Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-03-07

peak; but does 10 Dot require all to lawfully I
ecind it.
Descending from these general principles
We find the proposition that, in legal conten-
plation, the Union is perpetual, confirmed by
he history of the Uuion itself The Union
$ much older than the Constitution. 1t was
formed in fact by the Articles Of Association
IN 1174. 1t was rlatured and continued by
Tho Declaration of Independence in NO.
It was further maturcd and the faith Of all
the then thirteen States expressly plighted
and engaged that it should be perpetual, by
the Articles of Confederation in 1878.
And finally. in 1887, one Of the declared
objects for ordaining and establishing the
Consultation. was 10 form more perfect
Eiuon' But if destruction Of the Union by
ono OF by part only Of the States, be law
fully possible. the Union is less perfect than
before, the Constitution having lost the vital
element Of perpetuty.
1t follows from these views that no State,
upon its own mere motion, can lawfully get
out of the Unon-that resolres and Orciinan-
ces to that effect are legally void, and that
acts Of violence within any State or States
against the authority of the United States,
are nsul rectionary or revolutionary, accor-
ding to circumstances.
therefore consider, that In view Of tho
ConstitutiCa and the laws, the Union is I'M
broken, and to the extent Of my ability
shall take care. rs the Constitution itself eX
pressly cnjoines upon me, that the laws OF
the Union be faithfully executed in all the
States. Doing this deem to be only sim
pie duty on my part and shall perform il
e 10 ,,,ln,, III b tf,,l
ters the American people shall withhold the
requisite means, or in some affirmative man
ner direct the contrary.
trust this will not DO regarded rs a mep-
ace, but only as the declared purpose of the
Union that 1t pM Constitutionaly defend and
maintain itself. In doing this there needs &c
be no blooashed or violence. and there shal
be none, unless it be forced upon the national
authority.
The power conGded to me will DO used &c
hold. occupy and possess the property and
places belonging to the Government, and t.
collect the duties AID 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, il
any interior locality, shall be SO great and SC
universal as to present competent resident
citizens from holding the Federal Offices, there
will be no attempt to force obnoxious stran'
gers among tho people for that object.
While tho strict legal right may exist il
the Government to enforce the exercises o.
these offices, the attempt to do so would be
so irritating, and SO nearly inpracticabi,
withal, that deem it better to forcgo for the
| time the uses of such Offices, The mails, I'm.
less repealed, will continue to be furnished tc
all paats Of the Union. So far rs possible
the people everywhere shall have that sense
| Of perfect security which is most favorable
to calm thought and reflection.
| Tho course here indicated will be followed
unless current events and experience shall
show modification or change to DO proper
and in every case and exigency my best dis
cretion will be exercised, according to circun,-
stances actually existing and with view
and hope Of peaceful solution Of the nat.
nal sympathiss and affections.
That there are persons in one section oil
another who seek to destroy the Union al
all events, and are glad OF any pretext to dc
it, | will neither affirm or deny; but if there
DO 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 its hopes.
would it not be wise TO ascertain precisely
why We do it,
VIII you hazard so desperate a step, while
there is any possibility that any portion OF
the ills You ily from have no real existence
Will you-while the certain ills you fly &c
are greater than all the real ones you fly
from-wll you risk the commission Of SC
fearful mistake?
All profess to DO content in the [ uion, il
all Constitutional rights can be maintained
Is it true then that any right, plainly writ
ten in the Constitution, has been denied ?
think not. Happily the human mind is 10
constituted that no party can reach to the
audacity of doing this. Think, il you can
Of single instance in which a plainly-wrt-
ten provision of the Constitution has ever
been denied
If, by mere force Of numbers, a majority
should deprive a minority Of any clearly.
written constitutional right, it might. in a
moral point of view, justify revolution GER
tainly would, is such = right were vital
enc. But such is not our case. All the vi
tai rights Of minorities and Of individuals
are SO plainly assured them by aflirmations
mud ncsations, guarantees and provisions in
the Constitution, that controversies never
arise concerning them. But no organic law
can ever be framed with provision speci6.
cally applicable TO every question which may
81 -, r
sight can anticipate, nor any document Of
reasonable length contain express provision,
for all possible questions. Shall lugitives
from labor he surrendered Ly national OF
State authority? The Constitution does not
expressly say May Congress prohibit sla-
very in the Territories? The Constitution
does not expressly say:-Hust Congress pro-
tect slavery in the Territories The Consti-
tuition does not expressly say.
From questions OF this class spring all our
controversies, as We divide upon them into
maiorities and mnorities. Ii the minority
will not acquiesca, the majority must, or the
Goveriment must cease. Theie is no other
alternative; for continuing the Government
is acqviescence on one side or the other. II
n minority in such case will secedo rather
than acquiesce, they make precedent which
in turn, will divide and ruin them.
For minority Of their own will secsds
from them whenever a majority refuses to b.
controlled BY such minoaity. For Instance,
why may not any portion OF a new Confe,l-
eracy year or two hence ARBITRARILY secsde
again, precisely as portions Of the present
Union now claim to seco!s from it. All who
cherish disunion sentiments are now being
educated to the exact temper OF doing this.
Is there such perfect identity OF interests
among the States TO compose new Union
as to produce harmony only, and prevent
new secession? Plainly, the central idea Of
secession is the essence Of anarchy
A majority held in restraint by consttu-
tional checks and limitations and always
changing easily with deliberate changes Of
popular opinions and sentiments, is the only
true sovereign Of free peope. whoeyer re-