The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-12-14


is delegated to Congress or any other de-
partment of the federal government. 1t is
manifest upon an inspection of the consttu-
ton, that it is not among the specific and e.
numerated powers granted to Congress; ana
1t Is equally apparen, that its exercise is not
Unnecessary and proper for carrying into exc
cution' any one OF these powers. SO far
from this power being delegated to Congress
1t was expressly refused by the convention
which framed the constitution. 1t appears,
from the proceedings of that body, that on
the 3lst OF May, l,S1. the clause "authoriz-
ing an execution of the force Of the who.e
against delinquent state,' came up for con-
sideration. Mr.. Madison opposed it in a
brief but powerful speech, from which shall
extract but a sinSe sentence. He observed: !:
The use of force against state would look
more like declaration Of war than an inflic
ton Of punishment and would probably be
considered by the party attacked as disso-
luton Of all previous cempacts by which it
might be bound.' Upon his motion the
clause Was unanimously postponed, and was
never believe again presented. Soon af-
terward>, on the Sth of June, 1877. when in
ciden,ally adverting to the subject. he said :
Any government ior the United States, for
med on the supposed practicability of using
io:cc against the unconstitutional proceed
ln@s Of the states. would prove as visionary
and tallacious as the government of Con-
gre>>,' evidently meaning the then existing
,ongrcs, q lhe cid confederation.
Without descending TO particulars, it may
be safely asserted. that the power to make
"ay against state is at variance with the
whole spirit and intent OF the constitution.
S4uros, >nch (. war should result in the CONG
u,st ot 4 state, How are We to govern it at,e:
wares? Snail W. hold it as "a province, ard
govern !: by l,Spotir power? In the na:u:e
"i things We could not. by physic.! force
contro! Tie vi: o. ;he people, and compel
them to c.ec: senators and representatives t.
Congress, and to perform all the other tiu
ties depending upon their Own voItion. AMI
required from the free ci.izeus oi free state
As . constituent member .. the confe,.eracv
But, if we possessed this power, would it ue
wise TO exercise it under existing circumstan-
cas-? The object would be TO preserve the
Union. War would not Only present the
most etiectual means Of destroying it. but
would bani>h all hope of It's peaceable re-
construction. beSi"eS, IN the iraternal con-
ihct vast amount ct blood would be ex-
pended. rendering future reconciliation be-
tween the states impossible. In the mean
time who can fore,el what would be the suf
terings and prlvat'ons of the people during
lis existence?
The fact is, tha. our Union rests upon
pubic opinion. and can never he cemented
by the bloc! OF lis citizens shed in civil war
Il /, cannot l!v. IN The affections of the peo-
r', !; must one day perish. Congress pos
s'>>es many means Of preservation by con-
clila'ion: but the sword was not placed in
tht!r hands to preserve 1t by force. But
may he permitted soltmn!y to invoke my
countrymen to pause and deliberate. before
they determine to destroy this, the srandest
temple "hIcn has ever been dedicated 20 HUI
man freedom since the world began it has
been consecrated by the nlooi of our fathers
b! the siories OF the past, and by the hopes
OF the inture'
lie mon has alrea!y made US the most
prosperous, ana. ere long, Will. II preserved,
render uS 'iit most powerful nation on the
lace OF ti't 'af'h. In every foreign region
o' u'e siooe the u'ie o' American citizen Is
he.| IN inc hlSHcst respect, and When pro-
h"'hce' I! loftIGn lti! Ii causes the hearts
o' our eouh'F!meh [" S"eA "i'h honest pride.
sure! when we ieach 'hc Drink or the ya"-
ms ""l>S' we snail recon- win horror from
t"e l'sl ia'"l plunge. ID! Such dread Ca
'a'F'ph' the hopes OF the tLiends o: freedom
,hrouSh'u' ."e "ofid would be ocstroyed'
an" ZOE hiSh' Oh ieateh despotlsm would
ei''hio," lhe hailo;iS. Nur example lor more
.haA eishty years would not only be .ost bat
II "oulo oe Iuo'eu as i conclusive PROOF that
man Is uhht Tor self-SoverH'nent. Il IS not
every wrons--nay, 1t IS not every gr:evous
WronS-"hich can justify u resort to such a
fearful alternative. This ought to be the last
desperate remedy o; despalrlns people, after
every other constitutional means of concllia-
ton hac been exhausted. We should reflect
that under this tree government there is an
incesSant ebb and flow OF pubic opinion
ne slavery question, like every thing human,
VIII have It's Gay firmly believe that 1t has
already reached and passed the eliminating
point. Dut II, IN The midst OF the existing eA-
t.i'meht, the l Lion shall perish, the e\u may
become iFrcpafaO.c. No"SftSS can contribute
nnch I" avert 1t by proposing and recon-
Mc"a'hS 10 'Ae legislatures OF the severa
states n" reme',y ior the existing evils. wing:
he to'.S'.iuti1H has .;seh PROVIDED 10: IL
""n i:"ser'aiIon. HIS las bern ;ried at oii
!cfeat eF!i.cli rr;.,ci> u: cur history. ana q!
; way, with eminent success. 1t Is t. be foam,
, III tue htth article providing to: lis own l
mendm~Ht Under this article amendment
have been proposed by twn-;.lrds of bot:
y houses "t Congress- and have been "ra,,:iet
, by the legislatures ns ;i,rce-:oultus o. The sev
era! states, have consequently become
! paris uf the constitution 10 TINS process III,