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BY & X BOW.
CLEARFIELD, PA., WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1861.
VOL. 7.-NO. 40.
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H
TOTJBTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
OJ CENTRE ASD rLEAgAMT'GROVE Sf.NDAV SCHOOLS
The Schools met on the old Camp Ground,
on the farm of Capt. A. Addleman, at 10 o'
clock, A.' M ; when Alex. Caldwell, Esq., was
.chosen President Jacob Hoover, Abraham
JJailv, Orris Hoyt, Wm. Carr, Jacob S. Cole,
John D. Wright, John Welch, William Mc
Cullougb, Sr., and Joseph Bailey, Vice Presi
dents; and W.J. Hemphill, Wm. P. Beck and
George W. Boal, Secretaries. The exercises
wero opened with singing, and prayer by the
President ; alter which the Martial Band play
ed several National Airs, which were calcula
ted to arouse the Patriotism of all present.
At 1 o'clock, about 300 persons sat down
to as sumptuous a dinner as could well be got
ten up ; which the Ladies of Centre and Pleas
ant Grove are fully competent to do. The
cloth being removed, the Declaration of Inde
pendence was read by W. J. Hemphill ; alter
Which J. B. McEnally, Esq., delivered a very
able and stirring address, which was cheered
-and enlivened by niusrc from the Band. Mr.
McEnally, said :
The 4th of July should always be held in
grateful remembrance by thcAmerican people.
But never was it more appropriate to do so than
at this time. Fur now we are cast upon trou
blesome times. There is no year in our history
more important than the present none in
which great events crowd upon each other in
such rapid succession none in which we more
need the spirit of the sages and patriots of 1776.
Let us then recur to other days. For we
may rest assured that the same vigilance, vir
tue and wisdom, that wero necessary to a
cliieve and establish our liberties, arc still
needed to protect and preserve them. The
Revolution was successful. By it we cut oft
all . allegianco to the King of Great Britain,
and secured our independence. But this would
have beeu of little avail without some system
of government better than the one we cast oil.
We wanted one adapted to our circumstances
one that would make us a great people, that
would secure us the blessings of liberty and
domestic tranquility at home, and would af
ford us respect and protection abroad. This
was a task most difficult of all. Wc have
scarcely any idea of the vital importance and
difficulty of the work. It required for its suc
cessful accomplishment, a pure patriotism,
combined with the highest political wisdom
that was ever conferred upon mortal men.
Let us thank God with hearttelt gratitude that
he raised up men who were equal to the task.
Our Fathers who built the fabric of our gov
ernment were no common men. They were
intellectual giants who towered above their
fellows ; and who, as a body of meu combining
political wisilom and virtue, never had their
peers.5 The "fabric of constitutional liberty
.which they built was no common work. They
laid its foundations deep and broad, they made
its pillars solid and strong. Their work was
not a loose and airy thing to bo blown away
by' every secession breeze; , but it was a com
pact and noble structure intended to shelter
a free teopIe and make them a united nation
whilst ages should endure. That government
which they gave us has new beeu tried for
more than 70 years. Under it separated and
independent States were formed into oue Glo
rious Union. Under it we have enjoyed grea
ter blessings and greater civil, aud political
liberty than auy community on the face of the
globe. Under it, too, we have grown and
prospered, both in peace and iu war, till we
have become a great people with a great name
among the nations of the earth. It is now at
tempted by traitorous hands to break that
government to pieces, under which we have
enjoyed these many blessings to rend that
Union to. fragments, which has been our glo
ry and our strength. Shall it be permitted ?
'o, never! Tho men of a past generation
formed this Union, and it is the duty of this
generation to protect it. There are those
who undertake to calculate iu dollars and cents
liow much the Union is worth, or how much it
will take to defend it. I have no such calcu
lations to make. I consider the Union beyond
all price, and whilst there is a possibility for
successful effort, with a dollar to spend and a
man to fight, let it be defended at every haz
ard. I would have my countrymen adopt the
brave words of Andrew Jackson. "The Union
must and. shall be preserved." No, my coun
trymen; suffer no domestic treason to rend
this Union in pieces, suffer no star to be torn
from your honored flig. I adjure you by the
memories of the noble dead, to preserve that
great inheritance bequeathed to jou by their
labors. Let our brave soldiers standing this
day on the banks of the Potomac, where sleeps
the great Washington, vow before high Heav
en that no other flag, but the flag of the Union
ho loved so well, shall wave over tho land
where his ashes repose.
