The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-03-06

ernments. II is safe to assert that gov
eminent proper neyor had n provision in
its organic law for its own termination
Continue to execute all the express pro-
visions of our national constitution, and
the Union will endure forever, il being inn
possible to destroy it except by some ac-
ton not provided for in the instrument it
self.
Again, if the United States be not
government proper, but an association OF
States in the nature Of a contract merely,
can it, as a contract, be peacefully unmade
by less than all the parties who made it
One party TO a contract may violate it
break it so to speak; but does it not re-
quire all TO lawfully roscind it?
Descending from these general princi-
pies, we find the proposition that in legal
contemplation the Union is perpetual,c con
frmed by the history of the Union itself.
The Union is much older than the con-
stitution. 1t was formed, in fact, by the
articles of association in IVA. 1t was
matured and continued by the Declara-
ton of Independence in l776. 1t was
further matured, and all the then thirteen
States expressly plighted and engaged
that it should be perpetual, by the arti-
Giles of confederation in 177S; and finally
in 1887 one of the declared objects for
ordaining and establishing the constitu-
ton was TO form n moro perfect Union.
[If withdrawal by one or by part only
of the States be lawfully possible, the
Union is less than before, the constitution
having lost the vital element of perpetui-
ty. 1t follows from these views that no
State, on its own nero motion, can law
fully get out OF the Union; that resolves
and ordinances to that effect are legally
void; and that acts of violence within
any States or State against the authority
of the United States are revolutionary
according TO circumstances. therefore
consider that, in view of the constitution
and laws, the Union is unbroken, and 10
the extent of my ability shall take care,
rs the constitution itself expressly enjoins
on me, that the laws of the Union be
faithfully executed in all the States. Do
ing this deem TO be ouly simple duty
on my part and shall perform it so far
as practicable, unless my rghtful masters,
the American people, shall withhold the
requisite means, or, in some authoritative
manner, direct the contrary. | trust this
will not be regarded rs menace, but on
ly as declared purpose of the Union
that it will constitutonally defend and
maintain itself. In doing this there need
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
and possess the property and places be-
longing to the general government; TO
collect duties on imports; 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 so universal as TO prevent competent
resident citizens from holding federal of
fees, there will be no attempt TO TO force
obnoxious strangers among the people for
that object. While the strict legal right
may exist in lhe government to enforce
the exercise of these offices, the attempt
TO do so would be so irritating, and so
nearly impracticable withal, that | deem
it better to forcgo for time the uses Of
such offices.
The mails, unless repealed, will contin-
ue TO be furnished in all parts of the
Union. So far as possible the people ev-
erywhere shall have that sense of perfect
security which is most favorable to calm
thoughts and reflection. The course here
in indicated will be followed unless cur
rent events and experience shall show a
modification or change to be proper, and,
in every case and exigency, my best dis
erection will be exercised according to cir
cumstances actually existing and with a
view and hope of . peaceful solution Of
the national trouble, and the restoration
OF fratenal sympathy and affection.
That there are persons in one section
or another who seek TO destroy the Union
at all events, and are glad of any pretext
to do it, ! will neither affirm nor deny
but, if there be such, l need address nc
word to them. To those, however, who
really love the Union, may I not speak
, Before entering upon SO grave matter
rs the destruction of our national fabric
with ali its benefits, its memories and
hopes, would it not be wise to ascertain
previously why we do it9 Will you haz
ard so desperate a step while there is any
possibility that any portion of the i'll:
you fly from have no real existence 3
Will you, while the certain ills you fly tc
are greater than all the real ones you fly
from-will you risk the commission of SC
fearful mistake? All profess TO be con
: tent in tho Union if all constitutions
! rights can be maintained. Is it true, then
, that any right plainly written in the con
stitution has been denied? / think not
{ Happily, the human mind is so constitut
: cd that no party can reach to the audaci
/ ty of doing this. Think, if you can, o
a single instance in which plainly writ
/ ten provision of the constitution has ev
or been denied. II, by the mere force O