The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-12-12

from the last fatal plunge. By such a dread
catastrophe the hopes of the friends OF free.
dom throughout the world would be destroy
ed, and long night of leaden despotism
would enshroud the nations. Our example
for more than eighty years would not only
be lost, but it would be quoted as a conclu-
siye proof that man is unfit for self govern
ment.
1t is not every wrong-navi it is not every
grievous wrOng-which can justify n resort
to such a fearful alternative This ought
to be the last desperate remedy of despair
ing people, after every other constitutional
means of Cancellation had been exhausted.
We should reflect that under this free Gov
ernment there is an incessent ebb and flow
In public opinion. The slavery question.
like everything human, will have its day
! firmly believe that it has already reached
and passed the eliminating point. Bat if.
in the midst of the existing excitement, the
Union shall perish, the evil may then be-
come irreparabIc. Congress can contribute
much to avert it by proposing and recon-
mending to the legislatures of the several
States the remedy for existing evils, which
the Constitution has itself provided for ts
own preservation. This has been tried ut
different critical periods Of our history, and
always with eminent success. 1t Is 10 be
found in the 9th article providing for its own
amendment. Under this article amend
ments have been proposed by twO-thirds Of
both houses of Congress, and have been
ratified by the Legislatures Of three fourths
of the several States, "and have consequent
ly become parts of the Constitution. To
this process the c0untry is indebted for the
clause prohibiting Congress from passing
any law respecting an establishment of re-
ligion, or abridging the freedom of speech
+ 6 y,E. - - e,
To this we are also indebted for the Bill of
Rights, which secures the people against
any abuse of power by the Federal Govern
ment. Such were the apprehensions Justly
entertained By the friends of State rights at
that period as to have renderei.it extremely
doubtful whether the Constitution could
have long survived without these amend
ments.
Again, the Constitution was amended by
the same process after the election of PresI-
dent Jefferson by the House Of Representa-
tives, in February, 1905. This amendment
was rendered necessary to prevent recur-
reace 0t the dangers which had seriously
threatened the existence of the Government
during the pendency of that election. The
article for its own amendment was intended
to secure the amicable adjustment Of con-
hicting constitutional questions like the
present, which might arise between the Gov
ernments of the States and that of the Uni
ted States. This appears from contempora-
neous history.
/ In this connection, shall merely call at
tion to lew SENTENCES in Mr. Madison s
I Justly celebrated report iq 1893, 10 Iae leg
iSIatCTe OF Virginia In this he ably and
conclusively defended the resolutions of The
preceding legislatures against the structures
. OF several other State legislatures These
were MAINLY founded upon lac protest OF
the Virginia legislature against the Allen
ard SedHion Acls, as Paipabe and alarm
ing inIracllous OF the Constitution"
J lu pointing out the peaceful and constitn-
tional remedies, and he referred 10 none
other, 10 which the States were authorized
10 resort, on such occasions, he concludes
by saying, that the legislatures OF the States
might have made a direct representation to
Congress with a view 10 obtain 4 resembling
F of the TWO offensive acts, or they might
J have represented TO their respective Seaa-
: tors in Congress their wish that two thirds
thereof would propose an explanatory
amendment TO the Constitution, or two
thirds OF themselves. ii snch had been ti,G.;
= opiioa, mighty an application 10 Con-
greSs, have obtained a convention for the
same object
This j. the very course which | earnestly
I recommend in order 10 obtain an eXplana-
tory amendment OF the constitution on the
subject OF Slavery. This might originate ia
! Congress or The State Legislatures, may
/ he deemed most advisable TO attain The
/ object
The explanatory amendment: may be
/ confined TO The fiuaI settlement of the true
construction of the Constitution on three
! special points
! !. An express recognition Of the right OF
property IN slaves ~ The States where II
now exists, or may hereafter exist.
?. The duty OF proecIn2 this right in al
The Common Territories throughout their
territorial existence, and until they shall be
/ admitted as States into the Uuiou, with OF
/ without slaves as their Constitutions may
. prescribe.
3. a like recognition of the right of the
master to have his slave. who escapes from
, one State 10 anolher- restored aud deliver
ell up TO h:m, and OF the validity OF The
Fueiliyc slave law enacted for this purpose,
together with declaration that all State
Laws impairlng or defeating lhls right are
violations OF The Constitution, and are con.
seQusniIy null and void.
II may be objected that this construction
I of the Constitution has already been settled
by the Supreme Court OF the Uniied States
and what more ough 10 lie required The
answer IS, that a very large proportion o.
the people OF the United States still conies
the correctness Of This decision, and never
will cease from agitation and admit lis bThC
ing force until clearly established ty ihs
/ people OF several States in their sovereigr
character. Such an explanatory amend
ment would, il is believed, forever lermI
na'e the existing disensions and restore
, peace and harmony among The States.
.i, 4 tad tltaf crph s1T
! appeal to The arbirameut established 10y
The Constitution itself wonld ne receive,
with favor by all the States OF the Conied
eracy In any event il ought to be trIed II
a spirit of Cancellation before any OF these
States skail separate themselves from The
Union.
When entered unon the duties of lht