Wm. M. McCnllough, Sr., and W. Carr, also
entertained the audience with shost and patri
otic speeches. The following regular and
volunteer toasts were then read.
REGULAR TOASTS.
! Tho day we celebrate. The associations
of this day will rekindle the fires of liberty to
the end of time.
2. The Union. Cherished by every true
Patriot. Paralyzed be every traitor's arm
that is raised against it.
3. The Star Spangled Banner. Our glorious
flag, may it speedily wave, O'er the soil trod
by traitors, and over their graves.
4. Our Army and Navy. Glorious in their
past history. May they still successfully pro
tect our flag against foes without and icbels
within.
5. The President of the United States Let
him say Uk0 Andrew Jackson : "The Union
must and shall be preserved."
6; J'ieut. Gen. Winfield Scott. The greatest
military leader in the world, and as patriotic
as he is great. His name and his deeds will
ulUbe proudest page of our present history.
'Pennsylvania. Steady and loyal the
keystone of the arch. She will stand immo
vo.e as a rock in defence of the honor of the
country, and the union of the States.
8. George Washington. Tho father of his
country and friend of the Union. May the
na8 of that Union ever wave over the soil
ncre his ashes repose.
Secession. A. word that should ever be
ispised by all true and loyal citizens of
America.
10. American Mothers. Teachers whose les
are never forgotten. May they ever teach
-' cDuaren to love God. and their country.
11.
xoung America t
''Let thy noble motto be,
Cod ! thy Country .'Liberty !
jrUnted on Religion's rock,
Thou shalt stand in every shock I"
12. The Ladies : Their presence has lent
new charms to the enjoyment of this occasion
May we all live to meet again
With womans cheerful face before us,
And freedom's banner streaming o'er us.
13. Sunday Schools The nurseries of vir
tue in the rising generation : the safa guard!
ans of liberty and independence. May all fu
ture generations enjoy their blessings.
VOLUNTEER TOASTS.
By W. J. Hemphill. Hon. Andrew John
son of Tennessee The able and fearless cham
pion of the Constitution and the Union ; who
has never evinced either weakness at the knees
nor rottencss of the heart ; either when assail
ed by Southern Rebels with arms in their
hands, or in the Senate Chamber by Nothern
doughfaces. His services will be rewarded
by an elevation to the highest office iu the
gut of the American people.
By Jacob Hoover. Gen. Twiggs ; the Arch
Traitor who betrayed the confidence reposed
in him by the chief Executive of the best and
most liberal Government the sun ever shone
upon, by basely betraying into the hands of
the Rebels the loyal soldiers under his com
mand, and by robbing the Government of
money, arms, and munitions of war. May he
speedily meet the doom which awaits him.
By A. G. Hoyt. The Federal Union and
the Constitution, which recognize the sover
eign rights of the people of each State to
form their own government and institutions.
May this truly Republican principle of our
fathers, be understood and adhered to in all
time to come ; and may all traitors, interlo
pers and meddlers, be smoked out aud choked
like Brown.
By W. B. Hemphill. Sthphen A. Douglas,
tho latriot and Statesman revered and be
loved by all who knew him. His untimely
death has cast a gloom throughout our land,
scarcely paralellcd by the death of any of our
public men. Tbe loss of his eminent services
to his country, at this time, will bo severely
felt. Peace to his ashes.
By G. B. Hoover. Our National and State
Constitutions they have both been afflicted
for a long time by a weakness somewhat allied
to the spine complaint. May they speedily re
cover so as to dismiss all Doctors of Divinity
from our army and navy, aud all rogues from
the post-office Department.
By Edw'd Goodfellonv-The Sunday school,
has been the means of reclaiming many a
youth from the frowardness of his ways and
pointing him the way to God. May much
more interest be manifested in the good cause,
aud may it prove the Salvation of the souls of
thousands of our youth.
By Jas. K. Hancock. The Clearfield Re
publican, the hired organ of the late Adminis
tratiou deserves the contempt of every patri
otic aud loyal citizen,, lor the treasonable sen
tences w hich it weekly publishes calculated to
give aid and comfort to the Rebels in arms a
gainst the Government.
