Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-02-28
The Constitution and the Union.

The Constitution and the Union.
One of the chief pnnks in the Chicago plat
form, and one kuowledged and avowed as
leading article in tie Republican creed, Is the
defence Of the Constitution and the Union
The solemn oath of Office administered to the
President upon assuming the duties OF the
Government, is to support the Constitution, and
faithfully fulfil the duties Of the Office II
President Lincoln does not intend to do this,
he will never take the oath and II he does
take the oath, then he has nothing to fear, and
with an overwhelming power to back and pro-
tcct him, be will not only support the ConstItu'
ton, but maintain the Union and execute the
Laws. His speeches show him The man for the
occasion show him to be the fearless defender
of Republican principles and that he trusts in
an overriding Power who yields the destnes
of al Nations for His own good purpose. lie
plainly Tells us that nothing will be done con-
trary to the spirit Of the Constitution, but that
that, and the rights of the States, and the
Union, will be mo intancd
The manner in which he will do this is as
plain as A. b. G.. We DO not need to wish to
ask what it will be, or precisely how it will be
done The manner of doing this i, plainly
pointed out in that Instrument framed and sub
scrbed to as the bond of this Union. He will
enforce the laws. What is the enforcement of
che laws. Why il 10 t6e FEntecIion Of the
Country, the property OF the General Govern
ment against all outside or inside attacks, and
the outstanding of its resources the collection
of It's revenues, and the defence of his harbors
and eoasts.
We do not believe that the Constitution
abridgos the right of free speech in man, a
town or State. A State may make all the
internal regulations it pleases, not conflicting
with what il deputed to the General Govern
ment 1t gay band with another or other
States, and elect one or two Governors, one or
two Commissioners, may lave dozen Confer
ence3, may have no Governor or Legislature at
all, or one all the tine for lie, OF for a month
it may resolve and re-Yssolye itself out or into
the Union or anything else except waging war
upon the United States, or giving aid and
comfort to the enemies OF the Country. But
when State siezes upon United States proper.
by, bought and paid for by common currency,
and appropriates it to its own USE that is con-
trary to the laws of tho Government and the
Constitution, and if the President fears God
he will never take the oath of Office until he IL
fully determined to keep possession of and de-
fcnd what property the United States have got,
and re take whatever of its property has been
taken possession of by traitors or lawless mar
auders. We do not expect u war we do not
want ii but we should justify man in taking
possession, pcaccably if possible, forcbly if nee.
essary, Of his property, wherever he can find it,
and we believe that the President, as Presi-
dent, will be justified in doing the same thing,
and We believe that he will do it. He will rem
der to Caesar the things which are Caesars, but
to God the things which are Gods.
South Carolina cannot set up for herself and
collect revenues on her own hook. The right
of her territory and public thoroughiares is not
hers but the property Of the General Govern
ment. If the Government wishes to sell any
part of her territory, or any of her rights, to u
foreign Nation, or to individuals, she can do
80 but gold not force, must buy from Uncle
Sam. We believe that Uncle Sam will main
tain the possession OF the Forts, and collect rev.
onues the same in the Southern States as in
NV York and Boston but il the Southern
States do not wish to be represented at Wash
ington, do not wish Tor postal arrangements,
why, they need not have thcm-we shall not
trouble them. Weare not going down there TO
interfere IN any manner with their State policy,
until il conflicts with or ressts the action of
the General Government in the regular dis
charge of It's duties. These States are WELDON q
to their own property, bat not to ours, wei.
come TO their own State taxation, but not Ia
collect our resenues. II u matter easy