Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-11-30

They hw-sbiding people, equally 50 at kast with
any In the country Nowhere 10 Il administered with more
6mness and strict regard to justice. Is il from that
quarter faithful to the laws that to hear threats AZ
disregard for it-theats, told not unaccompao
ed by positive of preparation for actual resistance
Now, the power oegisIate this peculiar subject ex
ciusvely in Congress- It's powr was exercised after
the constitution formed and invoked authorized the
agency of State officers for the purpose Of accepaby
in each jurisdiction executing the law. When this agency
OF State officers prohibited by the State ITSELF and that
which yesterday duty became to day crime or mis-
demeano with penalties affixed, further legislation became in
cumbent the naoa. Then, and not till then then
Immediately Congress passed the law which has convused
the country. Passed not without difficulty and mutual
concession and orbearance 1t is the law Of the land
acted BY that principle of majority without which republic
can Government cannot for moment stand enacted
doubleday according to the constitution. and already judi
cay pronounced Every department OF the Government
mas given solemn sanction and 1t is Arm the
lasting bills, in present title the respect obedience and
loyal support Of every American citizen None who deserve
| the name will dare to violate it.
Perhaps law Of any length was ever passed that in all
Its details met the exact of the whole body that
II or even OF that portion of the body that voted for
law Is often complex. Sometimes it gives and takes,
eniarges and resains, enacs and qualities mixes poviso
with grant and exception with rule. No one hand at all
times prepares it and perhaps head gives full assent
or able to say that might be agreeable if other
wise worded and conceived. What then Can he disobey
with impunity disregard it without dsoyay Scarcely
an important law passed that did for while
cite surpsoiien requiring the confirmation of the judic-
ay always the reflection of the citizen. Still 10 the law
and In Its sovereignty II must be obeyed. [Applause.
Let this disobedence from what quarter il may il is
to be condemned II appear in the shape Of suen and
silent dsconten Withholding express assent and yet without
practical reputation and only short let bad taste and bad
feeling reconcile themselves they may If it proceed to
active hostility, which opposition by force of arms must
be put down and punished with traitors doom. Applause
Is treason, In the cautious description of that crime found
in the constitution If active disobedence involves an effort
and combustion only illustrate the execution Of the
particular statute but to uproo the foundations the Gov
eminent to set torch to the fair frame the whole System
which all live and prospe cancel and pieces
the great bond which keeps in happiness together the
baseness which deserved contempt wes with the sorrow Of
positive crime into the gnobe dignity that undergo con-
dgn punishment and in addition to the present suffering of
the culpt, universal execra0n overwhems the parrcde
who riots n the spos Of his parent country, and consgns
him to the perdon Of everlasting nfamy brands him
with the reproaches Of indeibe shame. [Grea applause
Let dsunonss beware how they thus trampe the laws.
fearful agony must be the country they carry their
plans. Havoc and ruin would overrun the land War; in
s worst forms, would rage amidst hitherto peaceful fields
and end asunder the seated hills of every section and the
rich valleys teeming with fertility and productiveness
would become richer, perhaps remain faow anured with
the bodies OF the san Poughshaes would be turned
swords and pruning hooks into spears All the pursuits of
industry would be absorbed in the intestine trade Of
What s the supposed panacea for all imaginary ills Dis
union and secession rather would SEEM one Of the
sovereign and heroic remedies presented with the other
alternative form-dsuniou by general consent which will
never be given until the contagon Of Madness which yet
only sporadic nfmiy, shall become epidemic through the
land Secession, which is self acting relief upon
the responsibility Of those who perform it. It avowed be
in contemplation, and it threatened along with focewh
This opposition by force Of the United States in other
words, levyiDg against the United States is treason
No warrant for secession be found in the constitution
There is no warrant for in the ordinary frame Of Govern
ment They who dissatisfied may depart whenever they
will They may find country where they can but
they must not take any part Of the country along with hem
which they now hold in common with many Those
who uphold this doctrine are especially defenders Of the rights
mnorties What do they propose to do with these
suPPosing they minority, who attached to the Union,
are desirous Of remaining in the fold Must they be forced
to commit treason too! ~ '',
II Is difficult to understand what is the thing complained Of
You read with unweaied essays and speeches. full
Of complaint and anger and threat and intercourse and
secession bot why or wherefore The fanatica folly Of
lew domestic or foreign aboionists is not surely the motive
for cutting off fifteen millions Of people, What the motve
Turn to the speech Of Mr. Calhoun delivered in the Senate
on the 4th Of March, The complaint resolves itself mainly
into the dsPropooned growth Of the North, and thus de-
strucon in the supposed equilibrium with which the Union
began What there Of equilibrium in the provisions Of the
constitution Nothing, literally nothing Hence the argu
ment Of ingenious man is compeedto seek refuge, not in
remedy under the constitution, which is the usual cry, but
in change Of the constitution To this the is easy.
The constitution provides mode for amending it. Let that
method be adopted and if it be reasonable request will
be listened to if be not every motive Of patriotism, every
dictate Of every Of propey requires that it
Col PAGE being called for, then. rose and said:
Fellow-Citizens As one of the originators of the
call under which you assembled, am here to-
night to lend effect to the objects Of this meeting, as
far my humble abilities will permit me to do So much
has been sad and eoquen and truly sad the mat
ter under particular cognzance tonight hat were to
attempt to elaborate upon any point that has been
sened you should prove tesome, since the novelty has
gone, and the force Of the remarks would be lost
will however, claim your attention for very few minutes
thought did others who agreed with me in this matter,
that there peril impending national affairs
think still and, thinking, should have lacked the feel
ing and the impulse Of American if had not come to the
perform small part in the work Of preserving the
peace Of the country thought that there was platform
upon which we could all assemble and that the Of Whg
of Democrat and Native would for the present time be laid
aside, and we would stand upon it Americans and
brothers. That platform has been presented to you in the
manner have attempted describe, and you have warmly
and fervently responded it. We here for party
purposes party Objects but for the great cause Of the union
Of our country.
am an American, every part and parcel Of am,
flesh and blood, bone and sinew American While talkto
American citizens and fellow men, at liberty to express my
sentiments have utter abhorrence for foreign country
endeavorng interfere between and my countrymen.
[Applause We competent to mind affairs, and
the way manage them home and mind our
own business If Of US of the North do that
our brethren the South would have nothing complain Of
The performances of that duty your part is let them