By Harry Hemphill. The Ladies the
counsoler of man's troubles ; ever smiling on
occasions like the present bewitching alike
with their smiles and their good things.
Long may they live, and uiauy an independence
day may they make happy with their presence
and good cheer.
By Isaiah Goodfellow. The day we cele
brate the day American Independence was
declared. May it ever be held in grateful re
membrance by the American people, and may
generations yet unborn revere it with the same
patriotic demoustrations that we have been
taught to do.
By W. M. M. The Hon. Joseph Holt of
Kentucky, Post master Geueral and Secreta
ry of war under James Buchanan's Adminis
tration may he live to realize the aspirations
of his heart, and may his children and grand
children repose under the banner of this glo
rious Union.
By Wm. P. Beck. Our citizen soldiery,
who so promptly responded to tho call of the
chief Executive to repel by force of arms tho
insult offered our flag, will ever be held in
gratefull remembrance by a loyal people.
By Jas. Norris. Jell Davis and his North
ern cohorts alike rebels and traitors to their
country. May they receive their just deserts
at the bands of the Law abiding acd Union
loving American citizens.
By Milton S. Lawhead. The "irrepressible
conflict" between liberty and despotism the
struggle will bo long and severe; "but the
harder the conflict the more glorious tho tri
umph." , By Wm. Carr. Our Brothers in the army
may they soon return from the war laden with
laurels, and ever after be permitted to live in
peace beneath their own Vine and Fig tree.
By Philo. The young Ladies may their
shadows never grow less ; and may their patri
otism be rewarded by the embraces of their
lovers when they return from the war.
By M.J. Carr. The Star Spangled Banner.'
May it wave in triumph over every city of the
South, and be acknowledged now as ever.
"The Flag of our country."
By W. M. M. The Traitor ho that sym
pathizes with the enemy of his Country, may
he have a short life, a happy death, and may
we have no more like him.
By A. G. Hoyt. The age of reason which
broke the chain of Ecclesiastical oppression
and proclaimed freedom of conscience to a
captive world.
By W. M- M. Our banner the stars and
stripes may it float in the atmosphere of
freedom, when every Traitor's head is laid in
the dust.
By A Member. Tho Liberty Hill Sunday
School. May it long remain an established
fact, and never cease to celebrate the fourth
ofJuly.
By John S. noyt. Let us learn to respect
all good men, whether living or dead, though
it pain many to speak the truth in regard to
them.
By B. F. Carr. May every man have an in
dependant home in this world, and a happy
home in the next.
By A Lover of man. May idleness and
hum buggery ceaso, and industry and virtue jog
gradually on.
By Home Stead. May the day come when
all men will live on the production of their
own Labor.
By A Republican. Our Union. May it be
preserved and the rebels and traitors anihi
lated. By Wm. Mincer. May Southern fannaticism
fall a victim to Northern Democracy.
By Observer. Our country's Redeemers,
Lincoln, Scott and the Union army.
Affer which the company dispersed all well
pleased with the part each had taken, aud with
tho proceedings of the day generally.
ADDRESS OF L. J. CRANS, ESQ.
DELIVERED AT PENXVILLE, JULY 4rH, 18G1.
Fellow Citizens : We commemorate a day
which we have been accustomed to celebrato
with ringing of bells, firing of cannons, bon
fires and other demonstrations of rejoicing
A day memorable in the annals of history, for
on it was born a nation founded on the sound
political axiom men are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights ; among
these are life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness; that to secure these rights, govern
ments are instituted among men deriving
their just powers from the consent ot the gov
erned. .
Fam would I dissipate every shadow of sad
ness banish aught which could mar the festiv
ities of the day, and in the merriest mood, bid
"On with the dance ; let joy be unconfined ;"
but I have observed the dark and threatening
cloud which overhangs the land, covering it
with a gloom which may be felt, and have no
ted the devotion to your country which has
crushed out or supplanted every other feeling
save a deep solicitude for the welfare of our
brethren and friends, who at the first call have
rushed forward to stay tho mad attempts of
those who would subvert the government, de
stroy the Constitution and the laws, and ren
der those traditions which have so often filled
our hearts with pleasurable emotions a re
proach. To day Is no day for hilarity, for
mirth, for frivolous amusements. The circum
stances surrounding us forbid it.
