Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-01-19

''J) ~ '"i "" Wis iiiSho NC pIdCticdDle
under existing laws. This is still my
purpose. My province is to execute, and
not to make, the laws. 1t belongs to Con.
gress, exclusively, to repeal, to modify, or
to enlarge their provisions, to meet ex-
gencies as they may occur. 1 possess no
dispensing power.
l certainly had no right to make aggres-
sive war upon any State; and am per-
fcctly satisfied that the Constitution has
wisely withheld that power even from Con-
gress. But the right and the duty to use
military force defensively against those
who resist the Federal officers in the exc
cution of their legal functions, and against
those who assail the property of the Fed
cral Government, is clear and undenia.
bic.
But the dangerous and hostile attitude
of the States towards each other has al.
ready far transccnded and cast in the
shade the ordinary executive duties al
ready provided for by law, and has as
sumed such vast and alarming proportions
as to place the subject entirely above and
beyond executive control. The fact can
not be disguised that we are in the midst
of great revolution. In all its various
bearings, therefore, 1 commend the ques-
ton to Congress, as the only human tri-
bunal, under Providence, possessing the
power to meet the existing emergency.
To thcm exclusively belongs the power to
declare war, or to authorize the employ
ment Of military force in all cases contcm-
plated by the Constitution; and they alone
possess the power to remove grievances
which might lead to war, and to secure
peace and union to this distracted country.
On them, and on them alone, rests the
responsibility
The Union is sacred trust, left by our
revolutionary fathers to their descend
ants ; and never did any other people
inherit so rich legacy. 1t has rendered
us prosperous in peace and triumphant in
war. The national flag has hoated in
glory over every sea. Under its shadow
American citizens have found protection
and respect in all lands beneath the sun.
If we descend to considerations of purely
material interest, when, in the history of
all time, has a confederaey been bound
together by such strong ties of mutual
interest? Each portion of it is dependent
on all, and all upon each portion, for
prosperity and domestic security. Free
trade throughout the whole supplies the
wants of one portion from the productions
of another, and scatters wealth every
where. The great planting and farming
States require the aid of the commercial
and navigating States, to send their pro-
ductions to domestic and foreign markets,
and to furnish the naval power to render
their transportation secure against all hos.
tile attacks.
Should the Union perish in the midst O
the present excitement, we have alread J
had sad ioretaste of the universal suf
fering which would result from its de
struction. The calamity would be severe
ih every portion of the Union, and woule
be quite as great, to say the least, in the
southern rs in the northern States. The
greatest aggravation of the evil, and tina
which would place us in the most unfavor
able light both before the world an'
posterity, is, as l am firmly convinced
that the secession movement has beef
chiefly based upon misapprohension
the South of the sentiments of the MAORI
ty in several of the northern States. Lie
the question be transferred from po!itica
assemblies to the ballot-box, and tn
people themselves would speedily redrcs
the serious grievances which the Soutl
have suffered. But, in Heavens name
let the trial be made before we plung
y into armed conflict upon the mere assumI
ton that there is no other alternative
Time is great conservative power. Lc
:, us pause at this momentous point, an
= afford the people, 10th North and Souti
an opportunity for reflection. Would th'
y South Carolinl had been convinced OF tn
@ truth before her precipitate action
v therefore appeal through you to the pee
V pie of the country to declare in their migl
q that the Union must and shall be presel
;. we'd by all constitutional means. mo
Is earnestly recommend that you devo
80 yourselves, exclusively, to the qucstiO
if how this can be accomplished in peac
ID All other questions, when compared
Z. this, sink into insignifcance, The presc
mt is no time for palliations. Action, prom
II, action, is required A delay in Congre
No to prescribe or to recommend distr
lis and practical proposition for concillatio