Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-03-07

having lost the vital element of perpetulty.-
1t follows from these views that no State upon
its own mere motion can lawfully get out o:
the Union that resolves ano ordinances TO
that effect are legally void, and that acts Of
violence within any State or States against
the authority of the United States arc insur-
rectionary or revolutionary according to cir
cumStances.
l. therefore, consider that, in view of the
Constitution and the laws, the Union is un
broken, and, to the extent OF my ability, L
shall take care, as tie Constitution itself ex-
pressly enjoins upon me, the laws of the Union
be faithfully executed in all the States. Do
ing this deem to be only simple duty on
my part. shall perfectly perform it, SO far
as is practicable, unless my rghtfu masters
the American people, shall withhold the re-
quisition, or in some authoritative manner d-
rect the contrary. trust this will not be re-
garded as a menace, but only as the declared
purpose of the Union, that it will cOnstitu-
tionaly defend and maintain itself.
In doing this, there need be no boodshed
or violence, and there shall be none unless 1t
is forced upon the national authority. The
power conGded to me will be used to hold, oc-
cupy and possess the property and places be-
longing to the Government, and collect the du-
ties 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 anywhere
Where hostility to the United States in any
interior section shall be SO great and so uni
yersal as to prevent competent resident cltl-
zens from holding the Federal Offices, there
will he no attempt to force obnoxious strangers
among the people that object While the
strict legal right may exist OF the Government
to enforce the exercise of these Offices, the at
tempt to do so would be so irritating, and so
nearly impracticable withal, that | deem it
better to forego for the time the uses of such
Offices.
The mails, unless repclled, 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
is most favorable to calm thought and reaec-
tion. The course here indicated will be fol-
lowed, unless current events and experience
shall show a modification or change to be
proper, and in every case and exigency my
best discretion will be exercised, according to
the circumstances actually existing, and with
a view and a hope of a peaceful solution Of
the 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 matter as the destruction OF
| our national fabric with all its benefits, its me.
moirS and its hopes, would it not be we'll tC
ascertain why we do it. VIII you hazard SC
desperate a step while there is any portion OF
the ills you fly from have no real existence
! Will you, while the certain ills yOn fly to are
! greater than all the real ones you fly from?
! VIII you risk the commission Of so fearful
mistake? All profess to be content in the
I Union, if all Constitutional rights can be
maintained. Is it true, then, that any right
plainly written iE the Constitution has been
denied l think not. Happily the human
mind is so constituted that no party can reach
! to the audacty of doing this Think, if you
can, of single instance in which a plainly
written provision of the Constitution has ever
been denied If, by the mere force of mum
bers, majority should deprive minority O
any clearly written constitutional right, il
might in a moral point Of view, Justify revo
lution-certainly would, if such right were q
vital Que. But such is not our case.
All the vital rights of minorities and ind
viduaIS are so plainly assured to them by afir
nation and negotiations, guarantees and pro
! hibitlons in the Constitution, that controyer
sizes never arise concerning them. But no or
ganc law can ever be framed with prov
sion specifically applicable to every question
which may occur in practical administration
| No foresight can anticipate nor any document
| of reasonable length contain express provi
sions 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 Sav
cry in the Territories The Constitution doe.
not expressly say. From questions of this
class spring all our constitutional controversies
and we divide upon them into majortieS anC
mnorites.
If the minority will not acquiesce the ma
iority must, or the Government must cease
There is no alternative for continuing the Go
vernment but acquieScence on the one side OF
| the other. If a minority in such a case viii
secede rather than acquiescc, they make pre-
cedent which in turn will ruin and divide them
! for a minority of their own will secede frou
them whenever majority refuses to be con
troed by such a minority
For instance, may not any portion of q
new confederacy, year or two hence, arbitra
rily Secede again. precisely as portions of the
present Union now claim to secede from it
All who cherish disunon 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 Union
as 20 produce harmony only and prevent re-
newcd secession :? Plainly, the central idea ol