The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-29
The Constitution or tho United States
What Has Become OF It.

What Has Become OF It.
The late candidate of the rebels for President,
and now Senator from Kentucky, Mr.. Breclin-
ridge seems to be In a sensitive mood in regard
TO the constitution Of the United States, and has
recently been indulging in long and pathetic
speech over what he calls its violation by the
President. He evidently desires the national
government to assume that peculiar and traitor
oas neutrality that his man Friday, Governor
Magofiin, has labored to place Kentucky in
Like the an.i-war and secession journals Of this
city, the Daily Ne'os and Journal of Commerce.
he is loud in his denunciaton of the steps taken
by the President to put down rebellion and
restore the nation to its original quiet and
peace, but offers not a word against those who
commenced the war upon the Union and are
to-day rs1lying the people that have been de-
luded by their sophistry in the Southern States
TO bring utter destruction upon not only the
constitution, but the liberties of the world.
Eighty-fye years ago the people of thetbir-
teen colonies declared their independence, End
their intention 10 no lOager be ruled by kings,
but to govern themselves, and that the voice of
This was one Of the greatest cras in the worlds
history, In fact the birth of democratic insti
tutions and human liberty. For seven long
years our foreiathers watched at its cradle, de-
tending II with sword, bayonct and cannon.
Under their fostering care the child grew to a
man, standing forth the terror of despots Of all
nations aud the protector of the oppressed,
forcing, by its example, the rulers of Europe
10 loosen their bonds and relieve their subjects
from portion Of their burdens There is not
na>ion In the Old World but has been
compelled, In order TO save itself, to
abandon, IN measure, its old form of Op-
preston, add yield to the pressure of human
advancement But now, while in many local.
nes the struggle Of the people Is about to be
crowned with success, we here, living at the
birthplace OF free institutions-t nation that
inangurated the doctrine that genius and intel
lisence, not noble birth, constitute the true
nobility-are In the midst Of the most extern
sive, highhanded and unjustinablc conspiracy
that the world ever witnessed to overthrow and
destroy the only real government Of the people
In the world.
President Lincoln came Into power with this
conspiracy extensively organized presenting its
hydra bead at the very capital Of the nation. Its
managers and head conspirators had been en-
gagged at their work unmolcstcd for years Hav-
ing fun control Of the important departments in
Bschaaans CABINET, they made the best possible
use Of their power. They sent 10 Southern forts
and arsenals all the guns and ammunition
within their reach, placing just men enough
In gwasd over them 10 make their seizure an easy
NATTER when they w@e ready. They robbed the
treasury, seized one Of our mints and used all to
overthrow the government which had protected
them. They thus showed their gratitude by
plunderins. when the public demanded the
punishment Of these traitors aud public robbers.
these con-pirsos~ attempted 10 shield themselves
under the secession and rebellion dodge, and
the moment the President calls cor an army 10
put down the rebellion, then we hear the cry
from snch organs Of secession as the Daily Naos
and Journal u C~msrce, and officials like
Brecsinridee, that b. Is violasng the const,u-
ticn--thus placing themselves before the world
az the advocates and defenders OF those who
have rubbed and plund,rcd the government,
and had joined in rebellion 10 escape just
punishment Tot their crimes.
Not word il uttered by these defenders OF
the constitution about the enormous crimes com
mitied by the South. We would ask them il
they consider the firing upon and the capture OF
the garrison OF Fort Sumter by the South Caro-
linians sanctioned by the constitution Are the
ou,races daily praotiscd by the Southern chiv-
airy upon men who still hold 10 the Union, and
will not adopt the South Carolina he-csy. con-
sii,uiional? Doos the constitution give General
Beauregard the authority TO order his
soldicrs 10 hunt down men who are
following their rcgularpursuits and TO citberim-
prison OF drive them ont Of the State There is
no use Of their spending time over consiitu-
tional points. This j. no time for that kind of
talk. We are in the midst of revolution the
most enormous and wicked ever known to the
world The South Carolnians, when they COM
mcnced the attack upon Fort Sumter, not only
abolished the constitution bu, said TO the world.
by this act that they would neither respect il nor
obey our laws. This was bu, the commence.
uftlt VI tnt htih W W iohf w NHtic Oh lntlf
long and carefully arranged plo, To destroy not
only the constitution. bat the Union and the
frecst government in the world.
Mr. Lincoln had been chosen the Chief Magis-
traic 10 watch over those free institutions under
which We had, a. a nation grown TO our great.
! ness The outbreak at Charleston. and the con
timed preparations in the cotton States, render.
ed Il imperative on his part 10 call TO his aid
an army to put down the rebellion and pre-.
vent the total destruction of our government
! lie had Ia assume the poworsior which he has
received the appreciation Of all loyal citizens
| The oroakcrs forget that the constitution was
made for times ofpcsce and j. not # all ap.
plicsble in a rebellion Ike The present. We are
/ in a struggle for lie and death n contest that Il