Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-01-10


principle that no portion Of the United States
shnll undertake, through assumption Of The
powers Of The general government, TO dictate
The social Institutions OF any other porlien.
The scope and fleet OF The Language OF re
peafwere not lei, IN doubt. Il was declared
ia terms, 10 be the true intent mean
ing Of This set net 10 l~egisiate slavery
i1lo any T. rTilory or State, ncr 10 exclude IL
thereirom, butio leave The people thereof per-
fect!y free 10 form and regulate their domestic
institution Of The United Slnies."
The measure could not be withsiood unoR
its merits alone. It was attacked with Nio-
lenee, on the false or decisive pretext, that
II constituted a breach of faith. Never was
objection more utterly destitute of snbslan-
tial Justification. When, before, ives it i'm
agiHed by sensible men, that q 'regnlative or
declaiative statute, whether enncted len or
forty years ago, is irrepealable. -thnt an act
o. Congress is above the constitution
IL indeed, there were IN The facts any cause
10 impule bac Faith, il would sliach 10 those
only who have never ceased, from the time
Ollie enactment Of the restrictive provision
10 he present day. to denounce and to con-
deni il; who have constantly refused TO COM
pfeie il by needful supplementary legislation;
who have spared no e~xeftion TO deprive it OF
moral force; who have themselves again and
again attempted its repeal by the enactment
of Incompatible provisions; and who, by the
inevitable Teactionary effect OF their wi vio.
lence on the subject, awakened the country
10 perception OF the unconstitutional princi-
pie, of leaving the matter involved 10 the dis.
%cretioa OF the people Of the respective exist
ing OF incipicnt States. --
Its not pretended ihst this principle, or
any other. precludes The possibility OF evils in
practice, disluthedas political action is liable
10 be, by human passions. No form Of gov.
eminent is exempt from inconveniences; but
in this case they are the result OF The ,bnse,
and not Of the legima:e exercise of The powers
reserved or conferred 10 the ORGANIZATION Of a
Territory. They are not 10 be CHARGED 10 the
great principle Of popular sovereignty: on the
contrary, they disappear before the intelli.
gence and patriotism OF the people, e~xerting
through the ballot-box their peaceful aud 81
lent, but irresistible power.
1.-THE friends OF The constitution are 10 have
mother struggle. its enemies conld not present
a more acceptable issue, than that Of a Siate,
whose constitution clearly embraces ga repub-
lican form Of government" being excluded
from the Union because lis domestic inSlitu-
lions may not in all respects comport with the
IDEAS Of what is wise and eypedisnt entertain.
ed in som other State. Fresh from ground.
less impltstions OF breach OF faith against
others, men will commence the agitation Of
this new question with indubiiable violation Of
an express compact between the independent
sovereign powers Of the United States and Of
The Repablic ofTexas, as we'll as of the older
and equally solemn compacis, which assure
The equality Of all the States.
But, deplorable as would be such a viola
ton Of compact in ITSELF and in oil its direct
consequences, that isthe very least of The evils
involved. When sectional nriia; ors shall have
succeeded in forcing on this issue. can their
pIelensions fail 10 be met by counter pIetep.
sions? Will not different States be compelled
respectively to meet extremes with extremes?
And, iftiker exile me carry lis point, what is
that so far forth bnt dissolution of the Union!
II . new Stale, formed from The territory of the
United States, be absolutely excluded from adj
m,SGon therein, Il at fact of itsoi If constitutes
The disruption Of union between il md lae
other States. But the process Of dissolution
could not stop there. Would not a sectional
decision, producing such q result by a majority
Of votrs, either northerD or southern, of neces-
Sity drive out the oppressed aud aggrieyei mi
noTi!y, ard place in presence OF each other
two ifrecOncileably b stiIe colfederationsi
II is necessary 10 speak thus plainly Of pro
j.c'S, the Of. psing OF that sectional agitation
Dow prevailing in some OF The SUITES, which
are as improcticable os they are unconslitu
tiona,, and which, If perseyered in, must and
will entl calsmil0usly. II is either disunion
aud civil war, or tits mere angry. idle, aimless
disturbance, Of public peace and tranquility.
Disunion for what? II he passionate rare OF
fanaiisism and partisan spirit did not force the
fact upon our attention, il would be difficult
10 believe thu, any considerable portion OF the
people OF this enlightened country could have
so surrendered themselves 10 o fanaticai devo.
lion 10 the supposed interests Of the relatively
few Africans la The United States, as ioislly
10 abandon and disregard the interests of the
twenly Eve millions Of Americans,-t0 tran.
pie under foot The injunetions OF moral and
constitutional obllgation,-and 10 engage in
plans of yindictive hostility against those who
are associated with them in the enjoyment of
The common heritage OF our national institu.
lions.
Nor Is il hostility against their fellow citi.
-zens of one section Of the Union alone. The
interests, The honor, the duty, the peace, aud
the prosperity ofthe people ofall sections nre
equally involved and lmperilied in this ques-
ton. Aud are patriotic men IN any part ofthe
Union prepared, on such an issue, thus madly
TO invite all the consequences ofthe forfeiture
Of their constitutional engagements? II is i'm
possible. The storm OF phrensy md faction
must mevitab y dash itself in vain against The
mistaken rock of the constitution. | shall
never doub: it,.
I know that the Union is stronger thousand
times than all the wild and cbimerical schemes
Of social change. which are generated, one
after another, in the unstable minds OF Wis ion.
airy sophists and interested agitators. rely
confidently on the patriotism OF the people,
ON the dignity aud seif-Iespect of The States,
on The wisdom Of Congress, snd above all, on
The continued gracious favor Of Almighty God,
10 maintain against all enemies, whether at
home or abroad, the sancilty of the Consti.u
ton and the integrity Of the Union.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WASHINGTON, December 81, 1855.
No DoUBT OF lr.-H Won would be dressed