But a few months since the song of the rea
per was heard and our granaries wero filled to
overflowing. Our marts were crowded on
every side the clatter of wheels, the whirr of
machinery, the whistle of the engine, the
sound of the anvil and the ring of the axe,
made the air musical with evidences of well
directed industry. Money was abundant,
peace was in all our borders, and mens' hearts
were buoyant at the bright prospect for the
future, buddenly fear seized on us like a
strong man, business was paralized, the imple
ments of peace were cast aside and the stal
wart arm of labor was extended to receive
charity,
"And there wasniountinsin hot haste : tbe steed.
The mustering squadron, and the clattering car
1' . 2 i i :.l ,
cui uunug lortvuru wiui impetuous spceo.
And swiftly forming in the ranks of war;
And the deep thunder, peal on peal afar
And near, the beat of tbe alaiining drum
Housed up the soldier."
Why was.it 1 Had Albion forgotten tho les
sons of yore and sought to regain the colonies
wrested from her in '70, by the prowess of our
fathers ? No : but the seed which she had
sown in our midst had grown, producing f ruit
criminations, recriminations, distrust, ha
tred and their consequence, civil war. An is
sue far transcending in importance any of the
ephemeral issues of the day, because it involv
ed the integrity of the Union, had been forced
upon the American people. Our government
had shown itself strong for defence in its
struggles with Great Britian ; 'she had proven
herself competent to undertake a foreign or
aggressive war upon the blood-stained fields
of Mexico, and trusting that our people would
heed the parting advice of Washington, to re
gard the uuion of these states as the palladium
of their safety, we had hoped that she would
never be called upon to show herself proof a
gainst internal dissensions.
Tho doctrine, new and startling, that a State
has a right ot its own motion to secede from
this Union, has been broached more tho ac
tion of certain States has given the doctrine a
tangible form. If it is right, or if it can be
maintained by force of arms, then our Union
is dissolved, irrevocably our prestige gone
and our traditions and our glories, sources of
regret rather than of honest heart-felt pride.
Leaving the beaten path, to glance at this all
absorbing topic will, I trust, meet with your
approbation. If a State has the right to se
cede, then the government cannot properly
prevent any State exercising that right, but if
no such right exists, then secession is but an
other name for revolution. Revolution may
be peaceablo or violent, bloodless or sanguin
ary. Those who resort to revolution, do so
with the understanding that should tLe gov
ernment not tacitly acquiesce in their pro
posed change of government, they must sus
tain the position they have assumed by force
of arms, and in tbo event of failure, sutler the
penalties of treason. The right of revolution
exists in every community. Its exercise raay
be justified whenever a government becomes
subversive of the end for which it was estab
lished the preservation of the rights of raan
but light and transient causes are no justifi
cation. To deny this position is to assert that
our forefathers were wrong in declaring these
united colonies are, and of right ought to be
free and independent States ; to charge them
with needless and criminal effusion of blood,
and to admit that we are not entitled to the
liberties which we now enjoy.
Prior to the revolutionary war, the colonies,
though distinct political divisions, deriving
rights through different charters, were integral
parts of the British dominion, and to all in
tents and purposes, one community. Their
contiguity ; their similarity of language, cus
toms and laws ; their intercourse and trade
drew them together. They tvere separated
only by imaginary lines, which served to mark
the limits of the respective colonial jurisdic
tions. Their wrongs, and their acknowledged
inability to redress thern singly, only strength
ened tbe interest which each colony felt in the
others, and brought about their political union,
which was followed by the recognition of their
independence by the mother country. The
colonies could have formed a league offensive
and defensive ; they could have lodged their
respective sovereignties in a new government,
or each could have refused to enter into any
alliance. The representatives of the several
colonies, wishing to unite the wealth, strength
and councils of the whole, so that they might
bid defiance to external violence and inter
nal dissensions, and secure public credit,
both at home and abroad, agreed to cer
tain articles of Confederation and perpet
ual Union. In the circular letter which
they transmitted to their constituents, a-
long with the articles, urging, their adoption,
they said "Let them be carefully reviewed
under the sense of the difficulty of combining
in one general system, the various sentiments
and interests of ' a continent divided into so
many sovereign and independent communities;
under a conviction of the absolute necessity
of uniting all our councils, and all our
strength to maintain and defend our common
liberties let them be examined with tbe lib
erality becomraing brethren and fellow citizens
surrounded by tbe same imaaiuet dangers, con
tend ins for the same illustrious Drize. and
deeply interested in being forever bound and
connected together by ties the most Intimate
ana indissoluble. The articles of Confedera
tion being a firm league of friendshin with
each other for their common defence, the se
curity of their liberties and their mutual and
general welfare, binding them selves to assist
each other against all force oflered to, or at
tack made upon them or any of them on ac
count or religion, sovereignty, trade.or any pre
tence whatever, were adopted by the respec
live States. Each state expressly reserved
its sovereignty, freedom and independence,
ana every power, jurisdiction and right which
was not by the Confederation expressly dele
gated to the United States in Congress assem
bled. The government, if so it can be called,
was merely a Congress of the Slates. Tbe
powers of the Congress were limited, but the
compact which conferred those powers, con
tained the provision that the articles of Con
federation shall inviolably be observed by ev
ery btate, and the Union shall be perpetual;
nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter
he made in any of them, unless such alteration
be agreed to in the Congress of the United
Mates, and be afterwards confirmed by the
legislature of every State.
