New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-01


robbery of ts treasure the exclusion Of its jnrisdic-
ton and preparation for war, we are forced 10 the
conclusion that the difficulties growing out OF the ex-
istence of Slavery, however viewed by tue common
people are 70 Ear ms the eafers OF TINS revolutionary
movement are concerned but mere pretense, their
real object being overthrow the government that
a separate NortherA Confederacy OF military charae-
TER might arise upon theirs.
What, then, Ia the duty OF the government under
these circumstances AZ the Constitution IL the
paramount law of the land IL Dust be The sole guide
of every de,esxmen Of the Government in meeting the
present emergency. Studously avoicng tue exercise
of all new doubtful powers III iesl'a'ion I'll APP
proschee 10 forced Judicial constructions or VI Execu
five unruatiop the Government must proceed TO dls
charge lis constitutional obligations with moderation
with prudence, with wisdom, but With answering
steadiuese and hrmness To this corse every officer
of the Government is impeed, by the sancton Of bis
oath nv the sacred memories Of our fathers by the
mast g6ri of the model Republic of all past time, by
the hopes and Interests OF the teeming millions OF our
present population, and Of all that are to come alter
ne. -, -,
The great feature Of system is that the people
make the laws and that they obey the laws which
they themselves have made. Hence =" the Government
will appeal to that political sense which exhorts obe
6erce TO the laws of the country the highest duty
of the citizen II viii appeal TO the moral POWER in
the community. IL that appeal be III vain, 1t will
appeal to Tie judiciary. ii the mld arm Of the judi
cfary be not sufficient 20 execute the iayss 1t will call
ont the civil force to sustain the laws IL that he in
II the evil then cones, the responsibility VIII not be
upon the Government.
The Executive must take care that the laws be
faithfully executed" The Congress must "proyide
for calling forth the militia execute the laws Of the
Union suppress instruction and repe invafion, TO
make all laws which shall he necessary and proper for
carving into execution al the powers vested by the
Constitution in the Government u The United Slaes
or i'm any DEPARTMENT or Office thereof. The Consi.u
ton makes no proyision for releasing any Of ts o
cers or agents from the obligation Of the oath II re-
aures them TO take. However painful the duty there
by imposed upon them may be, II cannot be omitted
without involving the destruction Of tie Government
and mourning the guilt of perjury.
Nor can there be any heed given TO any one OF the
false or deceifu issues attempted 20 bo raised sch as
coercing State-raking war upon State. All these
pleas are fallacios dece,ful aud false, if not traitor
ous The Government will act Only Ia the strict line
Of duty in the discharge Of its constitutional functions
and obligations and whatever force Il may attempt or
use will be strictly on the defensive Wo to those N:
dvidugls or combinations Of iudi'iduals who shall
Iersstently violate their Constitutional Obligations
ard expect protection from State where no State can
rightfny oct in the premises.
rgnIiuiiy act Iii ne premises.
The sovereign people OF this country have fit &c
embrace sll the powers Of government INTO two or
ganic forms-e National Union for national purposes,
with limited md wel-defDed power and duties and
State Governments for local purposes. In theory, at
least they cannot conflict with each other FOR the re
son the powers Of the Federal Government IRE clearly
defined by written Constitution, which - made su-
preue III It's sphere, the highest manifestation OF
State sovereignty 10 The contrary Notwithstanding. %
long az the General Government confines itself TO its
constitutional functions il sG5sUTd II nOt tTedS0Hdb
70 characterize tho execution OF ts laws az the oceT
con OF u State. Nay more: If any Safe iorgeliui oi
its ust rights and duties go outside OF s own proper
sphere TO obsruct the due execution Of tho laws Of the
Union by that very oct 1t attempts TO coerce the Gen
oral Government from the exercise OF rs constitutional
powers in the discharge Of duties rendered IMPERATIVE
by the Constitution. Should colhGiOn ensde tho Gov
will ha defensive.
Ii viii neither coerce State, make war upon IT,
Bat il II fail execute is own laws 10 the extent OF
the power conferred 1t will DO recnt to tho hight
trust ever conferred by any PEOPLE, 6isspp0int tho
homes of & world aud destroy i;s own existence. The
course Of the Government cannot bo doubtful nor The
result uncertain. Should the claims OF the Seccrsion
lists he admitted, and the decctH! fogna; oi coercion
obtain the Endorsement Of the people, the reyouoaS
and their apologsIs and allies would in the language
of tho Constitutions grCa:oEt defender prove them
selves the most eklful architects Of Tuln the most
ciectua extinguiHers Of high ied expectation, tho
greatest blsstes OF human hopes which any age has
produced. They would sand up 10 proclaim, In tones
which would pierce the of half the hnman noe,
that tie last great experiment oil representative gov
eminent had failed"
ilons Of eyes. Of those who now feed their inner
ent love OF Liberty tie success Of TIE American eA-
ample, would tufn away irvm bchooing our ulrinem-
bermelt, and find place on earth whcreon TO rest
their rTatifed night. Amid tho nominations and
orgies OF se essiou disunion and revolution. would be
celebrated the funeral ries OF constitutional and
republican Liberty.
But no such mad schonlcs receive the nhorte
mont OF the great body Of tho American people. We
are not MeXCsns We are unaccusl oned ~ violent
disruptons and peaceful reconstruction OF Govern
ment. The Angle Saxon race do not throw away the
g.eaas Of all possible benefits in mere Il: OF frenzy
Ii il required forty years 70 make the people Of tho
first Of tie Seeding States fully d-loysl 10 ia. Union
one hundred will suffice for the great body Of the
American people 10 forget their Revolutionary sres
the hch inheritance toquoaibod by hom the glorious
flag of the Union tho slunbeing dust Of their
Washington. The people will sustain their own Gov.
ernment and hold it 10 the strict line OF IT, ConSn-
tional duty.
Ever holding the olive branch Of peace and conoilia-
tiop before the eInblers Of its power, il will meet its
stern responsibilities with firm pnrpoe and steady
hand-it will rise above all difficulties, and fulfil
earth's Zig Lest mission.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
John CochrIne end Mr.. Branch dissent from the ma
jortys doctrines and conclusions and have liberty TO
fle O statement OF their views.