The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-12-12
VOL. 6, NO. 24.-WHULE NO. 294
Without descending to particulars. j, ma,

'eAOee oSS~SoAaoS W AAS iudN
be safely asserted that the power to make war
against a State is at variance with the whole
spirit and intent of the Constitution. Suppose
such a war should result in he conques, of a
State, how are we to govern il afterwards?-
Shall we hold it as province. aud govern il b,
deSpotic power? In the nature of things We
could not by physical force control the will of
the people and compel them to elect Senators
and Representatives TO CongreSS. and TO per-
form all the other duties depending npon their
own violation and required from tie free ciii-
zens OF free State a cons, fluent member of
the Coniederacy. But if we POSSESSED this
power, would it be wise 10 exercise il under ex-
isting circumstances? The object would be
doubtless TO preserve the Union. War would
not oaly present the most efiec;ual means Of le-
stroying it, but would hari>ii all hopes of its
peacable reconstruction. Besides ia the fra
ternal conflict a vast amount of blood and irea-
sure would be expended rendering future re-
conciliation between the States impossible In
the meantime, who can iurc,cll What would be
the suherings and prvaiioi, ot the people du-
ring its existence? The fact Is, that our Union
rests upon public opinion, and can never he ce-
mented by the blood Of It's citizens sledin civil
war. Ii it cannot live in the affections of the
people, it must one day p rsh. Congress pos
sesses many means OF preserving il by conca-
tiOn, but the sword was not placed in their
hands to preserve it by force
But may lie permitted solemuly 10 invoke
my countrymen to pause and deliberate before
they determine to destroy this, the grandest tenn
pie which has ever been Dedicated To human
freedom since the world began Ii has been
consecrated by the blood of our fathers. nv the
gories of the past, and by the hopes of the fii.
ture. The Union has already made us the mos,
prosperous, and ere long will. if preserved rem
der us the most powerful nation on the face oi
the eai th.
In every foreign region OF the globe, the title
Of American citizen is held in the highest res
pect, and when pronounced in foreign land il
causes the hearts of our countrymcn 10 swell
with honest pride. Surely, when we reach the
brink of the yawning abyss we shall recoil with
horror from the fatal plunge BY such dread
catastrophe the hopes of the friends of freedom
throughout the world would be destroyed, and
a long night of eaden dcSpotiSm would ensbroud
the nations. Our example for more than so
years would not only bc lost, but it would be
quoted as conclusive proof that man is unfit
for selfgovernment.
1t Is not every wrong-Day, it is not every
grievOus wrOng-which can Justify IA resort to
such fearful alternative. This ought TO be tie
last desperate remedy of desparing people, after
every other constitutional means OF cancellation
had been exhausted.
We should reflect that under this govern
ment there is an incessant ebb and flow IN pub
lie opinion. The slavery question. Ike every
thing human. will have its day. firmly believe
hat it has already reached and passed the cu!-
minating point, but If in the midst of the exis-
ting excitement the Union shall perish, the evil
may then become lrreparabe.
Congress can contribute much 10 avert it by
proposing ami recommending to the Legisla-
lures of the several States the remedy for exis-
ting evils which the Constitution has itsell
provided for its own preservation. This has
been tried at different critical periods of our
history, and always with emin mt success. 1t is
10 he found in the fifth article providing for its
own amendment. Under this article amend
ments have been proposed by two-,hirds OF
both Houses Of Congress, and have been ..rat-
flied by the Legislatures of three-fOurths Of the
several States" and have consequently become
parts of the Constitution. To this process the
country is Indebted for the clause prohibiting
Congress from passing any law respecting an
vi ttiiSIcil, VI utt-
dom of speech or Of the press, or the right Of pc
titiOn. To this we are also indebted for the bill
of rights which secures the people against any
abuse Of power by the Federal Government
Such were the apprehensiOns justly entertained
by the friends of State rights at that period, Is
TO have rendered it extremely doubtful wheth-
er the Constitution could have long survived
without these amendments Again, the Con.
stitution was amended by the same process ai-
ter the election of President Jefferson by the
House Of Representatives. in February, 1903
This amendment was rendered necessary tO
prevent a recurrence of the dangers which had
seriously threatened the existence Of the Gov
ernment during the pendency of that election
| The article for its own amendment was iuten
ded TO procure the amicable djustment Of con
! hcting constitutional questions like the present
which might arise between the Governments o
the States and the United States. This ap
pears from contemporaneous history.
In this connection, shall merel; call atten-
ton to few sentences in Mr.. Madson's Justly
celebrated report in 1899, to the Legislature o.
Virginia. In this he ably and cOnclusivey de
Tended the resolutions of the preceding Legisla
ture against the structures Of several other State
Legislatures These were mainly founded upon
the protest of the Virginia Legislature against
the alien aud seditous acts, as "palpable and
alarming infractions of the Constitution
In pointing out the peaceful and cons:itu-
tonal remedies, and he referred to none other,
10 which the States were authorized to re-
sort on such occasion, he concludes, by saying
that the Legislature of the States might have
made direct representation TO Congress, with
a view to obtain arescinding of the two often
sive acts, or they might have represented tt
their respective Senators in Congress their wlsl
that two-thrds thereof would propose an "eX
pIanatory amendment to the Constitution, oil
two-thirds of themselves, if such had been
their option, might, by an application to Con-
gress, have obtained a Convention for the same
object" This is the very course which
earnestly recommended, in order TO obtain al
explanatory amendment of the Constitution on
the subject of slavery. This might originate
with Congress or the State Legislatures, as may
be deemed most advisable 10 attain the object
The explanatory amendment might be con
fined to the fual settlement Of the true con
struction of the Constitution on three specia
points:
l. An expires. recognition Of the night o
property in slaves in the States whereit now ex
lists or may hereafter exist.
2. The duty of protecting this right in all tn
common territories throughout their territoria
existence, and until they shall be admitted a
States into the Union with or without slavery