Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-03-08

terent and greatly distinguished citizens have
IN succession, administered the executive
branch of the government
They have conducted it through many pc.
ris, and generally with great success. Yet
+ with nj the scope for precedent now enter
upon tho same task for the brief constitutions
al term of -four years under great and peculiar
difficulty a disruption of the federal Union
heretofore only mcnanced is now formidably
attempted. hold that in contemplation Of
the universal law and of the constitution, the
Union Of these States is perpetual. PerpetA-
4 NY IS implied if not expressed in the funda-
mental law of all national governments. 1t
is safe to assert that no government proper
ever had provision in its organic law for
4 its own termination.
+ Continue to execute all the express provi-
I sions of our national constitution, and the
Union will endure forever, it being impossi-
BILE to destroy it except by some action not
provided for in the instrument itself
Again, if the United States be not govern
ment proper but an association of States, in
the nature of contract merely, can it, as a
contract, be peaceably unmade by less than
all the parties who made it. One party to a
contract may violate or break it, so to speak,
but does it not require all to lawfully re-
scind it?
Descending from these general principles,
we find the proposition that in legal contem-
plation 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 MA. II was matured and con-
tirued by the Declaration of Independence in
/ l776. 1t was further matured and the faith
OF all the then thirteen States expressly plight
ed and engaged that il should be perpetual
by the articles of confederation in l7T9
4 And finally in 1881 one Of the declared OBJ
( jects for ordnining and establishing the con-
/ sttution was to form a more perfect Union.
/ But if the destruction of the Union by one
or by part only Of the States be lawfully pos
4 sible the Union is less perfect than before the
constitution, having lost the vital element Of
perpetuity
1t follows, from these views, that no State,
4 upon its own mere motion, can lawfully get
out of the Union-that resolves and ord;-
nancos TO that effect are legally void and
that acts of violence within any State or
States against the authority of the United
States are insurrectonary or revolutionary,
according TO circumstances.
/ therefore consider, that in view of the
constitution and the laws, the Union is UNI
broken, and to the extent of my ability !
shall take care, as the constitution expressly
cnjoins upon me, that the laws Of the Union
lie faithfully executed in all the States.
Doing this | deem it to be only simple du-
ty on my part, and shall perform it 50 far
as practicable, unless my rightful masters, the
American people, shall withhold the requi-
site means or in some authoritative manner
direct the contrary.
| trust that this will not be regarded as
i menace, but only as the declared purpose of
the Union, that it will constitutionally de-
fend and maintain itself. In doing this there
need to be no Diuadshed or violence, and
1 there shall be none unless II be forced upon
the national authority.
I The power conldcd TO me will be used to
hold, occupy and possess the property and
/ places belonging to the government aud TO
collect the duties and imposts, but beyond
what may be necessary for these objects there
I will be no INVASION no using of force against
or among the people anywhere.
/ Where hostility to the United States in any
interior locality shall be so great and so uni
versal as to prevent competent resident oiti-
zens from holding the federal offices, there
will be no attempt to force obnoxious strang-
ers among the 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 irri-
I tating ana so nearly mpracticable with all,
/ that deem it better to forego for the time the
uses Of such Offices The mails, unIessrepel-
! cd will continue TO be furnished in all parts
Of the Union.
| So far as possible the people everywhere
I shall have that sense Of perfect security which
/ is most favorable to calm thought and refec-
I ton.
The course here indicated will be followed,
unless current events and experience shall
! show a modification or change to be proper
and in every case and exigency my best dis
/ erection will be exercised according to circum-
stances actually existing, and with a view
and hope Of peaceful solution of nationa
1 troubles, and the restoration Of fraterna
4 sympathies and affections
That there are persons in one section o.
another who seek to destroy the Union at al
events, and arc glad Of any pretext to do II
/ | will neither affirm or deny, but if there b.
such need address no word TO them. II
those, however, who really love the Union
may not speak.
Before entering upon so grave matter
the destruction Of our national fabric, witt
all its benefits its memories and its hopes
would il not be wise to ascertain precisely
way we do it?
Will you hazard so desperate 4 step Will
there IS any possibility that any portion o
the ills you fly from have no real existence
VIII you, while the certain ills you fly 10 arr
=
will you risk the commission Of so fearful I
mistake?
All profess to be content in the Union, j
all constitutional rights can he maintained
Is il true, then, that any right, plainly writes
in The constitution, has been denied thinl
not.
Happily the human mind Is so constituted
that no party can reach to the audacity 0
doing this. Think, if you can, Of singl
instance in which plainly written provision
Of the constitution has ever been denied
II by the mere force Of numbers, q MAORI
ty should deprive minority Of any elcarl.
written constitutional right, it might in I
moral point Of view justify revolution Ger
tainly would if such right were vital one
But such is not our case. All the vita
rights Of nl.aoriiies aud Of individuals ar
so plainly assured to them by affirmation
and negotiations, guarantees aud provisions
in the constitution that controversies ncye
arise concerning Them.
But no organic law can ever be framed will
a provision specifically applicable to ever,
question which may occur in practical ad
, minstration.
No foresight can anticipate, nor any docu
mcnt Of reasonable length contain expires
provisions for all possible questions. Shal
fugitires from labor be surrendered by ma
tional or by State authority2 The consttu
| tion does not expressly say. Must Congress
f prohibit slavery in the Territories2 The con
stitution does not expressly say.
r From questions Of this class spring all gu
: controversies, as we divide upon them int
: majorities and niinorities.
? If the minority will not acquiesce, the ma
G jority must, or the government must ceasc.-
8 There IS no other alternative; for continuin
The government is acqniesccncc on one side {
b the other
: If minority in such case will secedc RI