The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-01-18

tion gives the right Of eminent domain
even over the soil OF the States the sea.
coasts harbors, for national and constitu-
tional purposes, through which to eslab-
lish post Offices and routes, custom houses,
forts, navy yards, arsenals, armorics,
everything necessary for the national de-
fence and TO the administration Of the
government. Can State secede and
main The power and right Of selfpreserva.
ton, Inherent in the system, which per-
wade the governments, State and Nation
al, and acting by its officers directly on
the citizen? ....
Shall the artery that gives life to the
great valley Of the West be at the mercy
of hostile communities. and subject TO be
severed from the Gulf Stream, through
which the interior States reach and en-
brace their seaboard sisters? II there
were nothing else in the nterposi.
ton Of foreign power upon the grand
trunk Of the mighty flood whose branches
bear the fruit-the riches OF the continent
it is enongh 10 array the country against
ii, that il would break the symmetry ma
ture has given it for the full development
of the vast republic now reaching from
ocean TO ocean.
| The right of secession is tho right TO tcar
n limb from tho body. and in tho supposed
case OF tho secession of States on tho Lower
Mississippi, it the right of domain over all
| its sources would not attach to the soceding
States, it would at least seriously conflict
with the FREQ enjoyment of opposing rights.
and eventually lead TO discussions, il not
war. between tho States directly interested
in tho navigation of that great highway of
the worlds commerce.
Tho Constitution makes q body polite of
all embraced wiIhin It's Jurisdiction. To
dismombcr it. is so far to destroy it. 1t con.
stitutcs an Union, and separation is war
against it. Secession aud Union arc incom.
patiblo ideas. The attempt to assert the
right attaching to both as consistent with
the same Constitution is moro absurdity /;
tho one is but the negative of tho othcr.
and they cannot DO rcconclcd.
But tho discontUnts which have grown up
between tho States may and ought to be
reconcilcd.
Tho fugitive slave law provides for tho ex.
ccution Of duty imposed by tho Constitu
tion. Unfortunately it contains clauses in.
sulting to tho just pride and to tho con.
science of tho section of the country on
which it is brought to boar. 1t is difficult
to execute q law revolving to tho public
opinion whero it is to operate. Yet this
law has been executed by tho federal off
GERS, notwithstanding, aud under an honest
administration it may have full effect III
tho clauses offensive and dorogatory to those
who arc required TO execute il be repealed,
thore is no doubt tho personal liberty laws.
which obstruct its proper execution, if any
such thcre be. passed from whatever motive.
would be repealed or essentially modified.
This ought to 10 d0no. Tho obnoxious
features of the fugitive slave statute wore
inserted at tho instignton of tho Repro.
seutativos from States not Interested in its
execution. and plotting to defeat it, that the
States for whose benefit it was passed might
DO excited to join in tho schemes of break
ing the Union, which is now manifestly tho
object of those that make tho clamor about
tho obstruction of the fugitive slave act, to
Justify secession. Tho States roallv wroneod.
If any, by tho legislation of tho Froe,States.
are loyal to the Union and do not urge their
wrong TO overthrow it. But those who
have plotted the fatal measure crcato dis
affection in tho loyal States by throwing
themselves into the breach to defond their
rights, and calling Oh them for support.
!aturcs and other official representatives OF
the States of Kontucky and Tennessee to
tho State Of Ohio, by their visit to this Capi-
tai last winter, and tho frank, concilatory
and magnnnimous tompor they displayed.
would justify tho Legislature of Ohio in in
voking tho FREQ States to repeal all laws. if
any such thore bo, contravening tho rights
which their follow citizens of tho South
justly claim undor tho constitution and rcly
on future Congress, if IL bo not done by
tho present Congress, for the abrogaton OF
whatever is obnoxious in the fugitive slave
! act, and for such amendments of il rs will
fully protect tho liberties of tho citzens OF
tho free States.
A like concilatory course wonld bo OK
pcctod of the Southern States, by tho re.
poaling ofsuch of their laws as c0ntraveno
tho constitutional rights of tho citizens OF
the Free States. With less, tho ciizens oil
r tho FREQ States will not DO satisfied They
claim and will insist upon all thoir consttu
tiona rights in ovcry State and Territory
/ OF the COnfederacy. These they cheorfully '
accord to tho citizens of tho Southern S utes
| Determined 10 do no wrong. thoy will moi
contentedly submit to any wrong. Unawed
by threats they demand the employment OF
all tho constitutional powers of tho Federal
Government to maintain aud preserve the
Union. Rejecting the whole theory oI
State secession as in palpable violation Of
the Constitution, thcy can not consent tC
, tho exercise cf any power under its sanction
Tho integrity of tho Union, its oneness anc
indvsibiity must DO preserved. In tho
Union lhoy will DO ss scrupulously carofu
to protect tho rights of the Slave as of tn,
FREQ States. Nay, moro. Conscious d
. thoir powor, and regarding tho Union--i
8 pcaceablo and fratornal Unon--as tn,
@ nOblest legacy they can bcquoath to tho
I pOsterity, thoy will chcGrfuHy ynd every
thing to thoir brethren of tho South, tina
. may not disturb the harmony of tho Con
stitution, and that may be consistent will
right. Justice. humanity and tho demands o
: christian civilization. But with treason
i against the Federal Government thoy hav,
: no terms of compromise to make, mono t,
: accept. Against that, they demand tho GU
fOrcement of tho laws.
+. purposely avoid attaching any impor
tanco to tho only Oiher threatening conflict
= that relating to tho establishing of SLAYER,
! in tho remaining territory of tho Unitet
y States, as all must SEQ that that is settlet
. by decree more potent than legislative on
e actments or judicial decision. The opinion
c declared by the Supreme Court, as claimoC
by tho South, opens these territories to sla
- | yarv and TarriIoriaI I,ngisIntnFoa inVitn /,