The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-03-05

ly, can it, as a contract, be peaccably un-
made by less than the parties who made
it? One party TO contract may violate
it, break it, so to speak, but does it not
require all to lawfully rescind it?
! Descending from these general princi-
pies, We find the proposition that in legal
contemplation the Union is indissoluble
virtually confirmed by the history of the
Union itself. The Union is much older
than the constitution. 1t was formed in
fact by the Articles of Association in
1774. 1t was matured and continued
by the Declaration of Independence in
} 1776. 1t was furthered matured, and the
faith of all the then thirteen States ex-
pressly plighted and engaged that it
should be perpetual by the Articles of
Confederation in 1878. And finally in
1889, one of the declared objects for or
daining and establishing the Constitution
was to form more perfect Union by one
or by part only of the States, be law
fully probable, the Union is less than be.
fore the Constitution.
Having lost the vital element of per-
petuity, it follows from these views that
no State, upon Its own mere notion, can
lawfully get out of the Union that re-
solves and ordinances to that effect are
legally void aud that acts of violence
within any States or State against the au-
thority of the United States are insurrec-
tionary OF revolutionary according to cir
} cumstanceS.
| therefore consider that In view of the
Constitution and Laws, the Union is I'M
broken, and to the extent of my ability l
shall take care, as the Constitution ex-
pressly enjons on me that the laws of the
Union be faithfully executed in all the
States. Doing this | deem it to be only
simple duty on my part, and shall
perform 1t so far as practicable, unless
my rightful masters, the American PEG
pie, shall withhold the requisite means
or in some authoritative manner direct to
: the contrary.
| trust this will not be regarded as a
menace, but only as the declared purpose
of the Union that it will constitutionally
protect and maintain itself In doing
this there need be no bloodshed or vic.
lence, and there shall be none unless il
be forced upon the national authority.
The power confded to me will be used
to hold, occupy and possess the property
and places belonging to the government,
TO collect duties on imports, but beyond
what may be necessary for these objects
there wall be no invasion by force against
or among people anywhere where hostil-
ity to the United States in any interior
locality shall be 50 great and so unusal
as to prevent competent resident citizens
from holdin G federal offices.
There will be no attempt to force OBJ
noxious strangers among the people.
That object, while the strict, legal right
may exist in the Government to enforce
the exercise of those offices. the attempt
To 10 SO would be so irritating and so
nearly impracticable withal, that deem
il better TO forego for time the uses Of
such offices.
The mails, unless repealed, will con
tinue TO be furnished in all parts Of the
Union. So far as is possible, the people
everywhere shall have that sense of per-
ble for calm thoughts and reflection.
The course here announced will be
followed unless current events and expe-
rience shall show a modification or change
to be proper, and in every case or ext
gency my best discretion will be exer-
cised according to the circumstances ac-
tually existing, and with a view and a
hope of a peaceful solution of the ma
tional troubles, the restoration of lrater-
nal sympathy and affections. That there
are persons in one section or another who
seek to destroy the Union at all events,
and who are glad of any pretext to do
it, | will neither affirm nor deny, but if
there be such need address no word to
them.
To those who really love the Union,
may not speak ? Before entering upon
SO grave matter as the destruction of
our national fabric with all its benefits,
its memories, and hopes, would it not be
wise to ascertain previously what we do
Will You hazard SO desperate step
while there is any possibility that any
portion of the ills YOU fly from have no
real existence Will you. while the GER
tain ills you flee to are greater than all
the real ones you fly from ?
, Will you risk the commission of so
fearful mistake All profess to be con-
! tent in the Union, if all constitutional
rights can be maintained. Is il true,
then, that any right plainly written in
the constitution has been denied |
think not.
} Happily, the human mind is SO consti-
J tuted that no party can reach TO the au-
! dacity of doing this. Think, ii you can,
} of a single instonce in which plainly
: written provision Of the constitution has
ever been denied.
+ If by the mere force of numbers ma
, jority shall deprive a minority of any
clearly written constitutional right, such
, deprivation would, in moral point OF
view, justify revolution. 1t certainly
would if such right was vital one, but
such is not onr case.
The vital rights of minorities and oil
individuals are not SO plainly assured to
them by affirmation and negations, guar