The insufficiency of the powers confered on
Congress ; the necessity for providing for tho
public debt created by the war, and the em
barrassments and difficulties growing out of the
regulation of trade, resulted in a meeting of
Commissioners, at the instance of tbe Gener
al Assembly of Virginia, to consider the best
means of remedying the defects of the 1 eder
al Government. Congress promptly took ac
tion, and under its authority a convention of
delegates, lor the sole and express purpose of
revising the articles of Confederation, met on
the 2nd Monday of May 1787. The manner in
which that convention, composed of the most
eminent and patriotic men of the day, per
formed its work is shown by the Constitution
of the United States, which they after careful
and mature deliberation, framed and present
ed to Congress. The views of the delegates
may be gleaned from the discussions during
their protracted session, and are embodied in
tho letter addressed by the convention,
through their President, George Washington,
to the President of Congress. I quote its lan
guage. "The friends of our country have
long seen and desired, that tbe power of making
war, peace, and treaties ; that of levying mon
ey aud regulating commerce, and the corres
pondent executive and judicial authorities,
should be fully and effectually vested in tho
general government of the Union ; but tbe
impropriety of delegating such extensive
trusts to one body ol men, is evident, hence
results the necessity of a different . organiza
tion. -It is obviously .jnipracticabla in , the
federal government of these States to secure
all rights of independent sovereignty to
each, and yet provide for the interest and
safety of all. Individuals entering into socie
ty must give up a share of liberty to preserve
the rest. The magnitude of tbe sacrifice
must depend, as well on situation and cir
cumstance, as on the objects to be obtained.
It is at all times difficult to draw with precis
ian the line between those rights which must
be surrendered, and those which may be re
served ; aud on tbe present occasion, this dif
ficulty was increased by a diffetence among
the several States as to their situation, extent,
habits and paticular interests. In all our de
liberations on this subject, we kept steadily
in our view, that which appears to us the
greatest interest of every true American, the
consolidation of our Union, in which is involved
our prosperity, felicity, safety, and perhaps
pur national existence. This important con
sideration, seriously and deeply impressed on
our minds, led each state in the convention to
be less rigid on points of inferior magnitude,
than might have been otherwise expected ;
and thus the constitution, which we now pre
sent, is the result of a spirit of amity and of
that mutual deflerence and concession which
the peculiarity of our political situation ren
dered indispensable."
