Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-03-13

shall continue 10 execute all the cXpresg pro-
visions Of our National Constitution, and the
Union will endure forever it being impossible
to destroy II except 10y some action not proyi-
dcd for IN the instrument itself. Again, If tho
United States be not government proper, but
an association OF States in the nature Of a con
tract merely, can II as a contract be pcaccably
unmade by less than all the parties who made
il One party TO the contract may violate It,
or break it, so to speak, but does it not require
all TO aWiullyrescind III -
Descending ffom thcse general principles,
we find the proposition that in a legal cOutcm.
plation Of the case, Union is perpetual, con.
trmcd by the history Of the Union itself. Tho
Union Is much older than the Constitutions
II was formed in part by the articles Of assO.
citation in l71l. Itwas matured and continued
by the Declaration Of Independence in l77G.
II was further maturcd, and the faith Of all the
then thirteen States expressly pIlghted aud en-
gagged that il should be perpetual by the arti-
cles Of confederation in l77S, and finally in
1883. One Of the declared objects for ordain-
ing and establishing the Constitution, was to
form more perfect Union but II the deslruc-
tion of the Union 10y one or by part only OF
the States be lawfully possible, the Union is
less than before the Constitution; having lost
the vital element Of perpetuity, it follows from
these views that no State upon its own mere
motion can lawfully get ont Of the Union that
resolves or ordinances to that effect are legal
ly void, and that acts OF violence within any
state or States against the authority Of the
United States, are insurrcctiUnary or rcyolu-
tionary, according to circumstances
therefore consider that in view Of the Con-
stitution and laws the Union is unbrokcn, and
to the extent OF my ability shall take care, as
the Constitution expressly cnjOnS on me, that
the laws OF the Union be faithfully executed
| in all the States. Doing that deem to be
only simple duty on my part, and ! Shall
perform 1t so far as practicable, unless my
rightlul masters, the American people, shall
withhold the requisite means, or in some au-
/ thoritatiye manner direct the contrary.
trust this will not be regarded as a menace
/ but only as the declared purpose OF the Union,
that | will constitutiOnally defend and main
/ tain it. In doing this there need be no blood
shed or violence, and there shall be none I'M
less it be forced upon the National authority.
/ The power coulded 10 me will be used to held,
occupy, and possess the property and places
belonging TO the government. and to collect
the duties on imports, but beyond what may
be necessary for these objects there will he no
invasion, no using Of force against or among
the people anywhere. Where hostility to the
CHltt DAdACS III any lultllbl lDkAl'N AllAil bC
SO great and so universal as to prevent cOmpc-
tent resident citizens from holding Federal Of
fees there shall be no attempt to force obnOx-
ious strangers among the people for that OBJ.
ject, while the strict legal right may exist in
the government to enforce the exercise OF
these officers, the attempt to do SO would be
I 50 Irritating, and 50 nearly uniGasiblc with
ALL that | deem it better to forcgo for a time
the uses Of such officers.
The mails, unoss repealed, will continue TO
be furnished in all parts OF the Union 50 far as
possible. The people everywhere shall have
that sense Of perfect security which the most
favorable and calm thought and reflection on
the part Of the Government can give them.
The course here indicated will he followed.
unless current events and experience shall
show modification or change to be proper,
and in every case and eXgency my best dis
erection shall bo exercised according to cir
cUmstruceSactuIlly existing and with 4 view
and Il hope Of peaceful solution Of the nation
al troubles and the restoration of lratcrull
Sympathics and affections. That there are
persons in one section or another who seek to
destroy the Union at all events and are glad
OF any protest TO do it, viii neither affirm
nor deny but il there be such, | need address
no word TO them.
/ To .hOSe, however, who really love the |.
uion may not speak, before entering upon
so grave matter as the destruction of oul
national fabric with all its benefits its mem.
OrcS and its hopes Would it not be Wis
to ascertain previously, why we do 50 VII
you hazard 50 desperate a step while there l.
any possibility that any portion Of the Ills You
fly from, have no real existence? While the
ccrtain ills yuu fly TO are greater than all tho
real ones You fly from, VIII you risk the COM
mission Of so fearful mistake All profess
to be content 10 the Union, if all CJusttu.
tiOndl rights can be maintained. is il true
( then that any right plainly written In the Con,
Stitution has been denied | think not
. Happily the human mind is so constituted that
no party can reach TO the auddcity OF doing
this. Think If you can Of single instance
! in which a plainly written provision of the
| Constitution has ever been denied II, 10y the
mere force Of numbers, majority should de.
privU a minority Of any clearly written COnsti
! tutional right, it might in moral point o.
! view, Justify revolution. 1t certainly would
/ if such right were vital one. But such j.
not our case. All the vital rights of muori
! ties aud Of individuals are so plainly secure.
to them 10y atiirmations and ncgationS, guar
antccs and prohibitions in the Constitution
1 that controversies never arise concerning
them.
But no organic law can be framed with
provision specifically applicable TO every qnes
! tion which may occur in practical administra
ton. No foresight can anticipate, nor an,
document Of reasonable length contain expires
provisions for all possible questions. Shal
iugitiyes from labor be surrendered 10y Nation
al or State authority! The Constitution doe
not expressly say. May Congress prohibi
slavery in the Territories The Oonstitutio
does not expressly say. Must Congress pro
tect slavery in the Territories The Consti
tuition does not expressly say. From ques
tions of this class spring all our Constitutions
controversies, and we divide upon them int
maiorites and minoritics. II the minorit
will not acquiesce the majority must, or tn
government must cease. There is no othe
alternative forcontinuing the Government bu
acquiescencc on the one side or the other. |
a minority in such case will secede rather tha
acquiesce, they make a precedent which !
turn will divide and ruin them, for minorit
/ Of their own will secede from them wheneve
a majority refuses to be controlled by such
minority. For instance, why may not any poi
4 pon OF new Confederacy, a year or tw