Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1861-03-15


and to collect the duties and imposts, but
beyond what may be necessary for these
objects there will be no invasion, no using
of force against Or among the people any
where
Where hostility to the United States in
any interior locality shall be so great and
so universal as to prevent competent
resident citizens from holding federal off
ces, there will be no attempt to force OBJ
noxions strangers 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 irritating and so nearly impracticable
with all, that [ deem it better to forego for
the time the nses of such offices. The
mails, unless repeled, will continue to be
furnished in all parts of the Union
So far as possible the people every where
shall have that sense of perfect security
which is most favorable to calm thought
and reflection.
The course here indicated will be fol-
lowed, unless current events and expert
ence shall show modification or change
to be proper; and in every case and ext
gency my best discretion will be exercised
according to circumstances actually exist
ing, and with view and a hope of a
peaceful solution of national troubles, and
the restoration OF fraternal sympathies and
affections.
That there are persons in one section or
| another who seek to destroy the Union at
all events, and are glad OF any pretext to
do it, [ will neither affirm Or deny, but if
there be such, [ need address no word to
them. To those, however, who really
love the Union, may not speak,
Before entering upon so grave a matter
as the destruction of our national fabric,
with all its benefits, its memories and It's
hopes, would it not be wise to ascertain
precisely why we do it2
Will you hazard SO desperate step
while there is any possibility that any
portion OF the ills you fly from have no
tain ills you fly to are greater than all the
real ones yon fly fron-will you risk the
commission Of so fearful a mistake?
All profess to be content in the Union,
| if all constitutional rights can be main
tanned. Is it true, then, that any right,
| plainly written in the constitution, has
been denied? think not.
| Happily the human mind is so constitu-
led that no party can reach to the audaci-
ty of doing this. Think, if you can, of a
single instance in which plainly written
! provision Of the constitution has ever been
/ denied
If by tie mere force ofnumbers, ma
iority should deprive minority OF any
clearly written constitutional right, it
might in & moral point of view justify
revolution certainly would if such right
were vital one.
But such is not our case. All the vital
rights ofninorit:es and of individuals are
so plainly assured to them by afirnations
and negotiations, guarantees and proyis
| ions, i'll the constitution, that controversies
never arise concerning them.
with a provision specifically applicable to
every question which may occur in prac-
teal administration.
No foresight can anticipate, nor any
| document of reasonable length contain ex-
press provisions for all possible questions
Shall fugitives from labor be surrendered
/ by national or by State authority The
constitution does not expressly say. Must
Congress protect slaveryin the Territories
The constitution does not expressly say.
From questions OF this class spring all
our controversies, as we divide upon them
into maiorities and minorities.T
! If the minority will not acqniese, the
majority must, or the government must
cease. There is no other alternative fol
continuing the government is acquiescence
/ Oh one side or the other.
j If a minority in such case will secede
rather than acquiesce, they make a prece
dent which, in turn, will divide and luiT
/ them. For d minority OF their own vii
secede from them whenever majority
| refuses to be controlled by such a minori
1 ty. -
Forlinstance, why may notsany portion
of new confederacy year or two hence
arbitrarily secede again, precisely as por
| tions of the present Union now claim t.
secede from it? AL who cherish .disuniof
sentiments are now being educated to the
exact temper of doing this.
is there such perfect identity Of inter
ests among the States to compose new
q Union as to produce harmony only ant
4 prev renewed secession Plainly th,
central idea of secession is the essence o
anarchy: - ss Sd. 94sss.f g..sss.sss i 3
K A majority held in restraint by consti
tutional checks and Limitations, and al
i ways changing easily with deliberat
J. changes Of popular. opinions and senti
! ]. nlents is the only true sovereign Of fre,
4 people. 8
Whoever rejects it-does of necessity f
TO anarchy or to despotisns Unanimit.
is inpossible. The rule of the minority
as a permanent arrangement, is who'll