The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-03-12

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made by less than the parties who made
it? One party to a contract may violate
it, break it, SO to speak, but does it not
require all to lawfully rescind it?
Descending from these general princi-
Piles, we find the proposition that in legal
contemplation the Union is perpetual
virtually confirmed by the history of the
Union itself. The Union is much older
than the constitution. 1t was formed in
fact by the Articles of Association in
IVA. 1t was matured and continued
by the Declaration of independence in
1875. II was furthered matured, and the
faith of all the then thirteen States ex-
pressly plighted and engaged that it
should be perpetual by the Articles of
Confederation in 1878. And finally in
1889, one Of the declared objects for or
daining and establishing the Constitution
was to form more perfect Union. Ii Sc
cession by one or by a part only of the
States, be lawfully possible, the Union is
less binding than before the Constitution,
having lost the vital element of per-
petuity. 1t follows from these views that
no State, upon Its own mere motion, can
lawfully get out of the Union that re-
solves and ordinances to that effect are
legally void and that acts of violence
within any State or States against the au.
thority of the United States are Insured
tionary OF revolutionary according to cir
cumstances.
| therefore consider that in view Of the
Constitution and Laws, the Union is un-
broken, and TO the extent of my ability |
shall take care, as the Constitution ex-
pressly enjoins on me, that the laws of the
Union be faithfully executed in all the
States. Doing this l deem to be only
simple duty on my part, and | shall
perform it so far as practicable, unless
my rightful masters, the American peo-
pie, shall withhold the requisite means
or in some authoritative manner direct to
the contrary.
| trust this will not be regarded as
menace, but only as the declared purpose
of the Union that it will constitutionally
protect and maintain itself. In doing
this there need be no bloodshed or vio-
lence, and there shall be none unless it
be forced upon the national authority.
The power confded to me will be used
to hold, occupy and possess the property
and places belonging to the government,
to collect duties and imports, but beyond
what may be necessary for these objects
there will be no invasion BIZ force against
or among people anywhere Where hostil-
ity to the United States in any interior
locality shall be SO great and SO universal
as to prevent competent resident citizens
from holding federal offices, there will be
no attempt TO force obnoxious strang-
ers among the people for that object,
While the strict, legal right may exist
in the Government to enforce the exer-
else of those Offices. the attempt to DO
SO would be SO irritating and SO near
" impyacticable withal, that I deem
it better to forego for time the uses of
such Offices.
The mails, unlss5 ropelicd, viii oon-
tinue to be furnished in all parts Of the
Union, SO far as is possible. The people
everywhere shall have that sense of per-
feet security which will be most favora
Die for calm thought and reflection.
The course here intimated will be
followed unless current events and expe-
rence shall show modification or change
to be proper, and in every case or ext.
gency my best discretion will be exer-
cised according to the circumstances ac-
tually existing, and with a view and a
hope of a peaceful solution of the ma
tional troubles, the restoration of irater-
nal sympathy and affections. That there
are persons in one section or another who
seek to destroy the Union at all events,
and who are glad of any pretext to do
| it. | will neither affirm nor deny, but il
there be such | need address no word to
them.
To those who really love the Union,
may not speak ? Before entering upon
SO grave matter as the destruction oil
our national fabric with all lis benefits,
its memories, and hopes, would 1t not be
wise to ascertain whet it is you propose &c
DO ? Will you hazard SO desperate steF
while there is any possibility that any
portion of the ills you fly from have nc
real existence Will you, while the Ger.
tain ills you flee to are greater than al
the real ones you fly from
Will you risk the commission OF Sc
fearful a mistake All profess to be con
tent in the Union, il all constitutions
rights can be maintained. Is it true
then, that anv right plainly written il
the constitution has been denied -?
think not.
Happily, the human mind is 50 consti
tu;ed that no party can reach 10 the au
dacity Of doing this. Think, ii you can
Of single instance in which plainly
written provision of the constitution has
ever been denied.
If by the mere force of numbers ma,
jority shall deprive a minority of any
clearly written constitutional right, such
deprivation would, in moral point o
view. justify revolution 1t certainly
would if such right was a vital one, bu
such is not orr case.
The vital rights Of minorities and oil
individuals are not SO plainly assured &c
them by aiiirmations and negations, guar
antees and prohibitions in the constitu
lion, that controversies never arise con.
corning them but no organic law car
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