The Van Buren press., 1861-03-08

Again. if the United States be not
government proper, but an association oi
States, in the nature of contract merely
can it as q contract be peaccably unmade
unless by consent of all the parties who
made it. One party to the contract may
violate it-break it 30 to speak-but does
it not require all, to lawfully rescind it.
Descending from these general principles
we find the proposition that in legal con-
temptation the Union is perpetuai-con-
firmcd by history itself. The Union Is
much older than the constitutional was
formed in fact by the articles OF association
in 1I74-it was matured and continued by
the declaration Of independence in l776-
| it was further matured on the talth OF all
the then Ii States, expressly plighted and
engaged that it should be perpetual by
the article Of confederation in l17S and
finally in 1889. one OF the declared objects
for ordering and establishing constitution
was to form q more perfect union, by one
or part of the States-but lawfully. pos
sible the Uuion is less than before-the
Constitution having lost the vital element
of perpetuity 1t follows from these views
that no State upon its own mere motion.
resolves or ordinances to that effect, are le-
; gally void and that acts Of violence, within
any State or States against the authority
of the United States are insurrectionary or
revolutionary, according to circumstances
l therefore consider that in view OF the
: Constitution and laws, the Union is un-
broken and to the extent of my ability,
shall take care, as the Constitution itself
,o;u hat tho larS of
the Union be faithfully executed in all the
D States In doing this, deem it to be only
a simple duty on my part and l shall per-
form it SO far as practicable. unless by
righ;ful masters the American people shall
{ Withhold the Necessary means in some author
ative manner direct the contrary.
: trust this will not be regarded as a
! menace but only a declared purpose OF
y union that it will constitutionally defend
y and maintain itself in doing this, there
" need be no bloodshed or violence nor shall
D there be unless it be forced upon the nation
0 al authority. The power confided to me
e will be used to hold, occupy andVpossess tn
. :, property belonging to the Government, col
- Iect duties on imports, but beyond wha
- may be necessary for these objects thor
u will he no using "e force against or among
reople anywhere unless hostility to the l
., 5. in any interior location shall be so gre'
-. and So universal as to prevent coTpe;er
" resident citizens from holding federal offi'
~, es, there will be no attempt to force OF
:" noXious strangers among the people thi
object While the Strict legal right ma
o. exist in the government to enforce the e'
ci ercise Of these offices, the attempt to do !
n" would be to irritating and SO nearly iii
'c practicable withail that l deem
is best TO forego for time the use of sue
ch offices.
IT, The mails, unless repelled will contin
W. to be furnished in all parts of the Unio
~ SO far as possible. the people every whe
a'- shall have that sense of perfect securi
W. which are most favorable to calm thought
and reflections. The course here indicate
in will be followed, unless current events al
at experience shall show a modification
OF change to be proper and in every case al
os- exiyency my best discretion will be exercis
) to cording to circumstances actually existin
I'm sdtJih vs sid hf6s f5aOiss s .Ls L"a" sss.
'he ration OF the fraternal sympathies and ,
oo icctions. That there are persons in O
iei section or another, who seek to destroy t
40 Union at all events. and are glad of q,
lc'' pretext to do 1t, will neither affirm or d
+" ny, but II there be such, need addless
of' word to them. To those, however, WI
.A really love the Union, may l speak befo
~ entering upon SO grave a matter as the d
struction ot our national fabric with all
~ oehehts' Its memories and hopes. Won
- II not oe WISE to ascertain, previously, vi
"y we 40 ana Will hazard desperate st
,1' whiie there Is any possibility that any Dc
~ lon OF the Ills You fly from have no re
"o existence, will you, while the certain il
You ny to are greater than all the real on
Is you ny from. risk the commission of SO feu
Tor iul mistake? All profess to be contc
i've IN the Union. if all constitutional riyh
en- can be maintained. Is it true, then, that u,
'ar right plainly written in thee onstitution ha
. been denied! think not. Happily t
- human mind Is SO constructed that no ma
'Se ~ can reach the audacity of doing th
'se Ihlnk, II you can of single instance
m which plainly written provision of the Co
,rt stitution has ever been denied If by d
fiy mere force OF numbers, majority shall d
ms Prlve minority Of any clearly written co
'h' stitutional right, it may, in a moral poi
IL OF view, justify revolution it certain
IA would, it such right We're vital one. b
'at such Is not our case all the vital rights
IL communities and of individuals are
OF plainly assured to them by aft
rs, native and negotiative guarantees and pr
id hibition in the Constitution, that controye
us sizes nevar arise concerning them but !
IT, organic law can be drawn with provisio
be specifically applicable to every questi,
10 winch may occur to practicable admin
ty tration. No foresight can antic;pate. NJ
ID any document of reasonable length cont,i
ay express provisions for al possible ouestio,
'e. which may arise. Shall fugitives from i
ne Dor be- surrendered to National or Sta
OF aufhcrity-the Constitution does not e,
n, ", Pressiy say May Congress prolil
III slavery in the Territories, the constitute
IL does not expressly say? From auestio,
OF this class spring all our controvers.
no and we divide upon them. into maiori,i
to and minorities-if the minorties and n
ny majorities will not acquiesce, the maiori
must must govern. or the government must ceas
u There is no other alternative for contiuuir
"a. the government. but acquiescence on Il
or one side or the other If minority in sul
n case will sece,le rather than acouise. tn,
ch make PRECEDENT which in turn will d;v;,
OF and ruin them, for a minor;tv or .ho;- 49,.