The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-03-07

Spcdh3 -Out uOeS IL uOC require all u
lawfully rescind it? Descending from
these general principles, we find The
proposition that in legal contemplation
the Union is perpetual, confirmed BY
the history of the Union ITSELF The
Union is much older than the Constitu
ton. 1t was formed, in fact by the
articles of association in 1774. 1t was
matured and continued by the Declar
alton OF Independence in 1875; it was
further matured and the faith of al
the then . thirteen States expressly
plighted and engaged that itshould be
perpetual, by the articles of confedera.
ton in 177s, and finally in 1887, one Of
the declared objects for ordaining and
establishing the Constitution, was to
form more perfect Union. If secession
by one or by part only of the States, be
lawfully possible the Union is less bind.
ingthan before the Constitution, having
lost the vital element of perpetuity? II
follows from these views that no State
upon its own mere motion can lawfully
get out of the Union; that resolves
and ordinances to that effect are legal.
| ly void, and that acts of violence with.
in any State or States, against the au.
thority of the United States, are insur-
rectionary or revolutionary, according
to circumstances. / therefore consider
that in view of the Constitution and
laws, the Union is unbroken, and to
the extent'of my ability, / shall take
care, as the, Constitution itself express
~ enjoins on me; that the laws of the
Union be faithfully executed in all the
States. Doing this, / deem to be only
SIMPLE duty on my part, and shall
perform it so far as practicable, unless
my rlghtful masters, the American PEG.
pie, shall withhold the requisite means,
or in some authoritative manner direct
the contrary. / trust this will not be
regarded as a menace, but only de
clared purpose of the Union that it will
constitutionally defend and maintain
itself. In doing this there need be nc
bloodshed or violence, and there shall
be none, unless it be forced upon the
national authority. The power conf.
ded to me will be used to hold, occupy
and possess the property and places be.
longing to the Government to collect
duties and imports, but beyond what
may be necessary for these objects,
there will be no invasion, no using of
force against or among people any
where. Where hostility to the United
States, in any interior locality, shall be
so great and so universal as to prevent
competent resident citizens from hold
ing Federal offices, there will be no at
tempt to force obnoxious strangers
among thep people for that object. While
the strict legal right may exist in the
Government to enforce the exercise of
these Offices, the attempt to do SO would
be so irritating, and SO nearly impracti-
cable withal, that / deem it better to
forego for time the uses of such Offices.
The mails unless repealed, will continue
to be furnished in all points of the Union,
so far as possible. The people every
where shall have that sense of perfect
security which is most favorable for
calm thought and reflection. The
course herein indicated, will be fol-
lowed unless current events and ex-
perience shall show modification or
change to be proper, and in every case
and exigency, my best discretion will
be exercised according to circumstan-
ces actually then existing, and | hope
for peaceful solution of the national
troubles, and the restoration of fra
ternal sympathy and affection. That
there are persons in one section or an
other who seek to destroy the Union,
at all events, and are glad of any pre-
texts to do it, will neither affirm nor
deny but if there be such, need adj
dress them no words. To those, how
ever, 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, why we
do so. 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 flee to are
greater than the real ones you fly from
will you, risk the commission of so
fearful a mistake All profess to be
content in the Union, if all constitutions
al rights can be maintained. Isit true,
then, that any right, plainly written in
the Constitution, has been denied? /
think not. Happily, the human mind
is so constituted that no party. can
reach the audacity of doing this.
Think, if you can, of single instance
in which plainly written provision of
the Constitution has ever been denied.
If by mere force of numbers ma
jority shall deprive minority of any
clearly written constitutional right, it
might in moral point of view, justify
revolution? 1t certainly would if such
rights was vital one !; but such is not
the case. The vital rights of minori-
ties and of individuals are so plainly
assured to them, by affirmations and
legations. guarantees and prohibitions
in the Constitution, that controversies
never arise concerning Them But no
Organic law can ever be framed with
provision specially applicable to every
question which may occur in practical
administration. - Alw E1as. e
/ No foresight can anticipate, nor any
document of reasonable length contain
express provisions for all possible ques-
TONS Shall fugitives from labor be
surrendered by national or State au-