, 1861-01-18

threats and warllkc preparations, on the p,rt
Of the traitors? 1fyea, ,coc7c.on assumes double
aspect The majority cannot coaee asn;,aoray,
but the minority can cot1ec the minority Is taia
the fundamental principle, thus applied, which
underlies our republican form Of government
Or is 1t tue corner stone Of our institutions,
that majoritics shall in all cases control? I
assume the hitter position 10 be true In theory
and In fact. The security Of tho minority Ii
the constitution Of the country. The powers
Of the government urc specifically granted
and clca rly defined. No majority can oyerleap
the grant. When they do, the Constitution
provides adequate remedies. But the simple
fear Of the minority, before any oreTt exercise
of power has taken place, by the act Of the
majority, who may pcradven1ure control the
government, Is no cause for nullitcation,
SECESSION, disunion, revolution, or III:
deed, for any at Ian, tentin ! to disturb Il q
harmonious course oi the Federal Government
in pursuance Of the Constitution treaties, and
laws Of the Union. There is no need ol trait
OTIS in this government. ii the Constitution
is inadequate to the exigencles Of our present
cond ton, that Instrument, assuming that
time would demonstrate tlc detect, points out
peaceful remedy for the error oil, or want OF
foresight in the trainers Of that sacred lnstTu-
mcnt. If the Legislative or Executive de-
1,artments OF the Federal Government have
trausccnded tue limits Of the Constitution,
the remedy by m appeal to the judiciary Is
ample. Ii duty has been neglected, OF the
tenor of our legislation is inimicn to the
rights or interests of any portion TUG Union
| when the questions d. issue can be freely,
fully aud fairly discussed, and the sober second
| thou.ht Of the wh0le people nSeeEtainet.
| When nteir will is made known, their servants
will assurcdly follow. Therefore take the broad
ground that there is no TiJat Of constitutional
ebar,cter. which cannot be enforced, and no
| wronr which cannot be rcdrcssed, by SIMPLE
appeal to the peaceful remedies provided b.
the Constitution ITSELF Why then resort 10
the force which civil war eugcnders? TneIc Is
no necessity for it, unless factlous, rc1cusous
aud tr:itorous citizens, compel the Federal
Goyernmcut to adopt the severe alternative
Of submitting to the will Of lae'
tious minority, or enforcing the consti'
! futon and laws with nil Of the power With
which 1t is clothed. should, IS tt citizen, r.
gret the necessity of using force. But II Tue
laws cannot be otherwise maintained II
must be used, or our government is at thu
mercy of mob or rebellion. Ours is cmphat'
icallv n government OF lar, and the citizen
must obey the sovereign sciA. Forco Is in
piled il the organism OF the CO. eminent tht
law. But the lactious, the turbulent and ths
self.willed, do not always render 'fra6use y
Cesar" When unwilling hey must de eocTctd
| No man convicted Of treaso or murder VOL
unfairly submits to the gallows. But the laN'
coercc him. No convicted thief yountarll,
| tncarcer3[e8 himself IN u Fc1lcHlAa3 GcAs ~
the law compels him to 60 and stay there. NJ
man voluntarily pays an execution issuet
upon judgment rendered asalnst nj b hin nj for
use express or Implied force to compel him Il
q apcrfUrmancc Of duty. Force is not therefor
a bugbear to any but the tinlid, nor
. then with nonsense, mud let us do ou
duty in the present national crisis: That dut
is simple one. The Union must be preserve
: for ourselves and postcrity. The Const
, tuition Of tue country must be mai1
, tAinrd. The laws must be enforce
against the unwilling. Faction must y
: put down. Rcbeltons must be quesled. Ire:
| | son must be punished. On which side OF III
! question will the people Of Illinois be found
!, Fur the UsIoS or the trnitorsf As democFa
l declare myself for the Union, tho Constit
tion and the laws, and vii! give my iniluent
and voice in behalf OF the incoming Admin
tration. When the treason is snbuued, it wi
) then be time enough for the minority TO graz
|. liberal and generous tezms:of peace Let II
5 people take their stand.