The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-12-12

Court has decided that the Federal Govera-
ment possesses the power, and 1t is its duty
to surrender them up, and also that the ex
elusive power Of legislation upon that sub
ject is in Congress, and not in the States.-
If thSt proposition be true-snd so the Cour
has adjudged-it necessarily follows, as al
invariable rule Of constitutional law, that 1
duty imposed carries with it the means oI
it's faithful execution. TGreat applause.
Hence hold that it is the duty Of Con-
gress instantly to remove all obstructionI
which may be thrown in the way of the en-.
forcement of the Constitution and the laws,
whether those obstuietipps be imposed by
State legislation or in any other msnner
whatsoever. [Cheers. Let US, then, rally
around the Constitution as our forelathers
made it, perform all our duties under it, pro.
tect every right guaranteed by it, and pre-
serve the Union forever for our posterity.-
| Cheers.
Sir, you have alluded to my bearing during
the late political contest. | can only say
that did no act and uttered no word during
the whole OF that canvsss that my judgment
and my conscience do net now fully approve.
["Good," and immense applause. The
contest is over, and let all the asperities, ill.
feeling, and strife engendered by it be bu-
ried with it. Let the past be referred to
only as furnishing lessons of wisdom for the
future, and let all Union men, all Constitu.
ton loving men, unite as q band OF brothers
to save The country first, and quarrel after
wards as to who shall govern it. Cheers.
1t is true that the election has terminated
in manner unso tisfactory to the Union men
of the country. No man regrets the result
more than | do-not from considerations
personal TO myself but os affecting the
peace and safety of the country. "That's
so," and cheers. But the question arises
whether it is the part of patriots to destroy
the best Government that the sun OF Heaven
ever shone upon, merely because man has
been elected, and party has been triumph
snt, whose principles are obnoxious to US -
I declare that the election OF any man by
the American people, according to the Con-
>tiiution of our country, furnishes no cause,
no excuse, for dissolving the Union.-
| ["Good." and chsers ] So long as he ob'
serves bis oath of office, by seeing the laws
tithfully executed, he should be supported
in all Constitutional measures by all patri
otic men, and if he disregards his oath, vic.
lates the Constitution, makes war upon any
section, or upon the rights OF any man, he
should then be held to The strictest account
ability provided in the Constitution.
Whit harm can this Republican President
DO, even il he be so disposed! He is in a
minority in both Houses OF Congress, he is
in minority OF the people of the United
States, ["ThN's so," and cheers and he
has no power except that coaferrad by the
Constitution and the laws. Il he does not
strictly perform his duty we will impepch
him. [Cheers.] What barm then, repeat
can he do He can do no act except dis
tribute the patronage of the Government,
and in the exercise Of that power he is re-
strained by the Sc ate, which csn confirm
or reject all Of bis princip,l appointments.
Cheers Then, fellow. citizens, beaeech
yoU, without reference to tofm'r porty di =
visions, to lay aside all political asperlies,
all personal prejudces, to indulge in no
examinations or recriminalioDs, but to unite
with me, and all UnioD loving men, in
common effort to save the country from the
dsnsters which threaten it. ["We will"
ana cheers
Ny fr-njs, the night is too cod to detoia
ycu longer. ["Go on ~ lsgain renew to
yoa my lhsnbs or this compliment you h,ve
paid me. 1t is refreshing o"d grateful To-
my feelings, when return here, to my gin
ter residence, as a Representative from a
State. to be received By the citizens OF
Washington and strSngers thus assembled.
1t is en- encouragement tor the great re foG.
sibiites thot now await US. am prepured
on Monday morning to resume my er"t in
the Sen0te without a grievance, without i
complaint, without any passion 10 in,eriers
with the impartial disch4r1e Of M duties TO
the couat'y. [Cheers. trust that the
solcmnity OF the occasion, the responsibility
that rests upon every public maH, the d ep
anxiety felt by the American people, will
lasEire Us oil to act rule.y with reference
10 mantaicing this Republic as our fathers
made it, the home Of Tree men, and the hope
OF the oppressed throughout the world Tor
aIl time to come. thonk you. gentlemen.
I 'Nrp .apiDpa . n nj snSa