The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-03-07


a law by means OF which to keep good that un-
anmous oath I
There is some difference of opinion of opin-
ion whether this clause should be enforced by
national or State authority, but surely that
difference is not a very materi;.i one. Ii the
slave is to be surrendered it can be CT but lit-
tie consequence to him or to others by which
authority il is done; and should any one, IN
any case, be contented that his oath shall oe
unkept on n merely unsubstantial controversy
as to how it shall be kept? Again, IN any law
upon this subject ought not ali the safeS uards
of liberty known in civilized and humane Jurls-
prudence to be introduced, that freeman
may not be in any case surrendered as slave {!
And might il not be WELL at the same tine, to
provide by law for the enforcement OF that
clause in the Constitution which guarantees
that ..the citizens of each State shall be enti-
tied to all the privileges and immunities OF
citizens IN the several States.
[ take tie official oath to-day with no men
tai reservation, and with purpose to con-
strue the Constitution or laws by any hypocri-
teal rules; and while [ do not choose now to
specify particular acts Of Congress proper
to be enforced, l do suggest that 1t Will be
much safer for all, both III official ana private
stations, to conform to and abide by all these
acts, which stand unrepcaled, than to violate
any OF them, trusting TO find inpunlty IN haS
ing them held to be unconstitutional.
Il is seyenty-fwo years since the first lnaug-
uration of a President under our national con-
stitution. Daring that period fifteen different
and greatly distinguished citizens have in sue
cesson administered the executive branch of
the Government. Thay have conducted 1T
through many perils, and generally with great
success yet with ali this scope for precedent,
l now enter upon the same task, for the brief
constitutional term of four years, under great
and peculiar difficulties. il disruption OF the
Federat Union, heretofore only menaced, Is
now fornidaby attempted. hold that, IN
contemplation of the universal law, and of the
Constitution, the Union Of these States is per-
petual. Pcrpctuity is implied, if not express
cd, in the fundamental law of AL national gov
ernments. It's safe TO assert that no govern
ment proper ever had a provision IN its organic
law for its termination. Ii we continue
to execute ali the express provisions o. our
National Constitution the Union will endure
forever; it being impossible to destroy it ex-
cept by some action not provided Tor III the
instrument itself
Again, if the United States be not Govern
lseut proper, but an association OF the States
III the nature Of contract merely, can it. as
u contract, be peaceably revoked by less than
al tho parties who made it? One party to q
contract may violate it, or break it, to
speak, but does it not require all to lawfully
rescind il? Descending from these general
principles, we find the proposition that in a
perpetually confr.ned by history of the
Union itself. The Union is much older than
the Constitution. Ii was formed in fact, by
the articles Of Association, in I774. 1t was
natured and continued by the Declaration of
Independence. in l716. 1t was further
tured, and the faith of all the thirteen stars
expressly pli@lted and enioined that it should
be perpetual, by the articles of Confederation,
in 1718, and finally in 1881. One of the de-
clared objects in ordaining and establishing
the Constitution TO form a perfect
union, by all or by part only of the States
Can it be lawfully possible the Union is less
than before. the Constitution having lost the
vital element of perpetuity?
1t follows from these views that no State
upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out
of the Union; that resolves and ordinances TO
that effect are legally void, and that acts Of
violence within any State or States against the
authority Of the United States are iusurrec-
tionary or revolutionary according to circum-
stances.
l therefore consider that in view of the Con-
sttution and laws, the Union is unbrohen. and
to the extent Of my ability | shall take care,
the Constitution itself expressly enjoins
me- that the laws of the Union be faithfully
executed III all the States. Doug this fdeem
TO be only .nple duty on my part, and |
shall perform it as far practicable, unless
my rightful masters, the American people,
authoritative manner direct the contrary. l
trust this will not be regarded menace.
but only az the declared purpose of the Unioa,
that u will constitutionally defend and main
tain itself In doing this there need be 10
bloodshCd or violence, and there shall be none
unless it be forced upon national authority.
The power confided to mcw will be ustd to hold,
occupy and possess the property and places
belonging to the Government; to collect duties
and imposts; but beyond what may be neces-
sary for these objects, here viii be no invasion,
using of force against or among the people
anywhere. Where hostility to The United
States, in any interior locality, shall be so
great, and so universal, as to prevent compe-
tent resident citizens from holding federal OIL
ces, there Will be TO attempt 20 force obnoxious
strangers among the people for that object.
While the strict legal right may exist in the
government to enforce the exercise of these
Offices, the attempt 10 do so would be so irri-
tating, and so nearly impraeticable withal,
that deem it better to forego for some time
the use of such Offices The mails, II Mess re-
PEELED. will continue to be furnished in all
parts of the Union, so far as possible The
of ofsecurity which is most favorable to calm
thought and reflection.
The course here indicated will be followed.
unless current events and experience shall
show mo- ufication or change to be proper,
and i'll every case and exigency my discretion
viii be exercised according to circumstances
actu1lly existing, and with q view and hope
Of a peaceful solution of the national troubles,
the restoration OF the fraterual sympatlies
and affections. That there are some persons
in one section another who seek to destroy
the Union at ali events, and would be glad of
any pretext to do it, | will neitLer affirm nor
Aa ler1t hare I