Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1851-10-31

and proclaim the ONeETliliis' S0ptOhIV ohH F"'~
mount authority OF the constitution, laws ana
treaties of the United States.
It is clear therefore, that no State can do
anything repugnant to the constitution, laws ana
treaties of the United States. What It might
do, if it were in possession OF all It's absolute
sovereignty, and had never entered into this
Union. is different question. But if we sup
nose, contrary TO the historical fact, that the
States were absolutely sovereign when the eX-
isting constitution was adopted, could they CIR
cumscribe and contract their attributes OF SOW
ereignty by the stipulatIons and provisions
which are contained in it All history Is full oil
examples of the total annlhllatIon OF sovereignty
or nationality, oftener by the power OF the sword
and conquest but sometimes by the voluntary
act of one nation merging itself into another, OF
which we have a striking instance in the case of
Texas, in our own country.
Assuming that the constitution is q mere COM
pact between independent nations, or sovereign
States, they are, nevertheless, bound by all the
obligations which the compact creates. They
are bound to abstain from all forbidden acts,
and to submit to the supremacy of the consttu-
ton and laws of the United States. But, it will
be asked have they not also the right to judge OF
the fidelity with which the common government
! has Judged of the common compact? Yes,
most certainly. They have that right, and SO
has every citizen of the United States, and so
| has the general government also. The alleged
violation of the constitution must be exposed and
denounced by all the weapons oil reason, OF ar
| gument, and Of ridicule, By remonstrance, pro-
test, appeals to the judiciary, and to the other
States by the press, public opinion and all ie-
| gitmate means of persuading or influencing It.
| If, after the employment of all or any of these
! peaceful methods, the government of the United
States, sustained by constitutional majority of
| the nation, persist in retaining the obnoxious
law, there is no alternative but obedience to the
| law, on the part Of the minority, or open, un-
disguised, manly and forcible resistance TO its
execution.
Mr.. Clay then says that the right of Sc
cession is sometimes contounded with rev.
olution, and enters into an argument, show
ing the difference between them.
Concerning the remedy that should be
applied in case of an attempt TO dissolve
the Union, Mr.. Clay speaks very clearly
in the following passages
But suppose we should be disappointed, and
that the standard should be raised of open
sistance to the Union, the constitution and the
laws what is to be done: There can be but one
possible answer. The power the authority and
| dignity of the government ought to be main
tanned, and resistance put down at every hazard
Government, in the fallen and depraved state of
man, would lose all respect and fall into dis
grace and contempt, if it did not possess poten-
tally and would Hot, in extreme cases, practi-
cally exercise the right of employing force.
The theory Of the constitution Of the United
States assumes the necessity of the existence
and the application of force both in our for
eign and domestic relations. Congress is
preSsly authorized 50 to raise and support ar
mics - "to provide and maintain a navy" and
g to provide for calling forth the militia to
cute the laws of the Union, suppress nsur-
rectons and repel inyasions." The duty Of ex-
ecuting the laws and suppressing instructions
is without limitation or qualification; it is CO.
extensive with the jurisdiction of the United
States, and ii comprehends every species of re-
| sistance to the execution of the laws, and
every form of insurrection, no matter under
| what auspices or sanction it is made.
Individuals, public meetings, States, may re-
! solve, as often as their tastes passions may
| prompt them to resolve, that they will forcibly
! oppose the execution of the laws, and secede
| from the Union. Whilst these resolutions re-
main on paper, they are harmless; but the mo-
ment daring hand is raised to resist, by force,
the execution of the laws, the duty of enforcing
them arises and if the conflict which may ensue
should lead TO civil war, the resisting party,
having begun it, will be responsible for all the
consequences.
The following is the closing paragraph
of the letter:
In conclusion gentlemen, let us enjoy the
| proud consolation afforded by the conviction
| that vast majority Of the people of the United
States, true to their forefathers, true to them
selves, and true 10 posterity, are firmly and i'm
movably attached to this Union; that they see
in it safe and sure, if not the sole, guaranty of
| liberty, Of internal peace, of prosperity, and Of
national happiness, progress, and greatness;
| that its dissolution would be followed by endless
wars among ourselves, by the temptation or in
! vtation TO foreign powers to take part in them,
and finally, by foreign subjugaton, or the estab-
| lishment Of despotism and that 4" united We
! stand-diyided we fall''