The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1860-12-12

he other duties cepsnning upon tHfir ow
end required from The tree citizens
az A free State as constitutional meinberl
II tho Confederacy. Bat u we possessed
The power, would il be vice % exercise ~
under the existing civcumssancerl Tne OBJ
iscs would be doubtless 70 preserve the
Union, but would not only prove The mosil
fl, csual means Of destroying y, but would
Danish all hope Of i,s eaccable1ccons iruc-
ton. Besitcs in the fraiernal conflict a
yast amount OF blood and treasure would be
expended, rendering iu'urs reconciliation
between The STATES impossible. 10 The mean
time. who can foretell what wou'd'bs the sut-
lsrings and priva,ions Of the people during
it's existence. The fact is thst our Union
rests upon public opinion, and can never be
cemenied. by the blood Of is cisizeus shed
in civil war Hit cannot live 10 the affec
tons Of the people. Il must one day perish
Congress possesses many means Of preserv-
ing by cancellations; but the sword was not
placed in their hands 10 preserve il by force.
Blu. may | BE- permitted solemnly TO invoke
my coun,rymen 10 pause. snd'delberate be-
fore they determine 10 destroy this, the
grArdest temple. which has ever been dedi-
ted 10 human freedom.
| We should reflect that under this fres
government there IL On incessant ebb and
flow OF public opinion. The slavery qnes'
tion, like every thing hnman, will have ~
day. firmly believe that it has alresd,
reached and passed the eliminating point
but r., in the midst of the existing excite
ment. The Union shall perish. tho evil ma!
then become irrepsrahle. Congress csr
contribute much 10 arrest Il, by proposin.
and recommending 10 the Legislatures .
the several Ssaies The remedy for exisiini
n evils which the Constitution hes i,self pro
vided for i,s own preservation. This hn
, been tried - different critical periods'of on
I history. and always with eminent success
. II 10 to be found in the oh article. providing
for its own amendment. Under this articl
amendments have been proposed by two
/ thirds OF both Houses OF Congress. and hav'
I been ratified by the Legislatures Of three
fourths Of the several States, and have con
sequently become parts of The Constitution
4 This is the very course which earnestly
. recommend, in order to obtain an exphna
tory amendment OF The Constitution on IL,
] subject Of slavery. This might originate
with Congress or the State Legislatures. :
b may be deemed most advisable 70 attain III
object. The explanatory amendment nigh
be confined 10 the final settlement OF th,
true construction OF the Constitution on thre
Especial poinss:-Firs', an express recogni
,iun Of the right Of property 10 slaves in III
Statec where II now exis,s or mry hereafte
exist. Second. the duty Of protecting hi
light IN all the common territories through
out heir territorial existence, and until the
shall be admitted Is States into the Unior
With or without Slavery, ns their Consti,r
;ions may prescribe. Third, like reccgni
ton OF the right Of the mas,cr 70 his slave
who has escaped from one State 10 ano,he
70 be restored, and delivered ID TO him; an
i the validity OF the Fugitive lSl1ve Law. en-
acted for this purpose, together With ID
claiation that all State laws impalrn2 Z
:, decreasing this right. are violations Of Ii
Constitution. and consequently, null an
= void.
:, Such an explanation would il il believe,
- forever terminate The existing dissension
/. and restore peace and harmony among h
ofl States. Il ought not 70 b doubted thi
y such IN appeal to the arbtiahent cstablisl
10 ed BY tho Constitution itself, would be n
u ceived with favor b. oil the States Of h
:. Confederacy. In any event i ought TO
:. tried In spiri. Of concilistion, before an
N Of these States shall separate shsmselv,
e. from the Union.
le The PEST de1t then discusses our foreie
relations. Our relations with Spain hs'
u been complicated BY the refusal Of the Sci
he ate to ratfy the Convention fer the adjus
20 msnt Of the Cnban clsm--so called. lie =
te peats his accommodation for the acquis
p. ton Of Cuba by fair purchase. With Il
N exec ption or Mexico our relations ere gen
q. rally Of a satisfactory character.
70 In relation 10 Kansas, the President ga,
- the desperate baud recently assembled vi