The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-03-13

forced upon the national authority.
The power eontided to me will be used to hold, |
occupy and possess the property and places belong
ing to the Government, and to collect the duties
on imports. But beyond what are necessary for
ahese objects there will be no.invosion, no using
of force against or among the people anywhere.
Where hostility 10 the United States in any interi-
or locality shall be so great and universal as to
prevent competent resident citizens from holding
the federal offices, there win be no attempt to force
obnoxious strangers upon the people for that
object While the strict legal right may exist
in the government to enforce the exercise Of these
the attempt to do so would be so Irritating and 50
nearly mpracticahle that deem il better to forego
for time the uses Of such offices. The mails UNI
less repealed, will continue to be furnished in all
parts of the Union so far as possible. The people
everywhere shall have that sense Of perfect sccl-
rty which is most favorable 10 calm thought and
reflection.
The course here indicated will be followed unless
current events and experience shall show modi.
ication or change to be proper, and in every case
Of exigency my best discretion will be exercised
according TO circumstances actually existing, and
with view and hope Of peaceful solution Of
the national troubles ana restoration Of fraternal
sympathies and affections.
That there are persons in one section or another
who seek 0dcstroy the Union at all events and are
glad of any pretext for doing il, will neither al.
firm or deny-but il there be such need address
no word TO them. To those, however who really
love the Union may just speak before entering
upon so grave matter as the destruction of our
national fabric, with all its benefits, its memories
and its hopes Wonsit not be wise to ascertain
precisely why il should be donei viii you hazard
so desperate step while there is any possibility
that any portion Of the ills you fly from have no
real existence: VIII YOU, while the certain ills
you fly 10 are greater than all the real ones you y
.from-will you risk the commission Of so fearful
a mistaken
All profess TO he content in the Union If all their
constitutional rights can be maintained Is il true
then that any right plainly written in the Constr
tuition has been denied. | think not Happily,
the human mind is 50 constituted that no party can
reach to the audacity Of doing this. Think il you
can, Of single instance iii which plainly written
provision Of the Constitution has ever been denied
II by the mere force Of numbers. majority should
deprive the minority Of any clearly written const-
tutinnal right, il might in moral point Of Siew.
justify revolution. Certainly il would IL such right
were vital one. But such are not our cases All
the vital rights of nnortes aud individuals are so
plainly assured TO them by aiiirInations and ne
cations guarantees and prohibitions IN the CanSli-
tuition, that controversies can never arise about
them But no organic law can ever Re framed
with provision specially applicable to every
question which may occur in practical adninistra-
ton. No foresight can anticipate. nor any doGu-
ment Of reasonable length contain. express proyis
ions for all questions Snail flgtiyes from
labor be surrendered by national or State authority
The Constitution docs not expressly say May
Congress prohibit slavery in the Territories: The
Constitution DOES not expressly say. Must Con-
gress protect slavery in the Territories The
Constitution does not expressly say. From ques-
tCns 0f this class. spring all our constitutional
controversies, and We divide upon them into ma.
jorities and minorities. II the minority will not
acquiesce the majority must or the government
must cease.
\ There i no other alternative for continuing the
government but acquiescence on the one sido y
the other. II minority IN sucha case will seeede,
rather than acquicsce, they make precedent which
in turn will divide and ruin them \ minority Of
their own will seeede from thru whenever a major
ity refuse 10 be controlled BY such minority. For
4 instance why may not any portion d a new Con
\ federacy a year or two hence. arbitrarily seeede
again precisely as portions Of the present Union
now claim to secetie from it, Ill who cherish
disuuion sentiments are now being educated to the
exact temper for doing this. Isthere such perfect
identity u interests among The States 70 compose
new Union a. 70 produce harmony only. and pre-
vent renewed seccssidns Plainly. thecentral idea
4 A majority held IN restraint ~ constitutional
cheeks and limitations. and always changing easily
with the deliberate changes ~ popular opinions and
sentiments ! the only true sovereign II free pc0-
pie Whoever rejects il. does. II necessity Is 70
an anarchy or deSpoiisin. Unanimity is impassi.
bic The rule Of minority rs ! permanent ar
rangcment l. wholly inadmissihle; 80 il thar r.
jecting the majority Anarchy ~ despptism ii
some form, i al tint i lett u not forget The
position assumed IS some that constitutional qes-
tons are 70 be decided Us tue supreme Court nor
do deny that such decisions must be binding in
any case upon the parties 10 suit - 70 the object
vi that suit--whiie they arc also entitled Il very
high respect and consideration in I'll parallel cases
~ 81 other departments d the government And
while i Is obviously possible that such decision
may be erroneous % any given case, still the eti
effect following If being limited u that particular
case With The chance thatit MAY IL oyefrilcd ard
never become 4 precedent for the other cases. eAr
better DC borne Than could Ne tie evils n different
practice. 80 the same time, the candid citizens
must confess that i the policy q the government
upon vital questions affecting the whole people i
y IL freyocahiy hxei BY decisions n the III.
prtmc Court lie instant they are made II ordinary
litigation between parties IN personal actions II.
people will have eeaseit to be their own rulers haY
inz to that cxten: practically resigned their gof
eunnent into the hands q that emmett tTebunal
Nor ]. there in tais view. ans assault upon Till
Court u JUDGES III. duty from which lies
may not shrink 70 decide cases properly brought
before them and i i ~ fault Of their. Il Dillef,
seek = turn their decisions 70 political purposes
One Sectioh II or country heligsc. slavery Il
right and ought d be extended. While Tie Dfhei
believes il Is wrong and ought uat u " extended
This i The only substantial question IN dispute.
The Fugitive slave clause II die Constitution,
aad the law flr tie snppre i'm II The Forsisf
Slave trade, are taah 81. Rrll enforced A. any las
csn ever ~ ii tbe Community where tie m0ra
sense 81 the people impereftlY supports the Law
itself The great holy oi ihe people abide 81 Ill,
DIS legal obligation IL both rssps. and leW ifeal
. 0grf ID each. TAs think. cannot be perfectly
cured. ani Il WOULD be wer.e I'll 10Th rase4. ahei
tile separation u TIE sessions than before. jill
iJreiyn slave trade. nov nIrffetily suppressed
would b. ultimately revived without restriction j.
one secti0n. while fugitive Slaves now ouls par
iailg nrcndcfeI, would nj b surrendered At
+ f.