Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-01-04

a PATRIOTIC voice from Penusylvania.
Gov Packer, of Pennsylvania, sent his An
nua Message to the Legislature Of that State on
Wednesday. In his review Of the affairs of the
nation at present, he exhibits patriotic devo
zion to the Union, and like true friend Of the
country oals upon the weak old man now Mt the
head of affairs at Washington, to use the federal
authority with which he is clothed, to nut down
the treason and rebellion of the South The
Governor is not believer in the right of seces.
sioni nor does he much admire the disgraceful
inactivity Of the President iu regard to his sworn
duties as the Chief Magistrate of the whole
Union. Upon these points he is very clear
We give an extract:-
"0u behalf of the advocates of secession. II
is claimed that this Union is merely "A com.
pact between the several Sthtes composing it
aud that any one Of the States, which NAV
feel aggrieved, may, at its PLEASURE declare
that it will no longer be party to tile com
pact. his doctrine is clearly erroneous
The Constitution Of the United States is some.
thing more than mere compact or agree.
ment between the several States. As applied
to nations, u compact is but O treaty. which
may be abrogated at the will Of either party
! iidhuuHlblN " btutT pufNy lot Ms bad
faith in refusing to keep its engagements. hut
entirely irresponsible to any superior tribunal
A government on the other hand, wi ether
created by consent, or by conquest, when
clothed with legislative, judicial and executive
powers is necessarily in its nature SOVEREIGN :.
and from this sovereignty flows its right to
enforce its laws and DEGREES by civil PROCESS.
and, in an emergency, by its military aud ua.
val power. The government owes protection
TO the people, and they, in turn, owe it their
allegiance. Its laws cannot be violated by its
citizens without accountability to the tribunals
created 10 enforce its DEGREES, and to punish
offenders. Organized resistance to il is re.
belion. II successful, it may be purged Of
crime by revolution. Ii unsuccessful, tie per.
sons engaged in the rebellion may be executed
as traitors. The Government Of the United
States, within the limits assigned to it. is as
potential in sovereignty us any other Cavern.
meut in the civilized world The Constitution
and laws made in pursuance thereof, are ex-
pressly declared to be the supreme law of the
land, Under the Constitution, the General
Government has the power to raise and sun
port armies, to create and maintain fl navy
aud to provide for calling forth the militia t.
execute its laws, suppress instruction. and
repel invasion. Appropriate statutes have beer
enacted by Congress, to aid in the execution
OF these important governmental powers.
The creation of the Federal Government. with
the powers enumerated in the Constitution. WINS
the act of the people of the United States, and
It's perfectly immaterial that tue people Of the
several States acted separately within the terri.
torial limits of each State. The form of their
action is of no consequence, in view Of the fact
that they created u Federal Government, to which
they surrendered certain powers of sovereignty,
aud declared those powers thus surrendered, IL
be supreme, without reserying to the States. OF
to the people, the right of secession, nnli6ea.
ton, or other resistance. 1t is therefore clear
that there is no constitutional right of secession
Secession is only another form of null LITIGATION.
Either, when attempted to be carried ont by
force, is rebellion, and should be treated as such
by those whose sworn duty il is to maintain the
supremacy Of the Constitution and laws OF the
| United States"
This coming from Democrat, who is the
Chief Executive officer of the State of Penusyl
vaniS-the State too, which made Mr. Buchanan
President-is entitled to some consideration
from those who support the President in his
utilization with the secessionsts. They would
do well to read the whole message but if thew
will not, even the little extract above quoted
filed as it is with patriotic sentiments will do
them good, if they will but digest it thoroughly.