Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-03-13

the Government" 10 say the least Of it, this is
euuiyocal language | am not gong TO condemn
him for it my present object is not to censure OUT
tn ascertain the true meaning OF the inaugural, III
order to learn whether the Administration IS COM
mitted to an aggressive policy, which must inevita-
bly involve us in civil war, or to peaceful solution
of our national troubles. He says further, out
beyond what may be necessary for these oo)eclS,
there will be no invasion, using OF force against
or among the people anywhere" He Will use the
power confded to him to hold, occupy, and possess
the forts and other property, and to collect the
revenue; but beyond these objects he will not use
that power. am unable to understand the pro-
priety of the distinction between enforcing the
revenue laws and all other laws If 1t is MS Guty
to enforce the revenue laws, why IS It not MS uuy
to enforce the other laws of the landY what rlSht
has he to say that he will enforce those laws mat
enable him to raise revenue, to levy and collect
taxes from the people and that he will not enforce
the laws which protect the rights of persons ana
property to the extent that the Constitution corners
the power in those States? reject the dlstnctoh'
it cannot be justified in law or IN morals. IL taxes
are 20 be collected and the revenue laws are to DC
enforced the laws that afford protection. as coih
pensation for the taxes, must also be enforced -,
The next paragraph is also Objectionable. VIII
read it:
Where hostility to the United States in any interior To-
cay shall be great and universal as TO prevent cope
tent resident from holding the federal offices there
will be no attempt to obnoxious strangers among the
neopIe for that object While the legal right may
exist in the enforce the exercise OF these Of
6ces the attempt To do so would be irritating and
nearly impractcible wtha deem 1t better 10 fOrego o
the time the uses of such offices.
rejoice to know that he will not attempt to force
obnoxious strangers to hold office IN the interior
places where public sentiment is hostile; but why
draw the distinction between "interoT localities
and exterior places Why the distinction between
the States in the interior and those upon the sea-
board? If he has the power in the one case, ne mas
it in the other if it be his duty in the one case 1t
is his duty in the other. There is no provision oil
the Constitution or the laws which authorizes dlS-
tinction between the places upon the sea-ooard ana
the places in the interior.
This brings me to the consideration OF another
clause in the message which | deem the most i'm
portant of all, and the key to his entire policy.
reioced when read this declaration, and wish to
invite the attention of the Senate to 1t especially as
showing concusively that Mr.. Lincoln stands pedg-
ed to that policy which will lead to peaceful sOlu-
tion and against every policy that leads to the con-
trary. will read the paragraph:
"The course here indicated will b. followed unless
and experience shall show modification or
change To be prape and in every case and exleney my
best discretion will be exercised according TO the
stances actually existing, and with view and hope al
peaceful solution of the national troubles and the resur
tiOn of fraterual sympathies and affections
After indicating the line of policy which he would
pursue if consistent with the peace Of the country
he tells us emphatically that that will be fol-
lowed unless notifications and changes should be
necessary to peaceful solution of the national trOu
bleS and if in any case or exigency change of poll
ey should be necessary it will be made with view
and hope of peaceful solution" In other words
if the collection OF the leads to peaceful
solution it to be collected if the abandonment of
that policy is necessary to peaceful solution the
is not to be collected; if the rccapture of
Fort Moutrie would tend to peaceful solution, he
stands pledged to recapture it; if the recapture
would tend to violence and war, he is pledged not
to Iecapture it if the enforcement OF the laws IN
the seeding States would tend to facilitate peace
full solution, he is pledged to their endorsements if
the omission to enforce those laws would best faci
tate peace, he is p dyed to omit to enforce them;
if maintaining possession of Fort Sumter would IA
cilitate peace he stands pledged to retain its posses
sion; if on the contrary, the abandonment of Fort
Sumter and the withdrawal of the troops would IA
cilitate peaceful solution, he is pledged TO abandon
the fort and withdraw the troops.
Sir, this is the Only construction that | can put
upon this clause If this be not the true nterpre-
taton, for what purpose was it inserted? The line
Of policy that he had indicated stated vaguely;
but there is not pledge to use coercion; there
is not a pledge to retain fort; there Is not
pledge to recapture an arsenal; there is not
pledge to collect revenue; there not pledge to
enforce the laws unless there attached TO each the
condition; and the condition is, that he will DO it
only when that course tends to peaceful solution
OF the national troubles and that he will not do it
in any where it does not tend to peaceful
luton.
submit then, to the Senate whether the friends
of peace have not much to rejoice at in the inaugu
raj address of the President. 1t is a much more
conservative document than had anticipated. 1t
is much more pacific and conciliatory paper than
| had expected | would not venture the express
sion OF an opinion upon 1t on hearing 1t delivered
until had carefully examined and Analysed it. AZ
ter examination, am clearly Of the opinion that the
Administration stands pledged by the inaugural to
peaceful solution of all difficulties to do act
that leads to war; and to change its policy just
often and whenever change is necessary to preserve
the peace
So much, sir for the policy of the Administration
Now few words upon the Presidents views o. the
present difficulties and the remedies for those diff
cultes. In a manner peculiar to himself and to his
usual course of argument he proceeds to show, first
what did not produce the trouble. Let us see what
did not do it.
"All profess to be content in the UnOn E all constitu
tona rights be maintained Is true then. that any
right plainly written in the Constitution has been denied?
think not. Happily the human mind is constituted
that no party reach to the audacity of doing this
Think, if you cam of single instance in which plainly
written provision of the Constitution has been denied
II by the force of numbers majority should deprive
minority of any clear Jwriten constitutional right,
might IN moral point of view, justify revelation; certain
y would such right were vital one. But such is not
our case"
Here we are told that these difficulties have not
grown out of the violation of any express provision
of the Constitution they have not arisen from the
denial of any right guaranteed by an express prov-
sion. He then proceeds to show what is the cause
of the trouble. Here it is:
But organic law ever be framed with provision
specifically applicable to question which may occur
in practical administration No foresight anticipate,
nor any document OF reasonable length contain express
provisions for all possible questions Shall fugitives from
labor be surrendered by national by State authority p?
The Constitution does not expressly say May Congress
prohibit slavery in the Territories? The Constitution does
not expressly say Must Congress protect slavery in the
Territories? The Constitution does not expressly say
From questions Of this class spring all constitutional
controversies, and divide upon them majores and
| mnortes."
From questions of this class" spring all our
troubles. What class? The attempt of Congress
to exercise power on the slavery question where