Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-03-08

legal construction makes the Constitution as |
perpetual as the Union itself. The Union
is much older than the Constitution; it was
formed, in fact, by the articles of association
in liza. ltwas matured and continued by
the Declaration OF Independence, in 1776.
IL was further matured and the faith of all
the then thirteen States expressly plishted
and engaged that it should be perpetual by
the articles Of Confederation of ITS: and
finally In 1887, one of the declared objects
for ordaining and establishing the Oonstitu-
ton was TO form more perfect Union. But
if secession by one or by part only Of the
States be lawfully possible. then 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 ordin-
ances to that effect are legally void, and that
acts of violence within any State or States
against the authority of the United States
are insurreciionary or revolutionary, accord
ing to circumstances. | therefore consider
that, in view of the Constitution and laws,
the Union is uNbroken; and, to the extent of
my ability, shall take care, as the Consti-
tuition itself expressly enjoins upon me, that
| the laws of the Union shall be faithfully
executed in oil the States. Doing this, !
deem to be only o simple duty on my part,
and shall perform it, SO far as practicable,
unless my right(ul masters, tho American
people, shall withhold the requisite means,
| or in some authoritative manner direct the
| contrary. l trust this view is not regard ed
as menace, but only as the declared par
pose of the Union that it will constilutionaliy
defend and maintain ITSELF
! In do ng this, there need be no bloodshed
or violence; and there shall be none, unless
it be forced upon tho National authority
The power coniled to me will be used to
hold, occupy and possess the property and
places belonging to the Government, to col
Iect duties and imposts but beyond what
may be necessary for these objects there
will be no invasion, no using Of force, against
or among people anywhere. When hostility
to the United States in any interior locality
shall be so great and so criminal as to pre-
vent competent resident citizens from hold
ing Federal Offices, there viii be no attempt
to force obnoxious strangers among the people
Tor that object. While the strictly legal right
may exist in the Government to enforce the
exercise of these Offices, the attempt to do so
would be SO irritating, and so nearly i'm
|
torego for II time tle use Of such officers.
The mails, unless repealed, will continue to
be furnished to 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 reAec.
ton. The course here indicated will be fol-
lowed, unless current events and expediency
shall show a modification or change to be
proper. And in every case and exigency, my
best discretion will be exercised, according
to the circumstances actually existing, and
with view and hope Of a peaceful solution
of the national troubles, and the restoration
of .raternal sympathy and affection.
That there are persons in one section or
another who seek to destroy the Union at all
events, and who are glad of any pretext to do
it, will neither affirm or deny; but if there
be such, | will address no word. To. those,
however, who really love the Union, may
not speak? Before entering upon so grave
a matter as the destruction Of our national
fabric, with all its benefits, its mercies and
hopes, would it not be wsest to ascertain
why you hazard SO desperate step? While
there is any possibility that any portioa OF
the ills you fly from have no real existence,
while the certail ills you flee to are greeter
than all the real ones you fly from, will you
risk The commission of SO fearful a mistake :
All profess content If their Constitutional
rights can be maintained
, Is that true, then, that any right plainly
written in the Constit .tion has been denied
l think not. Happily, the humaa mind is
so constituted that no party can reach to
the audacity of doing this. Thiuk, if you
can, of o single instance in which a plainly
written provision OF tie Constitution has
ever been denied. If, by the mere force of
numbers, tho majority ehall deprive a mi
nority Of aDy clearly written constitu tional
right, in a moderate point of view, iustifying
revolution, it certainly would if such right
was vital enc, bnt such is not cur case.
The vital rights OF minorities of individu
ais are so plainly assured to them by affirm
alive ard legislative guarantees, and prohi-
btion ia the Cons tltuton, that controversies
never arise concerning them but no organi-
cation can ever be formed with . provision
specially applicable 80 every question which
may occur in practical adn instration. No
oresIght can anticipate, : or any document
of reasonable length contain express provis.
ions tor ell possible questions. Shall fug-
tlyes from labor he surrendered by Nation
or State? Tae Constitution does not ex-
pressly say. Must Congress protect Slavery
in the Territories? Tie Constitution does
not expressly say. From questions of this
c,ass sl,riug all. our Constitutional contro-
versles, and We divide upon them into
majorities and m!norities. If the minority
will not acqniesoe, the major ty must, or the
government ious5 cease. There is no alter-
native fov continuing the government but
to acqu;esce on the one sds or the other.
If minority, in such case, will secade
rather than acquiesce, they make a preced-
ent which will in time ruin and divide them;
for minority Of their own will secede from
them whenever majority refuses to be
controlled by such G minority. For instance,
why may not any portion of a new Confed-
eracy, q year or two hence, arbitrarily secede
again, precisely as portions of the present
Union claim to eecede from it? All who
! char!si. 3e.::ssu1ioa sentiments ere now being
educated to the exact point of doing this.
There is no apch perieot identity OF interests
among the States to compose new Union
as to produce harmony only and prevent
new secession. Plainly, the central idea of
secession is the essence Of anarchy. A
majority held in restraint by constitutional
checks and lin tations and always changing
easily with acioera1e changes OF popular
opinions and sentiments, is the only true
sovereignty Of free people. Whatever
rejects this docs Of necessity fly to anarchy
or despotism. Unanimity is impossible.
The rule Of the minority as a permanent
arrangement is wholly inadvisable. So that,
rejecting the majority principle, anarchy or
despotism in some form is all that is left.
do not forget the position assumed by
some, that con, titutional objections are to be
decided By the Supreme Court, nor do [ deny
| that such decisions must be bin ling in any
case to the parties to a suit as to the object
of that suit, wi lie they are also entitled to
very high respect and consideration in all
cases by all other departments of the Gov
ernmcnt While it is obviously possible
that such decisions may be erroneous in any
yiyen case. still the evil effect following it