Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-01-18
For the Oxford Democrat.
Shall We have . Union and . Consti'

Shall We have Q Union and . Cousti.
ton.
In . preceding article the attempt has
been made 70 show what the FREQ States
oush, TO do 10 secure peace and Union.
The two things thought 10 DO necessary
were the repeal Of unconstitutional Libsriy
LAVE and the settlement Of the public Ter
ritories; and ,hs, the latter being . poli'i'
col question should b adjusted by Congress,
either by guaranteeing Freedom North OF
the parallel Of SO degrees /; or BY giving the
inhabitants Of New MEXICO. and Nebraska
the right to form States ., once and BE- ad.
mitted into the Union. This 10 what Con-
gross should do by consent OF tho Eastern,
Middle and Western States This. ono,
done, would necessarily place the question
Of Slavery beyond the roach Of Congres'ion'
al interference and settle Il In . manner al
once just. equal and fair.
But our duty does not end here. We
have something 10 demand. weshould de-
mand that She Consultation a, IL 10 should
be o'~erved-lhat tho laws under IL should
DO obeyei-and that their provisions should
not b. violated. In this. We would demand
only what We would grant. A strict con.
s,ruciion Of tho Constitution 10 our safety
To allow It TO 10 tinkcred and sborn OF it'
elementary principles and rurposes-tc
amend II IN such manner a. TO crush Lib.
erty would DO suicide. destruction and
death. A strict construction OF that 10.
strument In II. true spirit 10 tho unity, life
and health Of the nation. n faithfully OBJ
served IL will carry the nation through 1t,
Prtsen, dangers to ultimate peace and tran.
guilty.
A strict construction Of the Constitution
docs no, admit the idea Of property 10 man.
The word Slave or Slavery or Servi,ude can.
no, be found in It's pages. These words
were purpOsely avoided. Certain "pr.
sons " not Indians or citizens were allowed
a three-Gi,hs representation in Congress.
Certain other "pr,ons held TO service
were required to 10 given Up IL they cea.
ped. Certain "per,oa, " should not b. al.
lowed the privilege Of immigration after q
certain time. These were compromises I,
I. generally conceded, in favor OF s,rvi,ude
and arr provisions Of special favor to elias,
interest. Under the first. the Southern
States hold twenty seat. in Consres-,hc
representatives Of Slaves. II that ip.tru.
men, were now being ormed would it 10
possible TO introduce such q principle
Under the second. freemOn are required 10
-circ. arrest and give up slave. when they
escape. oiiou' q. these things are TO free.
men. q street construction Of the Con',i,u.
ton has required obeiiencs TO them, and
they have been obeyed. let men OF any
party say what they NAV, these provisions
OF the Constitution and tue laws under
them have been n fully and iairly executed
q. any provisions or laws Of the land. The
amount Of property lost in -lA,es by es.ape.
i' n less per cen, than any other property
in the United States. Very few rescue.
have been attempted and \ successful rec.
cue has been very rare while at least three
persons have been kidnapped ~ slaves and
carried captive TO the South who were no.
slaves bu, were entitled to liberty. Bu.
this isl DEPRESSION.
Bot let U. ask u the southern States have
ne clean record in obcyins the Cons,i,u.
tion and laws rs the Free States! Have
they no Sin. OF omission. or commission.
Have they invariably done their duty. Can
they come forward with clean hands and
charge their brethren Of the FREQ States
with all the segrcs.ious and Violations OF
Constitution. and laws7 Let Us give this
subject one moment's attention.
A stric' construction Of tho Constitution
requires that the right OF free speech and a
free press shall no, be abridged. Can any
man roin, to a Free State and say /, ha. Vi,
ola,ei these provisions, Mt with truth.
Bu, no, 50 the South. Daring thirty and
more years various States Of the South
have claimed and exercised che right TO
search the Mail and exclude or destroy such
Pap'r' or pamphlets" any seli-con''l'u.
ted othe''' might deem 'ncend'ary' Ana
Tor many years u has been dangerous Tor q
man 10 southern state 70 say that IN his
belief Free Institutions were p'eic'a''' 10
tor 'uen ""P'e ae''a'a''on
many u" Individual n.' 'e'n e'"S' '''a'
h'' place OF o0''n"'-,enouoeea Is 10 no