Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-03-13

shall contlue to execute all the express nro
visions OF our National Constitution, and the
Union will endure forever, il being impossible
to destroy 1t except by some action not proyi-
ded lor IN The instrument itself. Again. if the
United States be not government proper, but
an association Of States in the nat urc of con-
tract merely, can 1t as contract be peaceably
unmade by less than all the parties who made
iti One party TO the contract may violate IT.
or break it, so to speak, but does it not require
all to lawfully rescind itl
Descending from these general principles
we find the proposition that in legal contem-
plation of the case, Union is perpetual con.
tirmed by the history Of the Union itself The
Union is much older than the Constitution
1t was formed in part by the articles of usso.
citation in l77I. 1t was matured aud continued
by the Declaration Of Independence in l776
Ii was further maturcd, and the faith of all the
then thirteen States expressly plighted aud en-
gagged that it should be perpetual by the arti.
cIes of confederation in l17S, and finally in
1889. One OF the declared objects for ordain-
ing and establishing the Constitution, was to
form more perfect Union but If the dcstruc-
ton of the Union by one or by part only of
the States be lawfully possible, the Union is
less than before the Constitution; having lost
the vital element Of perpetuity, ii follows from
motion can lawfully get out Of the Union that
resolves or ordinances to that effect are legal
Iy void, and that acts Of violence within any
} State or States against the authority Of the
| United States, are inSurrCCtiOnary or rcvolu-
! honary, 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
t tho Constitution expressly cnioinS on me, that
, the laws OF the Union he faithfully executed
in all the States. Doing that deem to be
only a simple duty on my part, aud shall
perform II so far as Practicable, unless my
I rlghtiul masters, the American people, shall
+ withhold the requisite means, or in some au-
f thoritative manner direct the contrary. |
, trust this will not he regarded as a menace
, but only as the declared purpose OF the Union,
that | Will consitutiOnally defend and main.
, tain it. In doing this there need be no blood
d. shed or violence, and there shall be none un-
less it I've forced upon the National authority.
The power cOntided TO me will be used to held,
occupy, and possess the property and places
belonging to the government. and to collect
the dutieston imports but beyond what may
be necessary for these objects there will he no
, invasion, no using Of force against or among
! the people anywhere. Where hostility to the
Unite States in any interior locality shall be
. so great and so universal as to prevent compc-
tent resident citizens from holding Federal of.
fees, there shall be no attempt to force ObnoX.
Ous strangers among the people for that oh.
ject, whIlc the strict legal right may exist in
the government to enforce the exercise of
these officers, the attempt to do so would be
so irritating, and so nearly unleasblc with
l all, that deem it better to forcgo for time
the uses Of such officers.
The mails, unless repelled, 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 the most
favorable and calm thought and reflection on
? the part Of the Government can give them.
The course here indicated will he followed,
, unless current events and experience shall
show modification or change to be proper,
and in every case and GXigency my best dis.
5 erection shall bo exercised according to cir
cumStanccs actually existing, and with view
and hope of peaceful solution OF the nation
, al troubles and tho restoration Of iratcrnal
} sympathics and affections. That there are
r persons in one section or another who seek Ia
/ destroy the Union at all events, and are glad
4 OF any preicxt to do it, will neither affirm
nor deny bnt il there be such, need address
no word to them.
a To those, however, who really love the L
e nion may not speak, before entering upon
| so grave matter as the destruction Of Oul
4 national fabric with all its benefits, its mem
0 cries and its hopes Would it not be wis
S to ascertain previously, why we do 50 ! vii
n you hazard SO desperate step while there l.
; any possibility that any portion of the ills you
- fly from have no real existcncc2 While the
1 certain ills you fly to are greater than all the
, real ones you fly from, Will you risk the com
S mission of SO fearful a mistake All prof, 81
. to be content in the Union, If all Constitu
1 tional rights can be maintained. Is it true
then that any right plainly written in the Con.
v stitution has been denied | think not
Il Happily the human mind is so constituted that
I no party can reach to the audacity OF doing
, this Think if you can of single instance
G in which plainly written provision of The
c Constitution has ever been denied. IT, by The
y mere force Of numbers, majority should de
Y priye a minority of any clearly written Const
=. tutiOnal right, it might in moral point o
4 view, justify revolution. II certainly would
0 If such a right were vital one. But such Il
= not our case. All the vital rights Of minori
@ ties and of individuals are so plainly secured
r to them by atlirmations and negations, guar
: antees. and prohibitions in the Constitution
III that controversies never arise concerning
j. them.
: But no organic law can be framed with
y provision specifically applicable to every ques
: tion which may occur in practical administra
v ton No foresight can anticipate, nor an.
It document of reasonable length contain expires
/. provisions for all possible questions. ShaI
II fugtives from labor be surrendered 10y Nation
l. al or State authority The Constitution doe
" not expressly say. May Congress prohibi
/ slavery in the Territories The Constitutio
% does not expressly say. Must Congress pro
/. tect slavery in the Territories The Consti
tuition does not expressly say. From ques
e tions OF this class spring all our Constitutions
A. controversies, and we divide upon them int
IN maiorities and mnorities. II the minorlt
is win not acquiesce the majority must, or th
10 government must cease. There is no othe
!. alternative for continuing the Government bu
" acquiescence on the one side or the other.
or a minority in such case will secede rather tha
,r acquiesce, they make a precedent which
n, turn will divide and ruin them, for minorit
N of their own will secede from them wheney'
!. a majority refuses to be controlled by such
IA ,oinnriiy For instance Nyhv may not no