The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-03-08

law for the enforcement OF tnat clause III INC
constitution which guarantees that the cltl-
Gems of each state shall be entitled to all the
privileges and immunities of citizens OF the
several states? o.,
take the official oath to-day with no men,
tai reservations and with no purpose to con-
strue the constitution or laws by any hyper
critical rules. and while do not choose now
70 snecify particular acts of Congress as prop
er to be enforced, l do suggest that it will be
much safer for all, both in official and private
stations, to conform to and abide by all those
acts which stand unrepealed than to violate
any of them, trusting to find IMMUNITY IN
having them held to be unconstitutional.
THE UNION PERPETUAL.
1t is seventy-two years since the first lnau-
guration of president under our national
constitution. During that period fifteen dit
ferent and greatly distinguished citizens have
in succession administered the executive
branch of government. They have conduct
ed it through many perils, and generally with
great success. Yet, with all this scope for
precedent, now enter upon the same task,
for the brief constitutional term of four
years, under great and peculiar difficulty. A
disruption of the Federal Union, heretofore
only menaced, is now form;dably attempt
ed.
hold that in contemplation of universal
law, and of the constitution, the union OF
these states is perpetual. Perpetuity is i'm
piled, if not expressed, in the fundamental
law of all national governments. 1t is safe
to assert that no government proper ever
had provision in its organic law for It's own
termination. Continue to execute all the ex-
press provisions of our national constitution,
and the Union will endure forever, it being
impossible to destroy it except by some &C
ton not provided for in the instrument it.
self.
Again, if the United States be not gov
eminent proper, but an association OF states
in the nature of a contract merely can it as
contract be peaceably unmade by less than
all the parties who made it One party 70
a contract may violate or break it, SO to
speak, but does it not require all to lawfully
rescind it?
Descending from these general principles.
We find the proposition that, in legal contem-
plation, the Union is much older than the
constitution. 1t was formed in fact by the
article of association in l7774. 1t was matured
and continued by the Declaration of indie
pendence in l71776. 1t was further matured
and the faith of all the then thirteen states
expressly plighted and engaged that i: should
be perpetual. BY the articles of confederation
in l77S, and finally in 1887.
One of the declared objects for ordalnng
and establishing the constitution was to form
NOR. perfect Union but if destruction OF
the Union by one or by par: Onl of the
states be lawfully possible, the Union is less
than before the constitution, having lost the
vital element of perpetuity.
SECESSION INsURRECTIoNARy-THE UNION IN
RRoKEN-THE LAWS WILL BE EXECUTED.
1t follows from these views that no state
upon its own mere motion can lawfully get
out Of the Union-that resolves and Ordl-
nances to that effect are legally void, and
that acts ofviolence within any state or states
against the authority OF the United States,
ing to circumstances.
therefore consider that in view of the
: constitution and the laws, the I Mon is un-
broken, and to the extent of my ability
shall take care, AS the constitution itself ex-
pressIy enforces upon me, that the laws OF
the Union be faithfully executed in all the
states. Doing this deem to be only SIM
pie duty on my part, and | shall perform il
so far as practicable, unless my rightful mas
, tiers, the American people, shall withhold the
requisltion o: in some authoritative manner
direct the contrary.
BLOODslIED UNNECESSARY.
trust this will not be regarded as a men
ace, but only as the declared purpose of the
Uncn, that it will const,utionaliy defend and
maintain itself. In doing this there needs to
> be no boodshel or violence, and there shall
be none unless it be- forced upon the nation
al authority.
THE FORTS To BE HELD AND TIE REVENUE
COLLECTED, But No INVASION.
The power confded to me will be used to
} hold, occupy and possess the property and
, places belonging to the government, and col
? lect the duties and imposts ; but. beyond
! what may be necessary for these objects
J., there will be no invasion, no using of force
: against or among the people anywhere.
: THE FEDERAL OFFICES IN THE DISTURBED
STATES
e Where hostility to the United States il
e any interior territory shall be SO great and 81
5 universal as to prevent competent resden
$ citizens from holding the federal Offices ther,
t will be no attempt to force obnoxious stran
i gers among people that object. While tn,
i strict legal right MAY exist for the govern
! ment to enforce the exercise of these offices
r the attempt to do so would be SO irritating
!. and 40 nearly impracticabe wi,hal, that
0 deem it better to torego for the time the use
n of such offices.
POSTAL FACILITIES TO Be CONTINUED
! The mails, unless repelled will contiau
l. to be furnished in all parts of the Union s.
J. far as possible. The people e, everywhere sha
l. have that sense Of perfect security which i
r most favorable to calm thought and rehee
2 ton.
% The course here indicated will be followe
unless current events and experience sha
l. show modification or change to be proper
and in every case and exigency my best d.:
erection will be exercised according to circun
= stances actually existing, and with view an
- hope to a peaceful solution of the nations
II trouble and the restoration of fraternal svn
s. pathies and affections.
70 APPEAL FOR THE UNION.
% That there are persons in one section O
or another who seek to destroy the Union at a
III events, and are glad of any pretext to Go i
N | will neither affirm nor deny, but if Their
u should be such need address no word t
them. To those, however, who really Low