The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-03-09

oNs va sn0 Outou THAT FSSOlsSc duu OIOI
aances to that effect are legally void ans
that acts of violence within any States agains
the authority of the United States are revo
lutionary according TO circumstances.
therefore consider that, in view of the Con
stitution and laws. the Union is unbroken
and to the extent of my ability shall tax,
care las the Constitution itself expressly en-
joins) that the laws of the Union be faith
fully observed in all the States. Doing thi,
l deem to be only simple duty on my part
and shall perform it so far as practicable
unless my rightful masters, the American
people, shall withhold the requisite means
or in some authoritative manner direc. to the
contrary. trust this will not be regarded
as menace, but only as the declared pur.
pose of the Union that it will constitutionally
defend and maintain itself. In doing this
there need be no bloodshed nor violence, and
there shall be none, unless it be forced on the
national authority. The power confded to me
will be used to hold, occupy and possess the
property and places belonging to the Gov.
eminent, and collect duties on imports, bat
beyond what may be necessary for there OBJ
jects there will be no using of force against
or among people anywhere. Where hostil-
ity to the United States in any interior loca.
ton shall be so great and so universal as to
prevent competent resident citizens from
holding Federal offices, there will be no at
tempt to force obnoxious strangers among the
people that object. While the strict legal
right may exist in the Government to en-
force the exercise of these Offices, the at
tempt to do SO would be so irritating and so
nearly impracticable withal, that deem it
better to forego for time the use of such
Offices.
The mails, unless repealed, will continue
TO be furnished in all points 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 indicated
will be followed, unless current events and
experience shall show a modification or
change to be proper, and in every case and
exigency my best discretion will be exer-
cised according to circumstances actually
existing, and with view and a hope of a
peaceful solution of the national troubles,
and the restoration of the fraternal sympa-
thies and affections. That there are per-
sons in one section or another who seek to
destroy the Union, or at all events are glad
of any pretext to do it, l will neither affirm
hOI OCuJ1 OuS IL SuCIO VIC 6uCu ! u6Su
dress no word to them. To those, howev-
er, who really love the Union, may speak
before entering upon so grave matter as
the destruction of our national fabric, with
ali its benefits, its memories and hopes.
Would it not be wiser to ascertain previous
ly why we do and will hazard so desperate
a step while there is any possibility that any
portion of the ills youfiy from have any real
existence? Will you, while the certain ills
you fly to are greater than all the real ones
you fly from, risk the commission of so fear.
full mistake? All profess to be content in
the Union if all constitutional rights can be
Is it true, then, that any right
plainly written in the Constitution has been
denied? I think not. Happily the human
mind is so constituted that no party can
reach to the sudacity of doing this. Think it
you can, of single instance in which
plainly written provision of the Constitu-
ton has ever been denied.
If by the mere force Of numbers a
majority shall deprive a minority of any
clearly written Constitutional right, it might,
in moral point of view, justify a revolu-
ton. 1t certainly would if such a right
we're vital one, but such is not our case.
All the vital rights of minorites and of in
are so plainly assured by them,
oy affirmation and negotiations, guarantees
and propositions in the Constitution, that
never arise concerning them;
put no organic law can be framed with a
provision specifically applicable to every
question which may occur i'll practical ad
No foresight can anticipate,
Tor any document of reasonable length con-
ain express provisions for all possible ques-
ions. Shall fugitives from labor be sur
endered by National or State authority ? |
rhe Constitution does not expressly say. |
Nay Congress prohibit slavery in the Ter
itories Must Congress protect slavery !
n the Territories The Constitution does |
lot expressly say. From questions of this
lass spring all our controversies, and we
ivide upon them into majorities and minor
lies. If the minority will not acquiesce,
he majority must, or the Government mnst
ease. There is no other alternative for
ontinuing the Government but acquiescence
N the one side or the other. If minority
n such case will secede rather than acqui-
see, they make precedent which in turn
Vill divide and ruin them; for minority
f their own will secede from them whenev-
r a majority refuses to be controlled by
uch minority. For instance, why may
OF portion of new confederacy, year
r two hence, arbitrarily secede again pre-
isely as portions of the present Union row
lain to secede from il All who cherish
isunion sentiments, are now being educa-
ID to the exact temper of doing this. Is
mere such perfect identity of interest among
be States to compose a new Union as to
reduce harmony only and prevent renewed
Plainly, the central idea of secession is
he essence of anarchy. A majority held
l restraint by constitutional checks and
and always changing easily with
he deliberate changes of popular opinion
nd sentiment, is the only true sovereign of
free people. Whoever rejects it does of
eeessity fly to anarchy and despotism. Una
unity is impossible. The rule of minor
y, as permanent arrangement is wholly
So that, rejecting the major
= principle, anarchy and despotism in
,me form is all that is left
/ do not forget the position assumed by
'me that Constitutional questions are to be ;
scided by the Supreme Court; nor do 1 de-
? that such decisions must be binding in
" case upon the parties to suit. AS to
e objects of that suit, while they are also j,