Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-03-07


party to contract may violate It, break It,
SO to speak, but does it not require all to
lawfully rescind it
Descending from these general principles
we find the proposition that in legal con-
temptation theUnion is perpetual,c confirmed
by the history Of the Union itself. The
Uni8n is much older than the Constitution \
it was formed in fact by the articles Of as
ISOLATION in 1874; it was matured and con-
tinued by the Declaration Of Independence
in l776; it was further matured and the
faith of all the then thirteen States ex-
pressly plighted and engaged that il should
be perpetual by the articles of confeaera-
ton in 1878 aud finally in 1887.
One Of the declared objects for ordaining
and establishing the Constitution was to
form more perfect Union by the States.
Can it be lawfully possible for the Union
to be less now than before the Constitution
was formed, without lis having lost the Vi
tai element Of perpetuity.
1t follows from these views that no State,
upon its own mere motion, can lawfully
get out of the Union; that resolves and
ordinances to that effect are legally void,
and that acts Of violence within any State
or States against the authority of the
United States are insurrectiouary or revo-
/ lutionary, according to circumstances. !
/ therefore consider that in view Of the Con-
stitution and laws, the Union is unbroken,
and to the extent of my ability, / shall
take care, as the Constitution itself ex-
pressly enjoins on me, that the laws of the
Union be faithfully executed in all the
States doing this.
| deem it to be only simple dut, on
my part, and shall perform it so far as
practicable unless my rightful masters, the
American people, shall Withhold the requi-
site means or in some authoritjYe manner
direct the contrary. trust this will not
be regarded as a menace, but only as the
declared purpose OF the Union that will
constitutionally defend and maintain itself
In doing this there need be no bloodshed
or violence, and there shall be none unless il
be forced upon the national authority
The power con6ded in me will be used tc
hold, occupy and possess the property and
places belonging to the Goyernment--tc
collect duties on imports; but beyond what
may be necessary for these objects there
will be no invasion, no using of force against
or among people anywhere.
When hostility to the United States il
any interior locality shall be so great and
so universal as to prevent competent resi-
dent citizens from holding federal offices,
there will be no attempt to force obnoxious
strangers among the people. The attempt
to do SO would be SO irritating and SO near
! ly impractlcable wilhal, that | deem it bet
ter to forego for a time the uses of such Of
fees.
The Mails, unless 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 security which upon most
favorable and calm thought and reflection
shall be for the best under the circumstances.
The course here indicated will be followed,
unless current events and experience shall
show modification or change to beproper,
and in every case and exjgency my best
discretion will be exercised, according to
the circumstances actually existing, and
with view to and hope of peaceful
solution of the national troubles, the restor-
alton of fraternal 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
70 Ia 1 will Il
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 matter as the destruction
OF our national fabric, with all its benefits,
its memories and hopes? Would it not be
wise to ascertain previously what we do?
Will you hazard SO desperate a step while
there is any possibility that any portion of
the ills you fly from hayeno real existence !
viii you, while the certain ills you flee TO
are greater than all the the real ones you
fly from! Will you risk the commission
Of SO fearful mistake?
But no organic law can ever be framed
with provision especially applicable to
every question which may occasion pract-
cal administration. No foresight can an
ticipate, nor any document Of reasonable
length contain express provisions for all
possible questions.
Shall fugitives from labor be surrendered
by national or state authorities? The Con-
stitution does not expressly say. Must
Congress protect slavery in the Territories (?
The Constitution does nos expressly say.
From questions of this class spring all our
constitutional controversies, and we divide
upon them with majoFities and minoitics
Ii the minority will not acquiesce the ma
jonty must, or the government must cease.
There is no alternative for continuing the
government but acquiescence on the one
side or the other.
If . majority, in such case, will secede
rather than acquiesce, they make prece-
dent which will in turn min and divide
them, for a minority Of their own will Sc
cede from them whenever a majority refuse
TO be controlled by such minority. For
instance, why may not any portion Of a
new contedcracy ayear or two hence arbi-
trarily seeede again precisely as portions Of