Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-03-09


! to war, yov cannot fight always, and when,
after much loss Un both sides and no gain on
either you cease fighting, the identical terms
ere again upon you.
| This coustry, with its institutions, belongs to
the people who inhobit it. Whenever they shall
grow weary Of the existing Government they can
exer,ise the' constitutional right Of amending it
or their revolutionary right to dsmember or over.
throw it, Cannot be ignorant of the fact that
many worthy and patriotic citizens are desirous
of having the National Constitution amended -
! While make no recommendations OF amend.
ments, fully recognize the rghtful authority of
! the people over the whole subject. to be exercised
in either Of the modes prescribed IN the instrument
itself, and should, under existing circumstances,
favor rather than oppose fair opportunity being
Afforded them to act upon it.
will venture to add that to me. the Conven.
ton mode seems preferable, inasmuch as it allows
the amendment to originate with the people them.
selves, instead Of permitting them TO take or re-
Jeci proposition originated by others not espe.
cially chosen for the purpose, and which might
not be precisely such as they wond wish 10 &C.
| cept refuse.
| understand a proposed amendment to the
Constitution, which amendment however, have
not seen, has passed Congress, to the effect tba,
the Federal Government shall never interfere
WIN "e oohestc institutions OF the States in
cluding that of persons held to service. 70 avoid
a mlconstruction VI what have said. | depart
from my purpose not to speak Of particular
amendments, 30 far to say that, holding such
provision to be now implied as constitutional
law, have no objection TO its being made express
and rrevocabe. The Chief Magistrate derives
all his authority from the people, and they have
conferred none upon him to make terms for the
separation of the States. The people themselves
can do this also if they choose, but the Executive
ss such, has nothing to do with it. His duty il
to administer the present gvernment as it came
TO his hands, and to transmit il unimpared by him
to his successor. Why should there not be a ps
tent confidence in the ultimate justice of the peo.
plcl Is there any better equal hope in the
world
In our present dfertnce is either party with
out faith oi being in right, if the Almighty Ruler
of all natlons with His eternal truth and Justice
be on your side oi the North, or your side of
the South That truth and that Justice will
surely prevail by the judgment of his great ,r.
bunal, the American people, by the form OF Gov
eminent under which we live. This same people
have wisely given their servants but little power
for mischief, and have with equal wisdom pro-
rided for the return Of that little to their own
hands at very short intervals. While the people
retain their virtue and vigilance. no admnis,ra
",
very seriously injure the government in the short
space OF four yehs. My countrymen, enc and
all, think calmly and we'll upon this whole sub
Jcct nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.
II there be all object 10 hurry any of you in
hot haste to a step which you would never take
deliberately, that object will be frustrated by la.
king time, but good object be frustrated nv
1t. such of you are dissatisfied, still have the
old Constitution, unnpaired, aud on the sensitive
point the laws OF your own framing undsr it;
while the new Administration will have TO imme
dlate power, II 1t would, 10 change either Il.
were admitted that YOU who are dissatisfied hold
the right side in the dispute there still is no single
good reason for precipitate action. Intelligence,
patriotism, christianity, al firm reliance On
Him who has never yet forsaken this faN ored land
are still competent to adjust, in the best wsv, all
our present difficulties.
In your hands, my dissatisfied corntrymen and
not IN mine, Is the nsmeutous issue of civil war
The Government will not assail you; YOU can
have no conflict without being Yourselves the
aggressors. You have no oarh recistcrel in
heaven TO destroy the Government, while shall
have the most solemn one to preserve protect and
defend it. am loath to close. We are not
enemies but friends We must not be enemies
Though passion may have strained it must not
brsa our bonds of affection. The mystic chords
patriotic gave to every loving heart and hearth.
stone all over this broad land, will vet swell the
chorus oilhe Union, whenagain touched, as surely
as they will be the better angels of our nature.
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, March 5-The floor of the
Senate Chamber was densely crowded TO day
before the members were called to order
The utmost anxiety was everywhere express
ed il relation to the formation of the Cabinet
This was the subject uppermost in the mind
of every one.
The galleries were about two thirds filled.
The Senate met a. one O'Clock. The
chaplain made on impressive prayer. cspe
caIy III behalf OF the President OF the United
States.
On motion Of Mr.. Hale (N. II.) a commit.
tee Of two was appointed to wait on the
President, TO inform him that the Senate was
ready TO receive any communication he may
be pleased to make.
Messrs. Hale and Douglas were sppoirted
the committee, and entered Immediately upon
their duty.
The Senate took a recess Of half an hour,
and on reessemhling, Mr. Halls reported tha,
the committee had performed ths duty
assigned to them he would forthwith CO nmu.
nieate "a message IN writing.
After short interval, Mr. Nicolay the
private secretary of the President, appeared
with the message, when
Ou motion of Mr. Hale, ths Senate went
into Executive session.
The CABINET.
The Senate remained iD secret session for
an hour aud half, and confirmed the follow.
ing Cabinet appointments. which had been
made by the President -
Secretary OF State-WM. IL. SEWARD, of
New York
Secretary Of the Tressury-SALyoE T.
CHASE. Of Ohio.
Secretary of War-SIxox CAxgRos, Of
Pennsylvania.
Secretary of the Navy-GIpEoS WELlss
OF Connecticut
Secretary Of the lnteror-CALEB SNIrH
Of Indiana
Attorney General-EDwARp BATES, of
Missouri
Postmaster General M MoSTGoNERY BLAIR
OF Maryland.
The votes by which these appointments
were confirmed we're unanimous for all except
Mr.. Bates and Mr.. Blair, four or five votes
being cast against each, that many ohjecting
20 them, because they were unwilling that
any men from the Slave States should 20 irto
the Cabinet.
A large crowd was assembled Ground the
door, anxious 10 hear the result OF the execu
tive session.
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