Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-03-30
Gems of the Inaugural.
ICONCLUDED.l |


Gem the fourth
"Is it true then that any right plainly
written in the Constitution has been dcni-
cd think not. Happily the human
mind is so constituted that no party can
reach to the audacity of doing this. Think
if you can of a single instance in which
plainly written provision of the Constitu-
tion has ever been denied"
The Legislatures of number of Nor.
thert States under Republican control
have enacted laws designed to nullify the
constitutional provision requiring the rem
dition Of fugitives from labor. The right
to the service of these fugitives is plainly
written in the Constitution, and confessodly
so in this Inaugural Address and yet it
has been denied, or attempted to be denied.
The Republican party in many of the
Northern States have "reached to the au-
dacity of doing this" Mr.. Lincoln's mem.
ory is as deficient as his logic
Gem the fifth:
"From questions of this class spring all
our constitutional controversies, and we
divide upon them into majoritics and min.
critics. If the minority will not acquiesce,
the majority must, or the governmen: must
cease"
The questions referred to are, whether
the Constitution empowers Con grcss to cx-
cludc slavery from the terri;orics-must
Congress protect slavery in the Terrific
ries &c. We divide upon these questions
into majorities and minorties, and enc
Or the other must acquiescc, or the govern
mont must cease. No such thing. he
correct Interpretation Of the Constitution
is not to be settled by the will of the ma
jority. These are Judicial questions for
the courts to determine. If the popular
will is to decide the meaning of the con-
stitution, then it follows that as soon as
the majority determine that the provision
for the return of fugatives from labor does
not apply to runaway negroes, this settles
the controversy, and the minority must
acquiesce. The principle is lawless and
revolutionary. We have a Constitution,
and courts competent to interpret its true
meaning, and majorities cannot overturn
it to invade the established rights of minori.
ties. Mnorites have sacred rights which
the Constitution guards, and majoritics
cannot assal them. If this is not true, we
have no settled principles of government,
and no mans rights are inviolablc.
Gem the sixth:
"Unc section of our country believe that
slavery is right, and ought to be extcdcd;
while the other believes that it is wrong
and ought not to be extended. This is the
only substantial dispute"
I he question of right or wrong of slavery
Is not rightful'y involved in the controver
sy as to its extension 1t is purely q
question as to the constitutional rights of
the South. The morality of slavery has
nothing to do with it. A man may be
morally opposed to the extension of slavery
and at the same time convinced that tht
Constitution permits Southern men to take
their property into the Territories, and be
: willing to defend and protect them in this
right.
Gem the scvcnth-thc genuine article
"Supposo you 60 to war, you canno
fight always, and when, after much loss oil
= both sides, and no gain on either, you ceas
t fighting, the identical old question as t.
terms of intercourse are again upon you"
This is the first glmmcr of sound sens
] to illuminate the pervading darkness. Gc
! to war and you end just where you bcgal
4 then why go to war at all ? Why com
nencc civil war, when there is confessed
= ly nothing to be gained by it?
Gem the eigth is intended to be consola
v tory;
y "By the frame of the Government unde
3 which We live, this same people have wise
i ly given their public servants but little pow
or for mischief, and have with equal wis
Il dom provided for the return of that littl
=. to their own hands at very short intervals.
O 1t would afford real consolation if MI
Lincoln had little power for mischief, bu
= unhappi!y he undertakes the consequence
. likely to follow his own feebleness.
Patriot d Union.
o
: sS' y furious storm Of indignation ha