The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-11-07


more peace, and have endured less oppres-
sion than have those of any other country.
Ali this results from the fact that cur
| government is divided into different de-
| partments, each intended to check and
| balance the other. The Constitution OF
the United States is the supreme law, and
is SO declared in that instrument, as framed
and ratified by the people of each State.
1t withholds to the several states, all but
the specifically granted powers, and dis
tributes the exercise of these between the
Legislative, Executive and Judicial au-
thorities. Thus, the President, as Com
| mander-in-chief, has the direction and
control of the military power, but he can
use it only in accordance with the provls-
ions of the Constitution and the laws; and
without the consent Of Congress he can
have no supplies to render it efficient
Congress-, as is we'll known, is composed
of two bodies. One of these represents
the people, and the other the State, and
either is powerless to act without the con-
sent OF the other Paramount to Congress
is the Supreme Court of the United States.
To that judicial tribunal is given the power
to expound the law, and especially that
supreme law called the Constitution, and
when its decisions and interpretations are
rightfully made, they are entitled to the
highest consideration and respect.
1t is manifest, therefore, that the poweEz
of the President is limited, and that, in
the exercise of his functions, he is subject
TO many salutary checks. This is very
well, and tends to show the wisdom and
foresight which characterized the trainers
of our glorious Constitution. 1t viii be
generally conceded that the administration
of JAMES BUCHANAN had quite as much
power In their hands as it is safe to trust
to such ambitious rulers. In the present
crisis, however, we could almost wish that
ABRAHAM LINCOLN had greater power
than that conferred upon him by the Con-
stitution, as we feel confident it would be
judiciously used; still we would not desire
to see the power of the Office enlarged, be-
cause if his successor should happen to be
a reckless or designing man, he might use
it to deprive the people of their liberties.
One of the great excellencies in our
government is; that the Federal Constitu-
ton provides in itself mode for its
IL.
be attained peaceably and readily, and yet
not without proper care and deliberation
How unwise and i'm mpolitictheroffore in the
people of the South to resort to secession
and rebellion as remedy for their fancied
grievances, rather than the peaceful mode
of redress here pointed out in the Consti-
tuition. Bear in mind we offer nc argument
against the ''right of secession" We ut
terly repudiate and ignore all such trum-
perry, and if we did not, the time to argue
with the knaves who assert the monstrous
heresy has long since passed. But, sup
posing such "right" to exist, how wicked
and objectionable in its advocates to at
tempt to enforce it. by an appeal to arms,
without first endeavoring to attain their
ends through legal and constitutional
means! It seems to US, that, if there is
one place in the internal regions, set apart
expressly for the worst men the world has
ever seen, that place will be occupied by
the villains who are now attempting the
overthrow of the federal government