Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-03-07

Il LIZ. It was matureQ anu Continued DY
sha Declaration of Independence in I76.-
C was further ratured and the faith of all
the then thirteen States expressly rIlghsed
and engaged that it should be perpetual by
the articles of confederation in IT'S.
And finally, In 1877 one of the declared OBJ
jects for ordaining and establishing the Con-
stitution was to form more perfect Union,
but if destruction of the Union bv one or by
part only of the States be lawfully possible,
the Union is less than before, the Constitu-
ton having lost the vital element of perpe-
tuity; it follows from these views that no
State upon its own mere motion can lawfully
get out Of the Union that resolves and or
dinances 10 that effect are legally void and
that acts of violence within any State or
States against the authority of the United
States are insurrectionary or revolutionary &C
! cording to circumstances.
| therefore consider that In view of the
! Constitution and laws, the Union is unbroken,
/ and to the extent of nv ability shall take
! care, as the Constitution itself expressly en-
! Joins on me, the laws of the Union be faith.
! fully executed in all the States. Doing this,
deem to be only a simple duty on my part.
and | shall perform it so far practicable
unless my rightful masters, the American
people, shall withhold the requisite means or
in some authOritiVe manner direct the con-
trary. | trust this will not be regarded as a
menace, but only as 4 declared purpose of the
| Union that it will constitu tionallY defend
and maintain itself. In doing this, there need
be no bleodshed or violence and there shall
| be none unless ii be fO reed upon the Nation.
al authority. The power conided to me will
be used to hold, occupy and possess the pro.
perty and places belonging to the Government,
and to collect duties aud imposts, but beyond
what may be necessary for these objects there
will be no invasion, no using of force against
or among people anywhere. Where hostility
to the United States in any interior locality
shall be so great and universal as to pre-
vent competent resident citizens from holding
federal Offices. there will be 10 attempt to
force obnoxious strangers among the people
for that object. While the strict legal right |
may exist in the government TO enforce the ez-
er else Of these Offices; the attempt TO do so
would be so irritating and so nearly impTac I
ticable, with2l that / deem it better to fore /.
go for time, the uses Of such Offices.
The mails unless rePelled: viii continue to be fur
The people everywhere shall have that sense of per-
feet security which are most favorable to calm /.
thoughts and reflection The course here Indicated
win be followed unless events and experience
shall allow modification change 10 be proper. and
in e;erv case ami exigcncy nv bst dscrtor viii lie
exercised ACCORDING 10 circumstances actually exiS-
uug. and with a view ana q hope OF the peaceful [
solution of the National troubles and the restoration
Of raternal sympatties and affections. That there
parsons III section another who seek de- I
trL the Tpion Al All events and are Glad of any rra
do IT, Will neither affirm deny; but if there
be such, need address word to them. To those |
who ealIy love the Union. may not speak, Before
national fabric, all it, benefits, it, memories and
hopes; would it not be wise ascertain precisely [
why do il; viii you hazard 80 dangerous q step I
while there l. any possibility that any portion Of the
ills you fly from have real existence; will yo while
YOU fly from. will you risk the commission of
fearful mistake? All profess to be content within !
ed l. IL then. that any right plainly written IN
the Constitution has been deIiedl think not. Hap
PLY the human mind Is 80 constituted that party
reach the aUdacity of doing this. Think If you
Of single instance in which plainly written pro
vision of the Constitution has ever been denied. II
by mere force oI mum majority siioio uePFFe
a minority Of any clearly Constitutional right, il mig gh
- ,r,-IJ ri,,(, rar ri,., Crc mn ,rcb
tany Wou!o u euSii tsHt were VITA one. but sucI
All the vital rights 0f mnoritics and
of individuals plainly assured them, by air
nations and negatlons' guarantees and prohibitions
the Constitution that controversies never
cernnS !l!eHi n no =! CANT -" C.Ll G L'lir' t
provision speclncay tPPu,t'He 70 ever! question |
which may IN practical administration. No fore
sight can antlclpate nor any docuIeit oI TeisohaI!e
length contain express provisions Tor all possible
questions Shall fngitives from labor be surrendered
by national or state authortyt Inc d"es
not expressly say: May congress Prohlot slavery IN |
the TeTrtories The Constitution does not expressly /
say. Must Congress protect slavery IN the Ierrto-
riesl The Constitution does not expressly say From
questions Of this class spring all our national cOnro
Tersies, and we divide upon them into naiorities and
majority must. or the government must cease.
There Is other alternative for continuing the gov
cr If minority in such case will secede rather than
acquesce, they make precedent which IN turn will d
cede from them whenever a majority refuses to be |
controlled by such minority. For instance, Why /
may not any portion OF new eoniederacy year or |
two hence, arbitrarily secede again, precisely pcr
tons of the present Union claim to secede from
it. All who cherish dIsun!on sentiments are now be-
ing educated to the exact temper of dong this. Is
there such perfect identity OF interests among tile
States to compose new Union as 10 produce harmo-
nv only. and prevent renewed secessonl Plainly The
central idea of secession j. the essence Of anarchy
majority held IN restraint by constitutional checks
and limitations and always changing easily with the
deliberate changes of popular OPINIONS and sentiments
i tho only true sovereign of free people Whoever
rejects it does of necessity fly TO anarchy despo
ism. Tnanmity Is impossible. The rule Of mInorl-
" a. permanent gementis wholly inadmissable
So that rejecting the majority principle, anarchy and
,iespotisu in some form, is al that is left. do not
forget the position assumed by some that constitution
al Questions are be decided by the Supreme Court
nor do deny that such decisions must be binding in
any case upon the parties 70 st g 20 the 9teet o
Tt and consideration in all parallel cases by al 9TH
o., apartments q the government; and while Il Is Oh
yiousiy possible hat such decision may be erroneous
in arv given case sill the Ell. effect foloWngi il be
Rat il NAV be overru ed and never become Prece-
dent for others better be borne than could the
evils of a different prar nee.
~ the same time tue candid citizen must confess
that if the poity OF the government upon vital ques-
tons affecting the whole people Is to be irrevocably |
fixed by decisions Of the supreme Court the instant
they are made in ordaG.y litigation between parties
Ia personal actions tn people will have ceased to be
their own rulers having that practically re-
signed Their government INTO the hands OF that ell-
naut tribunal is there in this view any assautUp-
ON the Court or the Judges it isa duty from winch
they NAV not shrink to decide cases properly brought
before them and it IS fault of theirs # others seek
to turn their decisions TO political purposes one sec
ton of our country believes slavery right and ought
10 be extended while the other believes is wrong,
and ought not to be extended This IS the only sub
stsutia dispute the fugitive slave clause Of the Con
stution and the law Tor the suppression Of the for
egu slave trade each as well enforced perhaps as
any law he in q community where the moral
sense of the people imperectly supports the law It
self the great body of the people abide by the dry e
raI obligation in both cases and few break over IN
each: this l think be perfectly cured, and 1t
would be in both cases after the separation q
both sections than before.
The foreign slave trade now nnperfecty suppressed
would he ultimately revived without restriction IN one