Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-07-19
Mr.. EIERETT'S ORATIOl.
THE ISSUE OF THE DAY.

The New York Academy of NJ usic was filed 10
overAowing on the 4th. on the occasion OF Hon.
Edward Everett's oration on "The Issues of the
Day" The orator was escorted to the building by
the Veterans OF 1912, and received with most up
rorious demonstrations Of welcome. Judge Slos-
son presided, and the opening prayer was uttered
by the venerable DR.. Spring. TIE stage was quite
filed with distinguished guests, the Veterans and
the pupils from the Institution of The Blind
Mr.. Everett commenced as follows:
When the Congress of the United States. on the
4th of July. 1875, issutd the memorable Dec
aralion, they deemed that decent respect for the
opinions Of mankind required a formal statement
Of the causes which impelled them to the all i'm
portant measure. The eighty fifth anniversary of
the Declaration finds the loyal people of the Union
engaged in tremendous conflict TO maintaiR aud
defend the grand nationality, which was asserted
by our fathers, AMI to prevent their fair creation
from crumbing into disb0noTable chaos. great
people, gallantly struggling 10 keep noble frame
work Of government from falling into wretched
fragments, needs no justification at the tribunal
OF the public opinion of mankind. But while our
patriotic frliow-citzens, who have rallied to the
defence of the Union. marshaled by the abest of
living chieitans, risking their lives in the field
while the precious blood of your youthful heroes
and is poured ont together in defence Of this
precious legacy of Constitutional freedom, you will
not think it misappropriation Of the hour If en-
poy it in showing the justice of the in which
are engaged, and the iallacy OF tie arguments
employed by the South in yindication of the war,
alike murderous ana suicidal, which she is waging
against the Constitution and the Union.
After depicting the prosperous state of the eoun-
try up to the period OF the Presidential election and
showing that the secession of South Carolina was
an imposSibility in law, be continued:
SECESSION Is REVOLUTION.
Whether the present unnatural civil war is waged
by the South, in virtue of supposea Constitu-
ti0nai right to leave the Union at pleasure or
whether il is exercise of the great and ultimate
right of Revolution. the existence of which no one
denies, seems to be left in uncertainty by the
leaders Of the movement. Mr.. Jefferson Davis
the President of the new ConfedeIacy, in his in
4ngural speech delivered on the 18th of February
declares that is abuse OF anguag to call
sErevolnten." Mr.. Vice President Stephens on
the 2lst OF March, pronounces it ssone of tile
greatest revolutions in the annals of the woild."
This assumed right Of secession rests upon the
doctrine that the Union IS compact between In
dependent States from which ans one of them
may withdraw at pleasure in virtue Of Its sove-
reignty. This imaginary right has been the subject
of discussion for more than thirty years, having
been originally suggested, though not at frst much
dwet upon, Ia connexion with the kindred claim
of right, on the part of individual State. to
'tnulify'' an Act of Congress. 1t would Of course
be impossible, within the limits of the bour to re-
view these elaborate discussions. / win only re-
marx, on this occasion, that none of the premises
from which this remarkable conclusion is drawn is
recognized in the Constitution, and that the rieht
OF secession, though called sresefved' right, is
not expressly reserved in il. That instrument does
not purport to be sscOmpact, but a Consultation
Of Government. It appears in its frs' sentence
not 10 have been entered into by the States but to
have been ordained and established by tia people
Of the United States, for ssthemselses and their
posterity." The'States are not named in il near
ly all the characteristic powers of sovereignty are
expressly granted TO the General Government and
expressly prohibited 20 the States and so far from
reserving right ol secession to the letter. on any
ground or undo any pretence, il ordains and es.
tablishes, in TERMS the Constitution of the United
tates as the supreme law Of the land anything in
the Constitution Or laws Of any State 10 the con
trsry Notwithstanding. IApplzuse.l