Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-03-13

and possess the property aud places belonging to
the Government" 10 say the least of it, this is
equivocal language. I am not going to condemn
him for it; my present object is not to censure but
to ascertain the true meaning of the inaugural, in
order to learn whether the Administration is COM
mitted to an aggressive policy, which must nevita-
bly, involve us in civil war, to peaceful solution
of our national troubles. He says further, but
beyond what may be necessary for these Objects
there will be no INVASION using of force against
or among the people anywhere" He will use the
power con6ded to him to hold, occupy, and possess
the forts and other property, and to collect the
revenue; but beyond these objects he will not use
that power | am unable to understand the pro-
priety of the distinction between enforcing the
revenue laws and all other laws. If it is his duty
to enforce the laws, why is it not his duty
to enforce the other laws of the land? What right
has he to say that he will enforce those laws that
enable him to raise revenue, to levy and collect
taxes from the people, and that he will not enforce
the laws which protect the rights of persons and
property to the extent that the Constitution coners
the power in those States? reject the distinction;
it cannot be justified in law or in morals II taxes
are 20 be collected and the revenue laws are to be
enforced, the laws that afford protection. as COM
pcnsation for the taxes, must also be enforced
The next paragraph is also Objectionable. will
read it:
"Where hostility to the United States in any interior To-
cay shall be great and universal to compe-
resident citizens from holding the federal Offices there
will be attempt obnoxious strangers among the
people for that object. While the strict legal right may
exist in the to enforce the exercise of these Of
fees. the attempt to do would be irritating and so
nearly mpractc ble wtha deem better to forego for
the time the uses Of such offices"
rejoice to know that be will not attempt to force
obnoxious strangers to hold office in the interior
places where public sentiment is hostile; but why
draw the distinction between "interor localities
and exterior places? Why the distinction between
the States in the interior and those upon the sea
board? If he has the power in the one case, he has
it in the other; if it be his duty in the CASE it
the Constitution the laws which authorizes dis
tincton between the places upon the sea-board and
the places in the interior
This brings me to the consideration Of another
clause in the message which deem the most i'm
portant of all, and the key to his entire policy.
rejoiced when read this declaration, and wish to
invite the attention of the Senate to it especially, as
showing conclusively that Mr. Lincoln stands pledg-
ed to that policy which will lead to peaceful solu
tion and against every policy that leads to the con-
trary. l will read the paragraph:
"The course here indicated will be followed, unless
rent and experience shall show modification or
change to be ploper, and every and exgency
best discretion will be exercised according to the crcu
stances actually existing, and with and hope OF
peaceful solution Of the national troubles and the restor
tion of fraterna sympathes and affections
After indicating the line of policy which he would
pursue If consistent with the peace Of the country,
he tells emphaticay that that course will be fol-
lowed unless notifications and changes should be
necessary to peaceful solution of the national trou
bles and if in any case or exgency change OF poll
cy should be necessary, it will be made with view
and hope of peaceful solution" In other words,
if the collection of the revenue leads to peaceful
ic 70 ha Tho ahapd IF
that policy is necessary to peaceful solution, the
revenue is not to be collected if the recapture Of
Fort Moultrie would tend to peaceful solution, he
stands pledged to recapture it; if the recapture
would tend to violence and war, he is pledged not
to Iecapture it; if the enforcement of the laws in
the seeding States would tend to facilitate peace
full solution, he is pledged to their enforcement if
the omission to enforce those laws would best faci
tate peace he is pie dyed to omit to enforce them;
if maintaining possession of Fort Sumter would ia
ctate peace he stands pledged to retain its posses
sion; it. on the contrary the abandonment of Fort
Sumter and the withdrawal of the troops would ia
ciitae peaceful solution he is pledged to abandon
the fort and withdraw the troops
Sir, this is the only construction that can put
upon this clause If this be not the true interpre-
tation for what purpose was it inserted? The line
Of policy that he had indicated was stated vaguely
but there is not pledge to use coercion; there
is not pledge to retain fort; there is not
pledge to recapture an arsenal; there is not
pledge to collect revenue there is not pledge to
enforce the laws unless there attached to each the
condition; and the condition is, that he will do it
only when that course tends to peaceful solution
of the national troubles and that he will not do it
in any case where it does not tend to peaceful
luton.
Isubmt, then, to the Senate whether the friends
of peace have not much to rejoice at in the naugu-
raj address of the President 1t is much more
! conservative document than | had anticipated 1t
is much more pacific and conciatory paper than
! | had expected. would not venture the expires
sion of an opinion upon 1t hearing 1t delivered
until had carefully examined and analysed it. AZ
ter examination, am clearly Of the opinion that the
Administration stands pledged by the inaugural to
peaceful solution of all difficulties to do no act
that leads to war, and to change its policy Just so
often and whenever change is necessary preserve
| the peace.
So much, sir, for the policy of the Administration.
| Now few words upon the Presidents views o. the
present difficulties and the remedies for those diff
culties. In manner peculiar to himself and to his
usual course of argument he proceeds to show first
what did not produce the trouble. Let us see what
did not do it,
"A profess be content in the Unlon i: all constu.
onal rights be maintained Is it true, them that any
right, plainly written in the Constitution has been denied
| + think not. Happily the human mind is constituted
no party can reach 10 lne audaclty O1 DONG this
Think if you can, of single instance in which plainly.
written provision of the Constitution has been denied
II by the mere force Of numbers majority should deprive
minority of any cIearl written constitutional right il
might in moral point Of view, Justify revoution certain
ly would if such right were vital one But such moi
our case"
Here we are told that these difficulties have moi
grown out of the violation of any express provision
of the Constitution; they have not arisen from thu
denial of any right guaranteed by an express provi
c0n IIa fhopr oIc CHI hat, H.
of the trouble. Here it is:
"But organic law ever be framed with provision
specifically applicable to question which may occu
in practical administration. No foresight can anticipate
any document of reasonable length contain EXPIRES
provisions for all possible questions Shall ugves iron
labor be surrendered by national by State authority
The Constitution does not expressly say. May Congress
prohibit slavery in the Territories? The Constitution doe
not expressly Must Congress protect slavery III
Territories? The Constitution docs expressly say
From questions Of this class spring all constitution,
controversies and divide upon them into maoritles
minOrities."
Eroun &c ole III