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


the political questions of the day, (says the
Memphis Eagle and Enquirer,) we shall
steadily keep in view that which appears to
US the greatest interest of every true Ameri-
can-the consolidation Of our Union, in
which is involved our prosperity, felicity,
safety, and, we firmly believe, our national
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.
/. That the Constitution of the United
States is not league, confederacy, 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-
pie, and creating direct relations between it.
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 a 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 a suit, the Supreme
Court of the United States is the final inter.
prefer.
a. That an attempt by State to abrogate,
annu, or nulify 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
on the equal rights Of the States; plain
violation of the Constitution, and proceed
ing emiuen;ly revolutionary in its character
and tendency.
The opponents of these principles are the
enemies of all 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 is
to weaken the bonds which hold US together.
GOVERNOR WALKER ON LEcoMPToN.-The
rumored change of opinion on the part Of
Governor Walker in relation to the Lecomp-
ton Constitution is refuted BY long letter
he addressed to the anti-Lecompton Demo-
cratic meeting held at Indianapolis on Tues
day last. II arrived too late to be read to the
meeting, but made its appearance in print, in
the indianapolis Journal. 1t is long, strong
and bitter, and disposes Of the rumors that
he had become reconcied to the President,
and was fatering from the defiant position
that he was understood to occupy some
weeks since. He snys Of the pledges to see
fair play, and have the Lecompton Constiiu-
tion submitted as whole to the whole peo-
pie of Kansas, that the President and all his
cabinet well knew of them at the time they
were made, and that any abandonment OF
them on his part, after the people had accept
ed them and acted upon them, would cover
him with infamy and dishonor, and that they
shall be redeemed by him if necessary to the
latest hour of his existence, even to the shed
ding of the last drop of his blood. He says ::
"Whatever may be the action of wavering, the
timid or corrupt, menaces and prescription
have no terror for me-" Toward the close
of the letter he says:
sis this the s2d year of our Independence,
or is it the first year of American Monarchy,
that is now dawning upon us? Let the Peo-
ple-let the masses composing the true De-
mocracy, arouse from their slumbers. Let
them break the chains which would fetter
their free thought and opinion, and assert
their blood bought rights, and especially the
great indefeasible sovereign right of self
government. We have fallen upon evil times
The liberties of the country are in danger
Let the people in every town, county and
State rise in their majesty TO the rescue"