Red Wing sentinel., 1861-03-13

Of the United States, arc insurrectionary or
rcvolutionry according to circumstances r.,
therefore consider that in view Of the
Constitution and law, the Union is unb.ok--
en-, and to The c. t,ot of my ali ity, I shall
take care as the Constitution itself expressly
cnjoins on me, that the laws of tho
Union be faithfully executed in SaA tina
States. In doing this deem st 10
be a simple duty on my part, and
shall perform it, so far as practicable.
unless my righttul masters-tke American
people-shall wi,Lold the requisite means orl
in some authoritative manner, direct the con-
trary.
trust this will not lie regarded az aa mcn-
ace, but only as q declared purpose Of sthe
Union that it will constitutionaly defend aud
maintain ITSELF In doing this there need be
no blood shed or violence, and there shall be
none unless it be forced upon the national au-
thority.
The power confdcd to me will be used to
hold, occupy and possess the property and
places belonging to the government. to collect
duties and imposts. but beyond what may be
necessary Tor these Objects these objects there
will be no invasion, no using of force aguins;
or among people anywhere; where hostility
to The United States in any interior locality
shall be so great and so universal as to pre-
vent competent resident citizens from holding
federal Offices, there will be no attempt TO
force obnoxious strangers among peopl,
that object. While the strict legal right may
exist in the Government to cntcrcc the exer
cisc Of these Offices, the attempt to do so
would be so irritating anl socially imprac,i:-
able witha|, that deem it better to torgo
for time the uses Of such Offices. The mails,
unless repc!led will continue to be furnished
in all points OF the Uncn. So far as possible
the people everywhere shall have that sense OF
perfect security which is most favorable to
calm thoughts at reflection. The course
here indicated vii! oc followed unless current
events and experience shall show modii-
cation or change to be proper, and in every
case and exigency my best discretion will be
exercised according to circumstances actually
existing, and with 4 view and hope of q
peaceful solution Of the national troubles
and the restoration of fraternal feelings.
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 upoh so
grave matter as the destruction Of our Nj.
iiona fabric, with all its benefits, its memories
and hopes, would it not be wise to ascertain
previously why we do it? Will you hazard
so desperate step where there is any pos
sibility that any portion OF the ills you fly
from have no real existence? Will you invite
the certain ills you flee to which may be
greater than all real ones you fly from? VIII
you risk the commission of so fearful a mis-
take? All profess TO be contcnted in the
Union If all constitutional rights can be mail,-
tanned. Is it true then that any right plainly
written in the Constitution has been denied?
think not Happily the human mind is so
constituted that 10 party can reach to the au-
dacity Of doing this.
Think, if you car, of a single instance in
which a plainly written provision of the Con-
stitution has ever been denied. II by mere
force Of numbers maj jority shall deprive a
minority Of any clearly written constitutional
right, it might, in moral point of view, JUS
iiiy revolutions; it certainly would if such
right was vital one; but such is not our
case. The vital rights Of minorities and OF
individuals are so plainly assured to them by
affirmations and legal guarantees and prohibi.
tions of the Constitution, that controversies
never arise concerning them. But no organic
law can ever be framed with provision Spec
tally applicable to every question which may
occur in practical administration No fore
sight can anticipate, nor any document Of
reasonable length contain express provisions
for all possible questions. Shall fugilives
from labor DC surrendered by National vr
State authorities? The Constitution docs not
expressly say. Must Congress protect slavery
in Territories? The Constitution docs not
expressly say. From questions of this class
spring al! our constitutional controversies and
we divide upon them into majorities and mi.
norities. II the minority will not acquic:c,
majorities must, or the Government must
cease. There is no alternative for continuing
the Government but acquiescencc on the one
side or the other.
If the minority in such case will, seccdc
rather than acqUicscc, they make q psrcce;,
dent which vii! III turn ruin and divide them;
Tor minority Of their own will secedc from
them whenever Il majority shall refuse to be
controlled by sncli u minority. :. For instance,
why may not any portion Of a new confed-
eracy year or two hence arbitrarily scccde
again. precisely rs portions Of the present
Union now claim to- .seCedc from it. All
who cherish dislnion sentiments are now be-
ing educated to the exact temper of doing
this Is there such perfect identity OF inter.
csts among the States tc compose a new Union,
as to produce harmony only apd prevent a.
new secession ? PiamlvAtl,e central idea OF
SccnSSi0D is the rsSrnce pf onnrcbv
A majority held in restraint by constitu-
tional checks, limitations, and always cauy-
ing easily with deIioera.c~chahecso Of popular
opinion and sentiments, is the only true SOW
creigu of free people. Whoever rejects il
does Of necessity fly 70 anarchy or dcspotism.
Unanmity is inpossib:c-thc rule OF the mi
nority, as permanent arrangement, is wholly
inadmssib!e-so that rejecting the majority
principle, ararchy'or dcspotism is all that is
left.
l do not forget the position assumed by
some that Constitutional objections are to be
decided By the Supreme Court; Dor do deny
that such decisions ,aust be binding in any
case to the parties to suit, as well as to the
objects Of that suit. While they arc also
entitled to very high respect and considera.
lion in ull parallel cases, by al! other Depart
ments of Tie Guycrnment, and while it is ob-
yious y possible that sUch decision may be-
erroneous in any given case, still the evil cf-
|ects following it, being limited to that par
iicular case, with the chance that it may he
overrulcd and never become precedent for