The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-03-08

proper, but an association Of States in the
nature of contract merely, can it as con
tract be peaeeablv unmade by less than all
the parties who made III One party to q
contract may violate it-break it, SO to
speak but does it not require all to law
fully reseindf Descending from these
general principles. We find the proposition
that in legal contemplation the Union is
perpetual.
Confirmed by the history of the Union
itself, The Union is much older than the
/ Constitution. 1t was formed in fact, by
the articles of association in TIA
1t was matured and continued in the
Declaration of independence Of 1776 1t
WAS further natured, and the faith of all
| the old thirteen States expressly plighted
and engaged that it should be perpetual,
| by the articles of confederation in 1878,
and finally in 1887. One of the declared
objects for ordaining and establishing the
| constitution. was to form a more perfect
Uniep. By one or by part only of the
States withdrawing, if it be lawfully pos
.ible, 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 notion, can law.
fully go ont of the Union, that resolves
and ordinances TO that effect are legally
void, and that An act of violence within
any States or State against the authority
of the United States are discretionary,
or revolutionary, according to clrcum-
stances.
| | til erefore consider that in view of the
| Constitution and laws, tie Uuion is un-
broken, and to the extent of my ability l
shall take care, rs the Constitution ex>
pressly enjoins on me, that the laws of the
Union be faithfully executed in all the
States. a.f
Doing this deem it to be only a simple
duty on my part, and | shall perform it
so far as practicable, unless my righ,ful
masters, the American people, shall with
hold the means, or in some authoritative
manner direct the contrary.
| | trust this will not be regarded as a
menace, but as only the declared purpose
| of the Union that it will constitutionallv
defend itself; IN doing this, there need be
no bloodshed or violence, and there shall
be none unless it be forced upon the Ma
,ional authority.
The power coEf ded to me will be used
to hold, occupy and possess the property
and places belonging to the Government,
to collect duties and imports. But beyond
what may be necessary for these objects,
there will be no invasion, no using of
force against, or annoying people any
where. Where hostility to the United
States in any locality shall be SO great
and SO universal as to prevent competent
residents from holding Federal Office, there
will be no attempt to force obnoxious
strangers among the people.
That lject, while the strict legal right
may exist in the Government, to enforce
the exercise of these offices, the attempt to
do so would be so irritating and socially
inpractcable wi,bal that deem it better
to forego it for time. The uses of such
Offices as the mails, unless repealed, will
continue to be furnished in all points Of
! the Union, as far as possible.
| Tie people everywhere shall have that
sense of perfect security which is most
favorable, calm thoughts and reflection
The course herein indicated will be follow )
ed unless current events and experience
shall show a modification or change to be
proper; and in every exigency my bes;
discretion will be exercised according to
circumstances exactly existing, and with
view and hope of peaceful solution
of the National troubles, and restoration
of the fraternal feeling. That there are
persons in one section or another who
seek to destroy the Union at all events and
are glad of any pre,ext to do it, will
neither affirm or deny. There be such
need address no word to those, however,
who really love the Union may not speak
before entering upon so grave a matter as
a destruction of our national fabric, with
all its benefits, it's memories and hopes |!
Would it rot be wise to ascertain previous
~ why we do it,
Will you hazard so desperate a step
while there is any possibility that any
portion of the ills you fly from have no
real existence! Will you, while the GER
tain ills you flee too. are greater than all
the real ones you fly from?
Will you risk the commission of so
fearful n mistake! All profess to be con-
tent in the Union, if all constitutional
rights are maintained. =
Is it true, then, that any right plainly
written in the Constitution has been den
led think not. Happily the human
mind is so constituted that no party can
reach to the audacity of doing this Think
if you can, OF single instance in which
plainly written provision of the Consti-
tuition has ever been denied.
If by the mere force of numbers ma
jority shall deprive a minority of any
clearly written constitutional right, it
might, in moral point of view, justify
revolution it certainly would ifsuch right
vas vital one-but such is not our case
The vital rights Of minorties and of indi-
viduals are SO plainly assured to them by
sffirmations and legal guarantees and pro
hibition of the constitution, that controv>
ersy never arises concerning them.
But no organic law can ever be framed
with provision specially applicable to
every question which may occur in prac.
.abIa COMMUNICATION NJ foroe; rbt CON