The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-03-06
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HAS..,Non, no using of force against or ameng
the people anywhere. Where hostility to the
United States, in Sny interior locality, shall
be 80 great, and so universal, as to prevent
competent resident citizens from holding
federal Offices, there will be no attempt to
force obnoxious strangers among the people
that object. While the strict legal right may
exist in the government to enforce the exer-
else Of these Offices, the attempts to do 90
would be SO irritating, and 30 nearly imprac.
able withal, that deem it better to forgo
for some time the use OF such Offices. The
mails, unless repelled, will eontinue to be
furnished in all parts of the Union. So far
as possible the people everywhere shall have
that sense of perfect security which is
most favorable TO calm thoughts and refec-
tion. The course here indicated will be fol.
lowed, unless current events and experience
shall show a modification or change to be
proper and in every case and exigency my
discretion will be exercised according to cir.
camstances actually existing, and with a
view and hope of peaceful solution Of the
national troubles, the restoration Of the fro.
ternal sympathies and affections. That
there are persons in one section or another
who seek to destroy the Union at oil events,
and glad of any pretext to do it, will neith'
er affirm nor deny. Bot if there be such,
need address no words to them. To those,
however, who really love the Union, may
not speak. Before entering upon 80 grave a
matter as the distraction OF our National fab.
rc, with all its benefits, its memories and
hopes, would it not be wise to ascertain
previously why we do! Will you hazard so
desperate a step while there is any possibility
that any portion of the ills you fly from have
no real existence? Will you, while the
certain ills you fly to are greater than all the
real ones you fly from, will you risk the
commission of so fearful mistake! All
profess to be content in the Union if oil
I constitutional rights can be maintained. Il
it true, then, that sny right, plainly written
in the constitution, has been denied!
think not. Happily the human mind is sc
constituted that no party can reach the
srIaGiX AlGtrg this. Think, ifyou can
~ NEceiN whiFr Uptuinty'writ
ri SIX Tths cohstitution has eveI
beefN~ kY,Ns1f, by the mere force of mum
bers, majority shall deprive minority o
any clearly rwitten constitutional right, i
might, in moral point of view justify rev
olu,ion-it certainly would it such figh
were Vita one; but such is not our clse.
All the vital rights OF minorities and o
individuals are so plainly assured TO them b!
sffirmations and legislutions, guarantee
and prohibitions in the Constitution, tina
controversies never arise concerning tbs m
but no organic law can be framed with
provision specially applicable to ever
question which may occur in practical ad
minislration. No foresight can aoticiprt
nor any document OF reasonable length CON
tsin express. provisions for all possible ques
tions. Shall iugilives from labor be surren
dered by national or State authority! Tn
Constitution es not expressly say. M
Congress prohibit slavery in the Territories
t The Constitution does not expressly ssy
Must Congress protect slavery in the terr
, tories? The Constitution does not expre ssi
say. From questions Of this class sprin
al our constitutional controversies, aud W
divide upon them into msjorites and minor
tiles Iftbe minority will not acqui4sce tn
majoriiy must, or the Government mus
caase. There is no ether alternative fo
continuing the Government but acquaiatauc
Ou IbO uHC eluC VI UlHCt. Al q
in such case will secede rather than acqui
esce they make precedent which in tur
will divide and ruin them, for minority {
their own will secede from them wheneve
a majority refuses to be controlled by sue
a minority. For instance, why may not an
portion Of a new CoDederacy a year or tw
hence arbtrerily secede again precisely q
portions of.the- present Union now claim
seaede5 SOLE iLSiho- cherish dsunio
n y BENJAMIN PAGE, Js.sa Jsss :, % "
u MANUFAoTURINa
:. Slit-s~osxpnzv-k;Si..- Si..-ssyStS Il Aft4AAas:sfg.
It 10 produce harmony only and prevS
hewed secession! Plainly, the centras s>-
| of secession ia the essence of anarchy:
! majority held in restraint by constitutions
) checks and Limitations, and always chang
ing easily with the deliberate changes {
} popular opinions and sentiments, is the onl
true sovereign of free people. Whoeve
) rejects it does of necessity fly to anarchy c