Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-03-08

The Union is much older than the Consti-
tuition. 1t was formed, in fact, by the ar
ticlos of association in l776. It was nur-
tured and continued by the Declaration of
Independence in 1916. 1t was further ma
tured, aud the faith of all the then thirteen
States plighted and engaged that it should
be perpetual, by the Articles Of Confedera-
ton, il 1878, and finally, in 1887, one OF
the declared objects for crdaining and es-
tablisnipg the Constitution, was to form a
more perfect Union; bat If the destruction
Of the Union by one, or by part only, OF
the States; be lawfully possible, the Union
is less perfect than befors-the Constitution
having lost the vital element of perpetuity
It follows, from these views, that no State
out of the Union, that passes resolves and
ordinances to that effect, which are legally
void, and that acts Of violence within any
State or States, are insurrectionary or rev.
dictionary according to circumstances.
therefore consider that in view Of the
Constitution and the laws the Union is un-
broken, and to the best of my ability, I shall
ly enjoins upon me, that the la,cs of the u
r,ion be faithfully erecutedi in all the States
Doing this, [ deem it to be simple duty
on my part, and I SHAH perform, 1t, SO far
as practicable. unless my rightful master,
the American people, shall withhold the
requisite means, or, in some authoritative
manner. direct the contrary | trust that
this will not be regarded as a menace, but
only as the declared purpose of the Union
that it will constiutionaly defend and main
tain itself In doing this there need be nc
bioodshed or violence, and there shall be
none unless it be forced upon the National
authority. Tile po;rcr confdedto me avill
be used to hold, occupy, and possess The
property and places belonging to the gou-
ernn,ent, and to collect the duties on imports;
but beyond what may be necessary for these
objects, there will De no invasion, no using
of force against or among the people any
where Where hostility to the United States
in any interior locality, shall be SO great
and so universal as to prevent competen,
resident citizens from holding the Federal
officee, therc will be no attempt to force oh.
noxious strangers among the people for thai
object.
While the strict legal right may exist ii
the Government to enforce the exercise o.
these Offices, the attempt to do SO would be
SO irritating and SO nearly impracticablt
withal. that deem it better to forogo fol
the time the use of such Offices The mails
unless repealed, viii continue to be furnish
cd to all parts Of the Union. as far as posi-
Bile. The people everywhere shall have
that sense of perfect security which is mos
favorable to calm thought and reflection. -
The course here indicated will be followed
unless current events and experience shall
show modification or change to be prop
er. aud in every Gas. and exigeney my hes
discretion will be exercised according to cir
cumstances actually existing. and with thu
view aud ths hope Of a peaceful solution O
the national troubles aud the restoration Q
fraternal sympati,ics and affections.
That there are parsons in one section Of
another who seek to destroy the Union at al
events, and are glad of any pretext, | vii
neither affirm nor deny; but if there be suci
need address no word to thers. Tothose
however, who really love the Union. before
cntering on so grave matter IS the de
struction of our national fabric, with its
benefits, It's memories, aud its hopes, wouo
it not be wise to ascertain precisely why We
do itl Will you hazard so desperate steE
while there is any possibility that any por-
ti"us of the Ills you fly fros.1 have 30 real
existence Will you, while the certain i'll;
you fly 10 are greater than all the ressl cue;
yon fly fronl, will you risk the commission
of so fearful mistake? All profess to be
content in The Union if all constitutions
rights can be maintained. Is i. true, then
that any right plainly written Oh the Con
stitutioH has been denied ? think not -
Happily, the human mind is so constituted
that no party can reach to tbs audacisy o
doing this thing Think, if you can, Of {
single instance in which plainly writer
provision of the Constitution has ever beer
denied IT, by the mere force Of pun,ters
majority should deprive minority of any
clearly written constitutional right, it nigh
i'll moral point Of view. justify revolution
1t certainly would if such right were vita
one. But such is not our case. All the
vital rights Of minorities, and of individuals
are so plaiuIy assured to them By aifilma
ious at.d negatlons. guarantees and prohi-
bitlnns in the Constitution, that controver-
sizes eau never arise concerning them; bul
organic law can never be framed with pro-
Vsion specific lily applicable to every CUES.
ton which may occur in practical admins
tration. No foresight can anticipate, nor
any document Of reasonable length contain,
express provisions for all possible questions
Shall fugitives from justice be surrender.
ed By national or by State authority The
Constitution does not expressly say. May
Congress prohibit slavery in the Territories !
The Constitution does lot expressly say
From questions Of this class spring all our
constitutional controversies. and we divide
upon them into majorities and minorities.
Ii the minority will not acquiesce, the ma
lority must, Or the Government must cease.
There is no other alternative for continuing
the Government but acquiescence on one
side OF the other. If a minority in such a
case will secede rather than acquesce, they
make precedent which, in turn, will d.
vide and ruin them for minority of their
own will secede from them whenever ma
jority refuses to be controlled by euch a
minority. For instance, why may not any
portion of the new Confederacy. year or
two hence, arbitrarily secede again precise
~ as PORTIONS Of the present Union now
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