No one can contrast the articles of Confed
eration with the original Constitution of the
United States without arriving at the conclu
sion that the adoption of tbe Constitution was
for the express purpose of consolidating tbe
Union ; that is, out of several free, indepen
dent and sovereign States, to create one free,
independent and sovereign Power. The Ar
ticles of Confederation were merely a league
of firm friendshin the Constitution, the ba
sis of a new government. - By the former, cer
tain limited powers were conferred on Con
gress under the latter, -the legislative, judi
cial, and executive powers, attributes of sov
ereignty, were lodged in the three co-ordinate
branches of the new government. The one
professed to be an agreement between the dele
gates of the respective States the other to
emanate from, aud be ordained and established
by, the people ot the United States. The Ar
ticles of Confederation were intended to cre
ate a perpetual Union the Constitution to
form a more perfect Union. In the first com
pact, each State expressly reserved its sover
eignty, freedom and independence. In tho
second, the sovereignty of the different States
was merged in that of the general Govern
ment. No right was reserved but by impli
cation until by an amendment to the Con
stitution it was afterwards declared that the
powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the
States, are reserved to the States respectively,
or to the people. If such a contrast should
leave a doubt on the mind of any one that the
general government operates directly on per
sons and things in the respective States, and
in such States tbe Constitution and laws in
pursuance thereof constitute the Supreme law
of the land, which cannot be altered or an
nulled at the will of tbe States individually, 1
would refer him to tho history of the times
immediately preceeding the adoption of the
Constitution, and to the speeches and writings
of Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Monroe,
Jefferson and other eminent men who assisted
in framing or securing the adoption of
that instrument, and who expounded it or com
mented thereon. At the time nullification,
eldest born but least mischievous of .the here
sies of South Carolina, was disturbing the
peace, James Madison wrote "I know not
whence the idea could proceed that I concur
red in the doctrine that although a State could
not nullify a law of the Union, it bad a right
to secede from the Union. Both spring from
tbe same poisonous root." .Time would not
permit, nor have I tbe inclination to quote,
any moro of the scores of passages equally as
pointed aa tois which abound in the writings
of the fathers of the republic. Until some
proof or the existence of a right is produced,
we may presume that there is no such right.
The doctrine that a State has a right to se
cede is derived from the belief that the States
respectively have not relinquished their sov
ereignty, but have only entered into an offen
sive and defensive alliance. In other words,
that the general government is no government,
and it, like a garment used for protection, may
be put off or on at option. Admit this for sake
of argument, and see where it leads us. Ad
mit the respective States to be sovereign, and
(for such is tbe meaning of the term,) each is
possessed of uncontrollable power knows no
superior cannot be called to account, and
without let or hindrance can alter its present
form of goveinment and establishing in lien
such as it pleases, be it a monarchy .military dic
tatorship, or I care not what. You may object
that the State Constitutions would forbid such
a change, and I answer, those Constitutions
provide for amendments, but should they not,
revolutions destroy Constitutions. What then
becomes of that part of our bond of union
whereby the United States guarantees to every
State in the Union a republican form of gov
ernment 1 Though every citizen ot such a
State, save one, should desire such a change,
that one alone, could absolve us from this
Constitutional obligation. You are aware that
the Constitution provides for reciprocity of
citizenship, and guarantees to you and me and
every citizen wherever we may cast our lot in
this broad land, the priviileges and immunities
of the several States. If you admit btate sov
ereignty yon practically ignore this right and
acknowledge secession, proper.
The right of secession is not countenanced
by the Constitution either by express language
or by implication, but is negatived by the
terms of that instrument. Secession is revo
lution. Those States who have passed acts
declaring their allegiance to the general gov
ernment absolved, have placed themselves in
a hostile attitude, and by throwing down the
gauntlet, have assumed the responsibility of
inaugurating civil war. I shall not attempt to
discuss tho question whether the seceded
States have endured wrongs through the ac
tion of the Federal or State Governments, for
our courts, where wrongs are redressed, are
open to all, and. the highest judicial tribunals
in the land have most unequivocally recogni
zed their broadest claim of right, but assume
the position that in a government like ours,
where the right of expatriation is recognized ;
where the people can, at fixed and short peri
ods hange those who have the direction ot af
fairs ; where they rule, and their will, controll
ed only by the Constitution is the law ; where
the Constitution provides a way by which it
can be altered or amended, and where the dif
ferent branches of government act as checks on
each other, and keep each within the limits
prescribed by the fundamental law, there can be
no good, substantial, solid reason given for
revolution until tbe powers that be, usurp au
thority, disregard the laws, override the bar
riers of the Constitution, and render the Gov
ernment destructive of the ends for which it
was instituted, which are declared to be to es
tablish justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote the
generalvelfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
The government has a right, aye ! it is its
duty to protect itself and to use all its legiti
mate powers in preventing its annihilation.
