Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-07-17


The doctrine that State has right to Sc
cede is derived from the belief that the States
respectively have not relinquished their SOW
ereignty, but have only entered into an often
sive and defensive alliance. In other words,
that the general government is no government,
and it, like garment used for protection, may
be put off or on at option. Admit his for sake
of argument, and see where it leads us. Ad-
NIT the respective States to be sovereign, and
(for such is the meaning of the term,) each is
possessed of uncomfortable power-knows no
superior-cannot be called to account, and
without let or hindrance can alter its present
form of government and establishing in lien
such as it pleaSes be il monarchy military die
tatorship, or care not what. You may object
that the State Constitutions would forbid such
change, and answer, those Constitutions
provide for amendments, bat should they not,
revolutions destroy Constitutions. w hat then
becomes OF that part of our bond OF union
whereby the United States guarantees to every
State IN the Union republican form of gov
ernmentf Though every citizen OF such a
State, save one, should desire such change,
that one alone, could absolve us from this
Constitutional obligation. You are aware that
the Constitution provides for reciprocity of
citizenship, and guarantees to you and me and
every citizen wherever we may cast our lot IN
this broad land, the privileges and immunities
of the several States. If you admit State SOW
ereignty you practically ignore this right and
acknowledge secession, proper.
The right of secession is not countenanced
by the Constitution either by express language
or by implication, but is negatived by the
terms of that instrument. Secession is revo-
luton. Those States who have passed acts
declaring their allegiance to the general gov
ernment absolved, have placed themselves in
hostile attitude, and by throwing down the
gauntlet, have assumed the responsibility Of
inauguratng civil war. | shall not attempt to
hn adp1
States have endured wrongs through the ac-
tlon Of the Federal or State Governments, for
our courts, where wrongs redressed, are
open to all, and the highest judicial tribunals
in the land have most nnequivocally recogni-
zed their broadest claim OF right, but assume
the position that in government like ours,
where the right of expatration is recognized
where the people can, at fixed and short peri
DDS hange those who have the direction OF af-
fairs; where they rule, and their will, controll-
ed only by the Constitution is the law where
the Constitution provides way by which it
can be altered amended. and where the diff
ferent branches of government act as checks on
each other, and keep each within the limits
prescribed by the fundamental law, there can be
no good, substantial, solid reason given for
revolution until the powers that be, usurp au-
thority, disregard the laws, override the bar
riers OF the Constitution, and render the Gov
ernment destructive of the ends for which it
tablish justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty TO ourselves and our posterity.
The government has right, aye ii is its
duty to protect itself and to use all its legiti
mate powers in preventing its annihilaton. |
1t is the duty of every citizen, not merely by |
passive obedience to the laws but by active |
co cooperation, if necessary, to aid the Govern |
ment in SO laudable an undertaking. The man |
who actively engages in subyerting the Con- |
stitutlonal authorities may plead an excuse |
for his conduct the belief that sufficient cause
existed, but he is no more guilty than he who
throws obstacles in the way of the Govern
ment and attempts to thwart its legitimate de-
signs. In our present distracted and unhappy
state of affairs, there can be no neutral
ground. When the batteries of Charleston
opened upon Fort Sumter cry went through
out the land like the voice of Joshua to the
tribes at Shechem-ssChoose you this day
whom We will serve.'' We have answered in
tones which cannot be misunderstood, that
our best emotions cluster round our country,
her flag, her traditions and her glory that
our government is founded on the affections
of the people, and must and shall be preserved. |
We have sent forth an army prompted neither
by a feeling OF revenge, rivalry or ambition,
but stern sense of duty; who would rather
embrace, than surround and conquer; protect, !
than destroy forgive, than punish; but who
have sworn upon the altar Of their country, if |
need be, without stint, to the last drop their /
blood shall be poured out in defence of the
Union, its Constitution and its laws
The prosecutions encountered for opinion |
sake; the sundering of domestic ties and /
hardships endured in reclaiming the wilds of
America, the wrongs suffered, and the blood |
and treasure poured out during the Revolu-
tionary struggle, summed up may approximate |
to the cost of this Union but who can esti- /
mate its value? To the material progress we /
have made during the last 85 years freedom |
of speech; freedom of the press religious toll |
Grafton the happiness and property we have |
enjoyed, add the hope and ardor We have in
spired in the breasts of the down trodden of |
other nations, the ameliorations wrested from,
or granted by other governments prompted by /
our example and in future ages, when all gov
ernments shall recognize that man is capable
OF, and Self-government is his right, when gov
ernments shall derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed, add the innumer-
able blessings which shall have flown from re-
publican government, and you will know its
value. 1t is worth preserving; lighting for;
dying for. Whilst there is yet hope for the
Republic, let the memories of the past in
crease our love for the government framed by
our fathers let US this day renew our oath of
featy, and swear, God willing, that the blood
bought legacy shall be transmitted from sire
to son, and with one heart and one mind let
our prayer ascend to Him, who ruleth the des-
tiny of nations, that the violence of passion
may be stayed, peace and fraternal love be re-
stored, and our country remain an ASYLUM for
the oppressed, its government beacon light
to the world.
Major-General Mccall has issued an order
that each of the fifteen regiments of the re-
serve. corps of Pennsylvania Volunteers be