The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1861-06-07
Hon. j. M, Ashley ON the Duty
of the Government 10 Protect
Loyal Citizens,


of the Government 10 Protect
Loyal Citizens,
Continued from last ccek)
Mr.. Chairman, 1 have introduced the
subject matter Of the Rhode Island con.
troversy hers, or the double purpose Of
showing the power conferred on tho Fed
eral Government by the National Con-
siitution, and the duty of the Govern
ment in contingencies that now seem
likely to happen. Suppose GUo or ten,
or oven all the slave States, should, with
tho sanction Of majority Of their cti-
zens, and under the forms of law enacted
~ ,i,..;- r------t .vVVguAvu uutnuItuvs,
Join South Carolina in her reasonable
movements. What would be the duty Of
the General Government toward tho pa
triotic and loyal minority in these States.
Undoubtedly, there can be but one an-
swer to this question. II is their duty to
protect aud secure them in the enjoy
ment of all their constitutional rights,
and by force, If necessary. And though
the loyal citizens should be largely in
tho minority, if they remain faithful to
the Constitution and the Union, they
may and should disregard the actions and
usurpations of majority, refuse TO rec
ognize their reasonable proceeding,
either by declaring the States sovereign
and independent, changing the State Con.
stitu'ions, or by acts of their COnvon-
tions, absolving all citizens from their al
Ilegiance to the National Government
Those who remain loyal and refuse to
recognize such revolutionary proceed.
IiEgs, may continue 10 act under the old
lConstitutisn and laws Of tho State, as il
no such reasonable action had taken
place, elect their Governor, Stlte officers
and members Of the Legislature Lnd
Congress, at the time and in the manner
prosecuted by the laws existing prior to
the usurpation.
The Governors thus elected could call
upon the President of the United States
for aid to suppress the rebellion, and il
would be his duty to grant it, There is
no doubt but what Congress would roc.
lognize such Government. The Legis-
lNture thus elected could choose Unitet
States Senators TO fiji any vacancies
that might exist either from tho expira-
ton of the terms of the present Sena'
tors, their resignation, or expulsion be-
cnuse engaged in a conspiracy to over
throw the present National Government.
The Senators and Representatives in
Congress thus elected by the loyal citl.
Izens of any of the seceeding States
will undoubtedly be admitted to seats
each House, by the Constitution, being
the sole Judge of the qualification of its
own members. In this manner, the Ma.
tional Government could fulfill aud dis
charge its constitutional obligations BY
securing to euch State a republican form
Of government, suppress rebellion, an6
protect the lives liberties, aud property
Of the loyal citizens. IL II bo said, how
ever, that the majority would vote down
the minority, or, by force ard mob law
prevent such an expression Of their opin
iunG at the ballot-box or the revolution
lists might elect Governor and Legisla
ture, members Of Congress, and Sena
tors, with tho understanding that they
should not serve, and that such sehemi
as is proposed for the minority 10 act up
on IL impraotieable then, answer, tina
the duty of all loyal citizens would bo L
assemble ard petition Congress for a re
E dress of their grievances, the protection
: of their lives and property, and the sc
y curity Of all their constitutional rights
including a republican form Of Stat
government,
The National GoYernme mt justly an
, proudly boosts Of having projected on
poor and friendless foreigner, who ha
= only declared bis intention 20 beeom
, an American citizen, from the desPotisu
OF Austria, at the hazard of a blood!
and expensive war. II, then, there b
but one of It's own citizens, born an
/ bred on its soil, who, despite tho threat
encd punishment Of traitors in rebellion
against the United States, remains loya
to the Constitution and Union, shall b
not be protected in his life, liberty, an
property, by the National Government
I If the General Government have no
d power to protect the rights Of all loya
: citizens, then the Government is a fail
ure, and that provision Of tho Nationa
Constitution which says, "1'he Unite
Siafes shall guarantees 10 eUerV Stale 4
ne Union a republican form Of gOUerN
inent,' is dead letter, and worse tha
useless. But, Mr. Chairman, with
proper administration Of tho Nutlona
. .lGoyernmont; Il will neither bo a dead lei