The daily true Democrat., 1861-03-09

have, in succession, adm nistered the exec utive branch of the Government. They have conducted it through many perils, and generally with great success, yet, with all this scope for precedents, l now enter upon the same task for the brief constitu- tional term of four years, under great and peculiar difficulties. A disruption of the federal union, heretofore only menaced, IS now formidably admitted. hold that in contemplation of universal law and of the constitution, the union of these States IS perpetual. Perpe;uty is implied, If not expressed in the fundamental law of nation al governments. It is safe to assert that no government proper, ever had provs- ion in it's organic law for its own formation. Continue to execute all the agreeable pro visions of our national constitution and the union will endure forever, 1t being impos sible 10 destroy 1t except by some action not provided for in the instrument itself.
 Again, if the United States be not a government proper, but an association of States, in the nature of contract merely, can it, as a contract be practically unmade by less than all the parties who made it? One party to a contract may violate it. break it, so to speak, but does it not re- quire all to lawfully rescind it? Descend ing from these general principles, we find the proposition, that, in legal complication the union is perpetual, confirmed by the his ory of the union itself The union Is much older than the constitution. It was formed, in fact, by the articles of associa- ton in 1774. It was matured and contin- ued by the Declaration of Independence in %1716 It was further fmatured, and the faith of all the then thirteen States was ex- pressly plighted and engaged that it should be perpetual.
 By the articles of confederation, in 177S, and finally in l7S7, one of the declared ob- iects for ordaining and establishing the constitution, was to form more perfect union. But if the destruction of the union by one, or by part only of the States, be lawfully possible, the union is less perfect than before the constitution, having lost the vital element of perpetuity.
 IL follows, from these views, that no State, upon it's own mere motion, can lawfully go out of the Unon-that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of violence in any State, States, against the authority of the United States, are insurrectionary or revolutionary, ac- cording to circumstances I, therefore, consider that, in view of the Constitution and the laws, the Union is uilbroken; and to the extent ot my abili- ty shall take care, as the Constitution itself ex- pressy enioins upon me to do that the laws of the Union shall be faithfully executed in all the States Doins this l deem 1t to be only simple duty on my part, and shall perform it 50 far practicable, unless my rightfu masters, the American people, shall withhold the requisite means, or, in some au- tholitative manner, direct the contrary. 1 trust that this will not be regarded as menace, but only as the declared purpose of theUnion, that it will c3nstitusionally defend and maintain itself.
 In doing this, there needs to be no boodshed or violence, and there shall be none, unless forced upon the national authority.
 The power confded to me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belong ing to the goVernment, and to collect the duties and imp0sts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using force against or among the people anywhere. Where hostility to the United States in any inte- rior locality shall be so great and so universal as to prevent competent resident citizens from hold ing the federal offices, there will be no attempt to force obnoxious strangers among the people for thas object. While the strict legal right may exist in the government to enforce the exercises of these offices, the attempt to do would be nearly inn practcabe withal, that deem it better to forego, for the time, the uses of such offices.
 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 is most favorable to calm thought and reflection. The course here in dcate1 will be followed, unless current events and experience shall show modification or change to be proper; and in every case and exigency my best discretion will be exercised according to circum. stances actually existing, and with a view to and hope of peaceful solution of the national trou- bIe3, and the restoration of fraternal sympathies and affections. That there are persons in one section or another who seek to destroy the Union at l events and are glad of any pretext to do it, I will neither affirm nor deny. but if there be su.h, need address words to them. To those, however, who really love the Union, may l not speak?
 Before entering upon so grave matter as the destruction of our national fabric, with all its memories ard it's hopes, would it not be wise to ascertain precisely why we do it? Will you haz- arl so desperate step, whiesthere is any possi- bity that any portion of the ills you fly from have no real existence2 Will you, while the certliu ills you Ay to- are greater than all the ills you fly fromf Will you risk the commissNn of so fearful a mis- tske2 All profess to be content in the Union, 1t all constitutional rights can be maintained- Is 1t tue, then, that any right, plainly written in the ~ ~ lIar.