Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-03-08

in 1879. IL was further matuled and the
faith Of all the then thirteen States express
" plighied and engaged that il shou d be
perpetual, by the articles Of confederation
III 1873, and finally in 1897.
One OF the declared objects for ordaining
and establishing the Constitution was to
form a more perfect Union but if destruc-
ton Of the Union by one or ty part only
Of the States be lawfully possible, the I'm
ion is less than before the Constitution,
having lost the vital element Of perpeiuity.
Ii follows from these views that no State
upon its own mere motion can lawfully get
out of the Union--,hat resolves and ordin-
ances 10 that effect are legally void, and that
acts of violence within any State or States
against the authority of the United States,
are insurrcelionary or revolutionary, accord
ing 10 circumstances.
therefore consider that in view of the
Constitution aud the laws, the Union is I'M
broken. and to the extent Of my ability
shall take care, as the Constitution itself
expressly enforces upon me, that the laws
the States. Doing this deem TO be only
a simple duty on my part, and shall per-
form it so far as practicable, unless my
righttul masters, the American people, shall
withhold the requisition. or in some author
itative manner direct the contrary.
/ trust this will not be regarded as men
ace, but only as the declared purpose of the
Union, that it will consiilutonally defend
and maintain itself. In doing this there
needs to be no bloodshed or violence, and
there shall be none unless it be forced upon
the national authority.
The power confded to me will be used
to hold, occupy and possess the property
and places belonging 10 the government,
and collect the duties and impo>ts; but be-
You'd what may be necessary for these ob-
iects, there will be no invasion, no using OF
force against or among the people any
where.
Where hostility TO the United States in
any interior Territory shall be so great and
so universal as to prevent competent resi-
dent citizens from holding the federal offices,
there will be no attempt 10 force obnoxious
strangers among people that object. While
the strict legal right may exist for the gov
| GEtlIDtlll ~ GliplNC liiC CANlCiNC VI li' SS
offices, the attempt 10 do so would be Sc
irritating, and so nearly impracticable
withal, that deem it better to torego toI
the time the uses Of such offices.
The mails, unless repealed, will continue
to be furnished in all parts of the Union St
far as possible. The people everywhere
shall have that sense of perfect security
which is most favorable to calm thought
and reflection.
The course here indicated will be fo|lowe,
unless current events ana experience snail
show modification or change 10 be proper
and in every case and exigency my bes
discretion will be exercised according t.
circumstances actually existing, and with 1
view and hope to peaceful sou ION o
the national trouble and the restoration o
fraternal sympathies and affections.
That there are persons in one section OF
another who seek to destroy the Union a
all events, and are clad Of any pref, XII t
do it, | will leither affirm nor deny but il
there should be such need address no wore
to them. To those, However, who really
love the Union may not speak Before
entering upon so grave matter as the de,
/ struction of our national fabric, with all il,
benefits, its memories and its hopes, wnu.t
it not be well to ascertain precisely why W,
do it? Will you hazard so desperate
step while there is any possibility thai an,
portion of the ills you fly from have n
real existence? Will you, while the Ger
tain ills you fly to are greater than all tn
real ones you fly from? Will you ri,k til
commission OF 20 fearful mistake?
All profess to be content in the Union
all constitutional rights can lie maintalnet
: Is it true, then, that any right plainly wri
ten in the Constitution has been DENIED
think not. Happily the human mind i :
: constituted that no party can reach the al
dacity Of doing this. Think, if you can,
a single instance in which plainly WRIT.
provision of the Constitution has ever bee
: denied.
If by the mere force of numbers a m;
jority should deprive a minority of an
clearly written Constitutional right, il mial
in a moral point of view justify revolution
; it certainly would, if such right were VIII
one. But such is not the case all the rig
of minorities and OF individuals are s
plainly assured to them by atiirmations al
negatives, guarantees and prohibitions in tt
Constitution, that controversies never arr
a concerning them. But 10 organic law ca
ever be framed with a provision specifcal
0 applicable to every question which ma
occur in practical administration no for
sight can anticipate, nor any document
Q reasonable length contain, express PROV
o ions for all possible questions.
y Shall fugitives from labor be surrenderc
e by National or by State authority? III
IS Constitution does not expressly say. MI
Il Congress protect slavery in the Territories
q The Constitution does not expressly say.
= From questions of this class spring
= our constitutional controversies, and we
y vide upon them into majoriti-s and minpt
: ties. If the minority will not acquiesc
the majority must, or the governm mt mt
: cease. There is no other alternative I
= continuing the government bu, acquiescen
:, on one side or the other.
If a minority in such case will seceC
~ rather than acquiesce, they make pre-,
y dent which in turn will divide and RI
~ them, for a minority of their own will
~ cede from them whenever a majority
y fuses to be controlled by such minority.
nj For instance, why may not any port
he of new confederacy a year or two hel
!. arbitrarily secede again. precisely as a p
ton OF The present Union now claims
sal secede from ii All who cherish disun