The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-09-28

matters now stand, would he becoming g
And Third. Whether the Chief Executive
aud people of the United States have any
duty to discharge under their Constitution,
so single, obvious, and absolute, as that OF
inf1rxb'y beating the rebellion down? A
few sentences on each Of these points, and my
task is ended.
l. In the first place then fellow. citizens,
frankly be il said, there cannot he found in
the sacred instrument OH which my COM
mentS have been made one word giving war
rant by any process for its own cXtinction.--
II was not born to die. No functiunary. no
State; ITO Congress no combination of COM
mnnitlcs or individuals is authorized to
mutllate the Union. or kill the Constitution.
That is crime which, like panicide in
Solon S day, is treated as incoDceivable.-
We hear often Of conventions, consultations
conferences and compromises they are the
vague and Hut tering devices of anxious phil
anthropy ; but, unless the Fifth Article had
been strictly pursued, which VIC all know
now to be impossible, cXpedcnts are utterly
inapp.icable and fruillcss. For. remember,
this provision mot, in fact, designed 10 des-
troy, but to strengthen enunciates the
necessity. before the slightest alteration can
be attempted that first, tWo. thirds, of both
Houses of Congress shall unite in proposing
it; or. second, that the Legislatures of iuo-
thirds Of the several States shall apply for q
General Convention, and third, that what
ever change may be contemplated, whether
by two-thirds Of both Congressional Cham
bcrs or by two-thirds of the State Legisa-
lures. must wholly fail. unless it be suisse
quenlly ratified by the Legislatures or Con-
ventioms Of three fourths of the States. The
mere recital shows the futility, if not imprac-
ticabiity. into which the tempcstous cause
of events have paralyzed this article. No
f,llow- citizens, you have not the power to
abandon your Constitution.
2. But if you had that power, what then
Need say that, without being recrcant to
all your antccedents, Its exercise is precluded
by the boasted attitude and armor of those
who demand it! The towering front of
armed and contune.ious rebellion is not the
presence in which concession is possible. -
Give up tho Constitution, rupture the Union,
burn the archives Of your glorious history
and open wide the flood gates of disaster
upon the country, if such can be your choice,
but never do it in subservient meckness to
envcnomcd oppToblum, or while listening to
the roar of our enemy's cannon. The Stigma
of an act 80 grovelling. dastardly and degener-
ate as that so utterly un-Amciican-wo
cover us for ages as with a poisoned pail.
Fellow citizens: There are formidable bat.
tcrics frownng at Manassas behind them
CLEAN undiscriminatng hatred and scorn,
sharpening every sword and speeding bullet
we would cease 10 be men if We crouched
to either.
3. In this war there is really no alternative
for loyal Constitutlonallsts. In the explicit
language of the unanimously adopted resolu-
ton of Mr.. Cnttcndrn, it was FORCED upon
the Government of the United States
Retrospective narrative, therefore, would be
alike tedious and useless. 1t is on our hands.
We see it, hear it. feel it. Our fathers,
brothers, and sons are falling in hecatombs,
sacrificed to its fury. Every breeze comes
laden with It's changing incidents, its alarms,
its hopes, its slooms. its taunts, its cheers
its covert Staying, and its open struggles. g.
The gates Of Janus are expanded WIDE No
room now let for soothing words Of romon.
STRANGE. Fight We must: fight a L 0utrdnce
those whom we have heretofore fostered and
taught how to fight. Drive them from thei,
infatuated and parricidal purpose of destroy.
ing their own country; and pause only whe,
that country its Union and Constitution, ar,
inaccessible to outrage.
| No doubt. fellow citizens. no doubt thl:
contest must lead to great effuSion Of blood
to vast expenditure, to alterations of victory
and discontinue, and to an immense aggre
gate of suffering. Such have been the conse
qucnccS Of civil wal at aall times and wher
ever il has burst forth.
l.! must be confronted with a stern ant
steady gaze. Every sincw should be braccd
and, if necessary, while the country is il
peril. every heart in every bosom, every dol
lar in every purse. every drop in every vein
be held at its service.
When we Shall have thus done all that
great people can and onght to do to rescue
from insuIgent violence the American Union
involving as it docs the safety, order. liberty
and peace of countless millions, then will TIT
shades Of our venerated sircs smile upoi
thcirsons, and I've may look confidently t.
Just Heaven for success