Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-12-15
VOL. "a.

the suferings and privations of the people
during its exisience1
The fact is, that our Union rests upon
public opinion, and can never be cemented
by the blood of its citizens shed in civil
war. If it cannot live in the affections of
the people, it must one day perish. Con-
gress possess many means of preserving it
by cancellation but the sword was not
placed in their hand to preserve it by
force.
But may be permitted solemnly to in
woke my countrynen to pause and deliber-
ate, before they determine to destroy this,
the grandest temple which has ever been
dedicated to human freedom since the
world began! 1t has been consecrated by
the blood of our fathers, by the glories of
the past, and by the hopes of the future.
The Union has already made us the most
prosperous and ere long, will, if preserved,
render us the most powerful nation on the
face of the earth.
In every foreign region of the globe the
title of American citizen is held in the
highest respect, and when pronounced in
foreign land it causes the hearts of our
countrymen to swell with honest pride.
Surely when we reach the brink of the
yawning abyss, we shall recoil with horror
from the last fatal plunge. By such
dread catastrophe the hopes of the friends
OF freedom throughout the world would be
destroyed, 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 conclusive proof that man is
unfit for self-government.
1t Is not every wrong-nay, it is not
! every grievous wrong-which can justify
resort to such fearful alternative. This
ought to be the last desperate remedy of
despairing people, after every other con-
stitutional means of concilation had been
exhausted. We should reflect that under
this free government there is aa incessant
ebb and flow in public opinion. Tho sla-
very question, like everything human, will
have lis day. l firmly believe that it has
already reached and passed the eulmina-
ting point But if, in the midst of the ex-
listing excitement, the Union shall perish,
the evil may then become irreparablc.
Congress can contribute much to avert it,
by proposing and recommending to the
legislatures of the several States the reme-
dy for existing evils, which the Constitu-
ton has itself provided for its own preser-
vation. This has been tried at different
critical periods of our history, and always
with eminent success.
It's to be found in the fifth article pro-
viding for its own amendment. Under
this article amendments have been pro-
posed by two-thirds of both houses of
Congress, and have been "ratifed by tho
Legislatures of three-fourths of the several
States and have consequently become
parts of the Constitution. 10 this process
the country is indebted for the clause
prohibiting Congress from passing any law
respecting an establishment of religion,
or abridging the freedom of speech or of
the press, or of the right of petition. To
this we are, also, indebted for the Bill of
Rights, which secures the people against
any abuse ofpower by the Federal Govern
mant. Such were the apprehensions just
ly entertained by the friends of State
Rights at that period as 10 have rendered
it extremely doubtful whether the Consti-
tntion could have long survived without
these amendments.
Again, the Constitution was amended
by the same process. after the election Of
President Jefferson by the House of Rep
resentatives, in February, 1903. This
amendment was rendered necessary to pro-
vent recurrence of the dangers which
had seriously threatened the existence of
the Government during the tendency Of
that election. The article for its own
amendment was intended to secure the
amicablo adjustment of conflicting constitu-
tional questions like the present, which
might arise between the governments Of
the States and that of the United States.
This appears from contemporaneous his
tory.
In this connection, I shall merely call
attention to few sentences in Mr.. Madi-
sons justly celebrated report in 1893, to
, the legislature of Virginia. Iu this ho
ably and conclusively defended the resolu-
tions Of the preceding legislature against
! the structures of several other Stale legis-
laturcs. These were mainly founded upon
the profess of The Virginia legislature
against The "Alcn and Sediton Acts," as
'palpable and alarming miraculous OF The
, Constitu ion.
, Inpointng out the peaceful and eonsti.
, tutional remedies, and he referred to none
other, to which the States were authorized
Q to resort, on such OCCASIONS, he concludes
@ by saying, "that the legislatures of th,
y Statas might have made direct represen
S tation to Congress with view to obtain {
i resembling of the two offensive acts or they
o might have represented to their respective
!. Senators in ongress their wish that two
S thirds thereof would propose an explana-
d tory amendment to the Constitution, o.
c two-thirds of themselves, if such had bee
: their option, might, by an application +
Congress, have obtained convention 70
d the same object"
g This is the very course which I ear
t. nestly recommend in order to obtain a
II Explanatory amendment" of the Consti
= Al, g 51,