It is the duty of every citizen, not merely by
passive obedience to the laws, but by active
co-operation, if necessary, to aid the Govern
ment in so laudable an undertaking. The man
who actively engages in subverting the Con
stitutional authorities may plead as an excuse
for his conduct the belief that sufficient cause
existed, but he is no more guilty than he who
throws obstacles in the way ot the Govern
ment and attempts to thwart its legitimate de
signs. In our present distracted and unhappy
state of nflairs, there can be no neutral
ground. When tho batteries of Charleston
opened upon Fort Sumter a cry went through
out tbe land like the voice of Joshua to the
tribes at Shechem "Choose you this day
whom ye will serve." We have answered in
tones which cannot be misunderstood, that
our best emotions cluster round our country,
her flag, her traditions and her glory ; that
our government Is founded on the affections
of the people, and must and shall be preserved.
We have sent forth an army prompted neither
by a feeling ot revenge, rivalry or ambition,
but a stern sense of duty; who would rather
embrace, than surround and conquer ; protect,
than destroy ; forgive, than punish ; but who
liave sworn upon the altar of their country, if
need be, without stint, to the last drop their
blood shall be poured out in defence of the
Union, its Constitution and its laws.
The persecutions encountered for opinion
sake ; the sundering of domestic ties and
hardships endured in reclaiming the wilds of
America, the wrongs suffered, and the blood
and treasure poured out during the Revolu
tionary struggle, summed up may approximate
to the cost of this Union ; but who can esti
mate its value 1 To the material progress we
have made during tho last 85 years ; freedom
of speech ; freedom of the press ; religious tol
eration ; the happiness and property we have
enjoyed, add the hope and ardor we have in
spired in the breasts of the down trodden of
other nations, tbe ameliorations wrested from,
or granted by other governments prompted by
our example and in future ages, when all gov
ernments shall recognize that man is capable
of, and self-government is his right, when gov
ernments shall derive their just powers fiom
the consent of the governed, add the innumer
able blessings which shall have flown from re
publican government, and you will know its
value. It is worth preserving; fighting for;
dying for. Whilst there is yet hope for the
Republic, let the memories of the past in
crease our love for the government framed by
our fathers ; let us this day renew our oath of
fealty, and swear, God will'iDg, that the blood
bought legacy shall be transmitted from sire
to son, and with one heart and one mind, let
our prayer ascend to Him, who ruleth the des
tiny of nations, that tho violence of passion
may be stayed, peace and fraternal love be re
stored, and our country remain an assylum for
the oppressed, its government a beacon light
to tbe world. -
Major.General McCall has issued an order
that each oft the fifteen regiments of the re
serve , corps' of Pennsylvania Volunteers be
raised to the minimum army standard 1,046,
officers and men. A force of nearly 4,000
men will thus be added to this already large
effective corps. , , . .' .
THE JOTJIIXAT..
SUMMARY OF WAR NEWS
. The Washington Star states that Taylor,
who came hither under a flag of truce on the
8th, says that his business was disposed of at
the White house in a very few minutes, for in
that time he was sent back to Gen. Scott with
one letter less than he bore on hi? person on
entering the Union lines, the President not
deeming the communicition he brought such
as required him to enter into any correspon
dence whatever with Mr. Jefferson Davis. Mr.
Taylor was next immediately faced in the di
rection from which he came, and marched
back to Gen. McDowell's headquarters, where
though courteously and kindly treated, he was
kept under strict guard until an early hour
next morning, when he was escorted back to
the confederate lines and turned loose to find
his way back to Beauregard, without having
accomplished what was evidently a main
point to bo attained by bis mission, namely, to
communicate with traitors in our midst, who
had doubtless been prepared to send to Beau
reguard, through him, immportant informa
tion concerning the alleged contemplated
movement ot Gen. M'Dowell's army upon the
Confederate lines. The Star futher says, that
although the President has communicated the
contents of the letter from Davis brought by
Taylor to none besides his constitutional ad
visers and Gen. Scott, from certain signs we
are able to assure the public that it amounted
to nothing of any earthly importance on tho
present crisis. On the 10th, the dispatches
brought by Major Taylor continued to excite
inquiry and comment. The administration is
evidently trying the experiment of keeping
their purport a profound secret. This much,
however, is prolessed to be discovered, name
ly, that if tbe contents of them were officially
regard, Washington would virtually be sur
rendered to the Confederates.
