if it be treason or misdemeanor,
where is the authority of the President to seize or
hang anybody, ae the republicans are insisting he
ought to do, and charge him with being a traitor for
not doing it? The constitution is very plain on this
point. It reads thus: .
"The trial of all grimes shall be by jury, and
such trial shall be held in the State where the said
crime shall have been committed."
"No person shall be held to answer for a orime
unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand
jury, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property
without due process of law."
And " the accused shall enjoy the right to a public
trial by an impartial jury of the State where the
crime hat been committed." These are the limita
tions of that despotism which certain people so in
considerately claim now-a-days tier the President.
If any citizens ur body of men in South Carolina
have levied war against the United States they can
not be arraigned or tried for it any where but in South
Carolina. There must first be an indictment foetid
by a grand jury in South Carolina. There must be
a District Attorney to prepare and attest the indict
ment. There must be a court to receive it and
arraign the prisoner, and a jury to try him.
This last was the protection which Parker and
Phillips and their associates found when they were
indicted for what they called •• free speech," in
connection with the murder of Batenelder, and the
obstruction of the laws of the United States for the
rendition of fugitive slaves. The President could
not seize them, nor could they be tried anywhere but
in Massachusetts; and though there were all, the
officers of law here and a grand jury indicted them,
they escaped a trial and gut off upon a very small
technicality, which was, that the commissioner who
issued his warrant of arrest had signed it only coin
naissioner, without saying what commissioner; and
the court held that the indictment, however drawn,
could out supply this deficiency, because it could
not go beyond the description in the warrant.
Just so President Boca Luau has no power to seize
or arraign or try anybody iu Washington or any
where else. 1.1 there have been acts of trees
they have been committed only in South Carolina.
The parties charged must be tried in than State by a
jury of the State. There is no United States mar
shal to arrest them, nu district attorney to indict
them; no grand jury to find a bill, uoMourt to ar
raign and no jury to try them. How then are the
steps to be taken which the constitution demands
in every ease of alleged crime? And .f Allure were
all the officers of the court and juries, everybody
knows that a court iu SAuth °initial would hold
that the right of seueslion absolved the party accused
from tits liability to the laws of the Uaited otates,
andmp jury would convict.
leiliould be the dime in Massachusetts, if, under
the personal liberty biLl, a tugicive from labor sh old
be taken before a jury to ba triel. No Mcssachu
setts jury could be found to a4ree th it ho was a
fugitive slave. thus it is obvious that Massachusetts
and South. Carolina stand in the Caine c ctegory of
disunion and secession, so long as these laws remain
on her statute book, and so long as her 'people resist
and refuse to execute the laws of the Uuited States
within her borders.
But it is said, suppose the Judges and all the
United States officers nave resigned in South Caro
lina, why don't President Buchanan supply the
vacancies? But what then? He could find no men
in South Carolina to accept the offiu,s, and the law
requires that they shall be appointed in the District.
Even if he sent Northern men there they would not
be allowed to act, and if they were resisted, then it
comes back to just where we started from; those
who resisted must be indicted and tried by a court
and jury in the State.
If men of sense would look at the facts and law,
and read the constitution, they would see the prac
tical difficulties in the way of the summary process
with which they require the President to deal with
existing difficulties. He can only move the consti
tutional machinery of government in executing the
laws. If the machinery is all broken up in a State,
he cannot invade a State, or send an army there,
to enforce martial law, unless the Governor or Leg
islature call upon hint to suppress insurrection or
domestic violence. He can send troops to the forts,
and if. the commissioners of South Carolina re
quire him to order troops to one or another fort they
assume what does not belong to them. The Presi
dent, as commander-in-chief, is to judge for himself
of the expediency ; . and on this point be should
insist, and yield to no threats from South Carolina,
or anybody, if they are made. It is this question
of expediency as to reinforcing the forts at Charles
ton which the President has gravely considered.
If Major Anderson has solved the difficulty with
out bloodshed, so much the better. Of what avail
would United States troops have been there if sent,
as they must have been, when their presence would
have brought on a bloody (millet? If any were
sent in such a crisis, an army should have
been sent sufficient to conquer South Carolina, aided
as they would be, the moment blood was shed. by
the sympathizing States. That would have been .
civil war. The President did not bring on this ir
repressible conflict," and will endeavor to avoid
staining his hands with the blood of his fellow-eiti
zens in a fratricidal war. It is his purpose (and he
will prove the true patriot and Christian if he suc
ceeds in doing it) to leave his high office without a
drop of blood having been needlessly shed in this
awfully impending battle of the States "
Mr. Lincoln will then take the responsibility, and,
he has four years in which to carry out his policy. - " - ..
If be means peace and union he will recommend
concession and compromise, and a restoration of the
fraternal relations of all the States, and endeavor
to shed no blood to madden the whole 'country.
In the meantime, Mr. Buchanan must bear all
the unreasoning assaults made upon him, until reason
shall resume- her sway and justify the only peace
policy that could save a civil war, if indeed any
policy can do it. But really it is notes small a
thing as some people think to sacrifice millions of
lives in the attempt of one section of the country
to conquer another section of the country and pre
serve the Union, as they call it, by bathing it in seas
of blood and carnage. Let us pause a little while,
study the constitution, and reflect.
“THE HASSAOHIISR.TTS SCHOOL.”
Those who talk so glibly of Southern seces
sion seem to have forgotten that the records
of Massachusetts legislation have in them
resolutions to the following effect :
Resolved, That the annexation of Texas is,
ipso facto, a dissolution of the Union.
Resolved, That Texas being annexed Mae.
saolausetts is out of the Union.
These resolutions stand unrepealed. Yet
this same Massachusetts, with her personal
liberty bills, negro suffrage, negro equality,
js the:fountain head and source of all aggres•
sions against the South, and is most loud
mouthed in her denunciations of disunion,
uttered from the same mouths which preaohed
disunion at the Hartford Convention:
DESENCES AT PENSACOLA -1 he "important
post of Pensacola, Florida, is now well &lard
ed. There is one company of infantry, with
two vessels of war, at that station. Key
West, also another highly important, station
with one of the finest harbors ip the world,
and holding the key of the Gtilf of Mexico, is
occupied by a sufficient force to' 'Protect it
against any- attack the reiolutionists can.
'make .tipon it. Hampton- Pauli, the other
naval station in the South, is likewise in a
secure position.