The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-03-21

Union, heretofore, only menaeed, IS 20"
fo~rmidably attempted. | hold that III
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 fundament-
al law of all National Governments 1t
is safe to assert that no Government
proper ever had a provision IN lis organ
ic law for its own termination. Contin-
ne to execute all the express provisions CT
our National Constitution, and the Union
will endure forever, it being impossible
to DESTROY it except by some action not
provided for in the iDstru Hent ITSELF
Again, if the United States be not a
government proper, but an association OF
States in the nature Of a contract merely,
can it as a contract be peaceabIy unmade
by less than all the parties who made 1t.
One party to a contract may violate II,
break 1t, 50 to speak. but docs it not re.
quire all to lawfully rescind it? De
scending from these general principles,
We fnd the proposition that in legal con
temptation, the Union is perpetual, con-
6rmed by the history of the Onion itself.
The Union is much older than the Con
stitution. 1t was formed, in fact, by the
articles of association in IVA. 1t was
maturcd and continued in the Declara,
ton of Independence in l716. 1t was
further maturcd, and the faith Of all the
then thirteen States expressly pliShted
and engaged hat it should be perpetual
by the Articles Of Confederation in l11S.
and finally in 1887, one Of the declared
objects for ordaining aud establishing the
Constitution was to form a more perfect
Uuion. But if the destruction Of the
Union By one or BY a part only of the
States be lawfully possible, the Union is
less than before, the Constitution having
lost the vital element of perpetuity. 1t
follows from these views that no State,
upon its own mere motion, can lawfully
get out Of the Union that resolves and
ordinances to 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 rev
olltionary, according to circumstances
!, therefore, consider that in view Of the
Constitution and the laws, the Union is
unbroken. and, to the extent Of my abil-
itv, | shall take care, as the Constitution
itself expressly e%njoius upon ne, that the
laws of the Union be faithfully executed
in all the States. Doing this | deem to
be only a simple duty Oh my part. |
shall perfectly perform it 50 far as Is
practicable, unless my liGllful uIa>tcr>.
the American peonIe shall withhold the
rcquisition, OF III some authoritative man
ner direct tie contrary. trust this viii
not be regarded as Il menace, but only as
the declared purpose Of the Union, that
it will cons,ilutionaliy defend aud main
tain itself. In doing this there need be
no bloJdshed or violence, and there Shall
be none unless i is forced upon the Ma
,ioual authority. The power cCnhded to
me will be used to hold, occupy aud pos
scss the property and places belonging to
the Government, and collect the duties
and imports, but beyond. what Ray be
necessary for these objects, there viii be
no invasion, no using IF tolce against OF
among the people anywhere. Where
hostility to the United States shall be 81
great aid so universal as to prevent CON.
petent resident citizens from holding tie
Fedora, Offices, there will be 10 attempt
to force obnoxious strangers among the
people that object. While the strict lie.
gal right may exist of the Government
to enforce the exercise Of these Offices
the attempt TO do so would be so i%rritat.
inc aud SO nearly impracticable witha!
that | deem it better to forcgo loi the
time the uses Of such officers. The
mails, unless repealed. viii continue to be
furnished in ali parts Of the Union. Sc
far as possib e, the people everywhere
shall have that sense Of perfect security
which is most favorable to calm thought
and reflection. The course here IndicaJ
ed will be followed, unless current events
and experience shall show a modification
or change to be proper, and in every case
and c~xigency my best discretion will be
exercised accordingly to the c]ircumstan.
ccs actually existing, aud with a view
and hope Of a peaceful SOLUTION Of the
rational troubles and the restoration OF
fraternaI sympathies aud atlections.-
That there are persons in Que section OF
another who seek to destroy the Union al
ali events, ard are glad of any pretext &c
do it, [ will neither affirm nor deny
But, if there be such, | need address nc
WORD to thcm. TO those, however, whe
really love the Union, may | not speak
Before entering upon SO grave a matter as
the destruction of our national fabmc witt
all It's benefits, its memories, and It's hopes
would 1t not be we'll to ascertain why We
do It? Will you hazard so desperate
step while any portion Of the Ills you fly