On the 8th, Lieutenant Carmichael, of Pro
vost Marshal Kenly's police, went down the
river from Baltimore in a tug and boarded the
steamer Mary Washington, to arrest a man
named Neill Green, who was charged with be
ing engaged in the riot on the 19th of April,
and who it was thought, would come on board
at the Patuxent. On coming up the river he
ascertained that Captain Thomas, of St. Ma
ry's county, who took command of the St.
Nicholas and headed the pirates on the occa
sion of the capture, was also on board with
seven of his confederates, their supposed ob
ject being to seize another 6teamer m tho
same manner. Carmichael, on arriving a
brcast of Fort McIIenry, ordered the captain
to stop at the wharf, where he made known
the facts to Gen. Banks, who ordered a com
pany of Massachusetts troops to arrest all on
board. Seven of the pirates were found, but
Capt. Thomas had concealed himself. Alter
an hours search he was found in a lanre bu
reau drawer in the ladies' caMn. It will Ins
remembered that he went aboard the St. Nich
olas disguised as a French lady. All these
parties were detained at the fort, with several
witnesses who were on board the steamer at
the time of her seizure, including her captain
and engineer.
A despatch from Martinsburg on the night
of the 9th says : Two deserters from Johnson's
camp came in yesterday, and estimate John
son's force at that point at 15.000 men, with
twenty-two pieces of cannon. Reliable infor
mation has since been received that Johnson
has since been reinforced from Manassas Junc
tion with five regiments and one piece of can
non. The Fifteenth Pennsylvania pickets
took five horses and three rebel troopers this
afternoon. Four of our own pickets have been
captured yesterday and to-day, whilst march
ing beyond the lines for water and Virginia
hot corn bread. We have a rumor here this
evening, and it was received with great enthu
siasm, that Gen. McClellan has routed ex-Governor
Wise at Buckhannon and Laurel Hill.
Reinforcements are now approaching up from
Williamsport, which will give us an available
force of 20,000 fighting men to move forward
with, and a forward movement may be expec
ted within twenty-four hours. Our men are
all grumbling with impatience and eager to
move on ; but it is believed that Johnson will
fall back to Winchester, and it is there tho
battle will be fought.
As the right section of the Second Rhode
Island battery was drilling on the grounds near
the encampment of the Mozart Regiment, of
New York, on the 'Jth, the cartridges in tho
limber chest of gun No. 2 exploded, killing
Corporal N. J. Morse, Jr., and private E. R.
Freeman, and slightly wounding privates Rich
ard Thornley and Edward E. Weeks. Tho re
mains of the dead will be sent to Providence
this afternoon. The cause of the fgniting of
the cartridges is unknown. A report prevails
that it was in consequeuce of the explosion of
a shell, but this is disproved by the examina
tion of several gentlemen acquainted with py
rotechnics, and no fragments being found.
Their theory is that tho explosion was caused
by the agsncy of friction matches, thrown into
the limber chest by some enemy, or dropped
into or near it by carelessness.
G. W. Coffin. Superintendent of Indian Af- -fairs
in the Indian Territory west of Arkansas
arrived at Leav.n worth, on the 0th from that
section. He was not able to penetrate thn
country but about 115 miles, being threatened
with capture by the secessionists. His pre
decessor, Col. Rector, claims to bold the of
fice by virtue of a commission from- the Con
federate States. Since the evacuation of the
forts by the federal troops, tbe Secessionists
have gained control of affairs in the Territory,
and have confiscated the money and provis
ions intended for the Indians. The Conven
tion of Indians called by Governor Hayes, of
the Chichasaw Nation, was held on the 24th of
June, but broke up in a row.
Last night two men deserted from the Con-?
federates. They belonged to the gunboat Tea
ser, which guards James river from Richmond
to tbe vicinity of Newport News. While she
was at anchor last night, the men escaped with
tbo yawl and this morning were picked up by
the Monticello. A small boat pursued them
from tho shore, but put back on the appear
ance of the Monticello. The men belong in
New York and Baltimore and report that they
were impressed into the Confederate service.
They say there are only 2000 troops in Rich
mond, and the same number posted below.
On James river, the situation they eay, of the
rebels is desperate.
It asserted on good authority that General
Scott positively proposes to cross over into
Virginia, and be present at the thrashing a
bout to be administered to the rebels at Ma
nassas Junction. His body-guard are now be
ing selected, . . -.