The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-03-12
DIsUNIoN.

DISUNION. d, X. r |
In all the discussions which may arise upon
the political questions Of the day, (says the
Memphis Eagle and Enquirer) we shall
steadily keep in view that which appears to
us the grentest interest Of every true Ameri-
can--the consolidation Of our Union, in
which is involved our prosperity, felicity,
snfety, and, we firmly believe, our national
existence. Without union Of the States
there can be neither prosperity nor safety of
the States. Here is the law propounded by |
Americas greatest statesman, which we fully
recognize and endorse. hsf -
/. That the Constitution of the United
States is not a league, confederncy, or COM
pact between the people of the several States
in their sovereign capacities, but a government
proper, founded on the adoption of the peo-
Pile, and creating direct relations between 1t.
self and individuals.
2. That no State has power to dissolve
these relations; that nothing can dissolve
them but revolution, and that, consequently
there can be no such thing as secession with
out revolution.
8. That there is supreme law, consisting
| of the Constitution of the United States, and
acts of Congress passed in pursuance of it,
and treaties; and that in cases not capable Of
assuming The character Of suit in law or
equity Congress must judge of and finally
interpret, this supreme law so often as it has
occasion to pass acts Of legislation; and in
cases capable of assuming, and actually as
suming, the character of suit, the Supreme
Court of the United States is the final inter.
prefer.
a. That an attempt by State to abrogate,
annul, or nullify an act of Congress, or to ar
rest its operation within her limits, on the
ground that, in her opinion, such law is un.
constitutional, is direct usurpation on the
just powers of the General Government, and
he equal rights of the States; n plain
viVlation Of the Constitution, and proceed.
ing eminently revolutionary in its character
: aud tendency.
, The opponents Of these principles are the
! enemies of oil free government, for upon
them hinge our State and national institu-
. tions. These are the principles Of Unionists
: North and South, and to depart from them i.
to weaken the bonds which hold US together
GOVERNOR WALKER ON LECoMrToN.-Tht
rumored change of opinion on the part o
. : Governor Walker in relation to the Lecomp
ton Constitution is refuted by n long lette
he addressed to the anti.Lecompton Demo
cratic meeting held at indianapolis on Tues
day last. ltarrived too late to be read to tn
> meeting, but made its appearance in print, il
the Indianapolis Journal. 1t is long, stren
aud bitter, and disposes OF the rumors tina
d he had become reconciled to the President
>, and was faltering from the defiant positio
! that he was understood to occupy som
i weeks since. He says of the pledges to Sc
fair play, md have the Lecompton Constitu
) ton submitted as whole to the whole pee
= pie Of Kansas, that the President and all hi
a cabinet well knew of them at the time the
IS were made, and that any abandonment G
them on his part, after the people had accep
+ ed them and acted upon them, would cove
s- him with infamy and dishonor, and that the
Is shall be redeemed by him if necessary to tn
y latest hour of his existence, even to the shet
:" ding of the last drop of his blood. He says
ID "Whatever may be the action of wavering, Ii
timid or corrupt, menaces and proscriptio
n have no terror for me-" Toward the clio,
ID of the letter he says: ....
t. "Is this the s2d year Of our Independence
d or is it the first year of American Monarch
a that is now dawning upon US! Let the Pc,
ple-let the masses composing the true ID,
mocracy, arouse from their slumbers. l.
re them break the chains which would fett
ID their free thought and opinion, and asse
o. their blood bought rights, and especially Il
great indefeasible sovereign right of sci
:, government We have fallen upon evil time
q. The liberties Of the country are in DANGER
I'd Let the people in every town, county M
D. State rise in their majesty to the rescue"