The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-03-15


the sSctiols than before.
The foreign Slave trade, now imperfectly
suppressed, would be ultimately revived with
out restriction in our section, while fugitive
slaves now only partially surrendered, would
not be surrendered at all by the other.
Physically speaking, we cannot separate
we cannot remove Irrespective sections from
each other, nor build an impossible wall be-
/ tween them, husband and wife NAV be
| divorced and 90 out OF the presence and beyond
the reach other, but the different parts of the
country canaet foIhis they cannot bat re-
main face tqstf&e, and an intercourse either
! amlcabe or hoSaie must continue between
| them. Is it possible, then, to make that inter-
course more advantageous or more satisfactory
| alter separating than before? Can aliens make
/ treaties easier than friends can make laws o.
Can treaties be more faithfully enforced be-
tween aliens than laws among friends Sup
J pose yo go to war you cannot fight always,
and when after much loss on Doth sides, and
10 gain on ether, you cease fighting the Ideatl-
y questions as TO terms of intercourse will be
4 again upon you.
This country, with its institutions, belongs
TO the people who iahabIt it, Whenever they
shall grow weary OF the xBtIng government
they can exercise their constitutional right ufI
! amending or their revolutionary right TO
dlsnen,ber or overthrow it. | cannot be igno-
rant OF the fact that many worthy and patriot
&c citizens are DESTROYS of having the National
Constitution amended. While make no re-
commentators of amendments, fully Fecog-
Dize the rlght.ul authority of the people over
the whole subject, to be exercised IN either of
the modes prescribed in the instrument itself,
aud should, under existing circumstances,
laVor rather than oppose a fair opportunity
being afforded the people to act upon it, II
wall venture 10 add that, TO me, the Conven-
tlon mode seems preferable, inasmach as it al
lows tht amendment to originate with the peo-
pie themselves, instead OF permitting them to
ake or relect proposition originated by others
not especially chosen Tor the purpose, and
which mgnt not be precisely such as they
would wish 10 elihrr accept or refuse.
! understand proposed amendment 10 the
Constitution, which amend ment, however,
bavr not seen, has passed Congress TO the effect
that The Federal Government shalt never in
.Aerfere with the domestic institutions of the
eFs, including that of persons held to ser jce
ra'' sstss 3 ais&onstrocti5n OF what have said,
| depart 'irom My purpose not to speak of par
ding such provision TO be now implied as
Constitutioua. lw, have no objections to its
being made ex press and ffevocabe. The
Chief Magistrate derives all his authority from
tn people, aad they have conferred none up-
on him to fix terms for the separation of the
States. The people themselves can do this also
# they choose but the Executive, as such. has
nothing 10 do with it his duty Is to administer
tt... - L..
and to transmit it unimpaired by him TO his
successor. Why should there not be a patient
confidence in the ultimate Justice of the people
IS there any better or equal hope in the world
In our present dlffereuces is either party With
out lluh Of being ia the right ! If the AL
mighty ruler of nations with his eternal truth
and Justice be on your side of the North, or on
yours Of the South, that truth ant that Justice
will surely prevail by The jud gment of his
Great Tribunal.
The American people were the trainers of
the gov ve:nment uader which we live this
same people have wisely gwen their public
servants but little power for mischief, and
have with equal wisdom provided ter the return
of that little 10 their own hands al very short
itervas.
While the people retain their virtue and
vigilance no Admln lstration, by any extreme
OF wickeGnesS OF ioiiy, can very seriously in
jure the government m the short space or four
years. My counrymen, one and all, think
camly and we'll upon this whole subject
Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time
II there be an object to hurry any of you in
bot haste to a step which you would never
take deliberately, that object will be frustrated
by taking time, but no good Object will be |
frustrated by it. Such Of You as are now dis |
satisfied, still have the old Constitution un-
impaired, and, OF the sensitive point, the laws
OF your own framing under 1t while the new
administration will have no immediate pow er,
If it would, to change either. Il it were ad-
nitted that you who are dissatisfied bold the |
right side in the dispute there is still no single
good reason for precipltate sction. Inteili- |
gence, patriotism, christianity, ana firm rel-
ance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this !
favored land, are still competent to adjust, in |
The best way, all our present difficulties.
10 your hands my dissatisfied counirymeD,
and not ia mine, is the momentous issue OF
civil war the Government will not assail you
you can have no confllct without being |
yourselves the aggreSsorS. You have no oath |
registered in Heaven to destroy the govern
ment, while shall have the most solemn Zone |
20 preserve, protect and defend it, | am 10th |
to Close. We are not enemies, but friends
We must not be enImes.s Though passion NAV
have strained it must not break our bonds of !
affection.
The mystic chords OF memory, stretching
from every battle field and patriots grave, to
every loving heart and hearthstOne all over
this broad land, will yet swell the chorus Of
the Union when again touched, as surely they
viii be, bY The better angels Of our nature.