The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-11

from tue people OF the tree States which they
have no right to make, and which, while they
would involve, " male, surrender of every
thing affirmed or gainel in the recent election,
would, nevertheless, bring no peace 10 tho
country, for the reason that the willingness Of
the people to make them, would only prove
their measureless capacity for abaseuient ani
seryility, and thus invite fresh demands ail
eyer-recurring aggrcssions.
The history Of the past shows that no con-
cessions will be accepted ~ satisfactory which
do not secure to the slave States the rights ~
expansion and protection TO their peculiar
property under the Federal Constitution. This
is what they believe they need. aud this alone
will satisfy them. believe that speak tie
voice OF every true, brave, and conservative
man In the North, when l say that such COLI
cessions cannot be made.
But, II not, We are told that the slave States,
or portion Of them, will withdraw from the
Union. No, they will not. They cannot 60,
and in the end they will not want to 20.
Much as they desire to have their views se-
cepted BY the country, far as they would go to
secure the protection Of slavery by the general
government, and its unchecked expansion,
they will not pass the brink Of the precipice to
secure these ends. Deeply as they regret tho
accession Of the party OF Mr. Lincoln and MIR.
llamlin to power in the general government,
an actual aud permanent secession of any or all
for they are not regardless Of the s,rifes, the
difficulties, the inevitable disasters. and the
long line Of woes that would beset their path
and hang abound their way nj every step
They will know that their strength. their Sc
curty, and their happiness are In the Union,
and in the Union with US. and their truer and
better friends than those who by their wilful
misrepresentation Of the views and purposes
Of their neighbors by their unnatural and
malignant reSilings of the great majority OF the
people among whom they live, AMI with their
treacherous friendship for the Shareholders,
have been In no small degree responsible for
the want Of confidence AMI fraternity, the dis.
trust and apprehension, the passion and fever,
which are the immediate spring OF all our pres
ent troubles. They will learn, as they should
know already, that the free States have no In
tention Of interIneldling with their system In
the States where IL exists by virtue NJ the local
law, and that they will cheerfully extend To
them all their constitutional AMI equal rights.
When the excitement Of the hour shall have
passed, and reason has resumed her sway, when
the realities Of dsunion, the burdens, the diff
culties AMI dangers, shall be seen as they are,
and the old-time respect and friendship shall
re-appear, for they cannot always be repressed,
and when the people Of the slave States shall
come To accept, as they will, the conclusions Of
that inyincible logic which pronounces the
~
litcal-to all its members. and which has also
determined the position Of the Free States upon
the question, no longer 10 be disturbing one,
Of slavery, concord, mutual respect and con-
fdence, will be rc.es,ablished on a basis which
no faction, In any quarter, shall be able TO dis
turb. Ia the meantime. Cancellation, forbcar-
ance, and tokens of goodwill. which no crimi.
nations shall be allowed to interrupt, and tho
setting OF ourselves right in whatsoever res
fasf mn tnax haNa ha.n Mr. uill La sh..
offerings which rs good men and patriots wc
should lay at the altar Of our country. And In
doing this we need consent to the abatement Of
not one jot or title of the principles affirmed by
the people at the recent election. We will
stand by the Constitution Of our fathers, tho
Constitution as II Is, and make no :ompro-
misses that would involve us In the guilt Of NOR
al treason, and justly render US the scorn Of
mankind.
The personal liberty bills as they are callei,o.
some OF the free States, have been the occasion
Of much elimination, not only on the part OF
our Southern neighbors. but also from consid-
cradle numbers Of our own people. The rea-
sons which induced their passage, and the pro-
visions which they embody have been, I think
sngularly misunderstood by many who have
complained Of them. As q general thing, be-
lieye they were enacted in perfect good faith,
TO accomplish two legitimate purposes first,
TO prevent the Kidnapping. or illegal removal
Of free persons from the States; and ,sccondlyto
bring their action into entire harmony with
the line Of constitutional power and obligation
as laid down by the Supreme Court VI the
United States, In the case OF Prigg vs.. the
State Of Pensy lyania. SO far as this has been
the case, and where the legislation Of the States
has not intact cttranscended these limits, ,thersjcan
be no just cause ofexccption TO what has been
done. But II, passing this boundary, laws
have been enacted which are in violation Of the
Constitution Of the United States. or Of any
constitutional law Of Congress. although they
may be mere waste paper and void, and would
be 50 declared by our Courts, they ought not
TO remain on our statute books. Unconstitu-
tonal laws are not merely harmless. Impo-
tent for good, they are not powerless for evil,
and are always OF mischieyous example. With
these views | would earnestly recommend q
candid examination Of the laws OF this State.
And II, thereupon, you shall find among them
any provisions that are In violation Of the Fed.
cral Constitution, or Of any constitutional law
Of Congress, there can be no doubt that they
ought to be repealed, or W modified that they
may be brought within the limits Of State Au-
thority. To elect such repeal or notifications
is duty which you owe, not To any menaccs
from without or clamors frUm within, but TO
the State and to yourselves, who can never
afford 10 be in the wrong. But II. upon such
review, you shall find no laws which are not
strictly constitutional and proper In themselves
none that are justly offensive 10 the people
of other States-that have not been revised by
men learned In the law, and sanctioned by
legislatures Of different political parties, and
none, In fine, 10 which any constitutional OBJ
lection could be pointed out upon examination
by those who have complained most vehement
ly against the personal liberty laws Of other
Statcs-I would submit whether with due re-
gard to the rights OF the State and of the people,
and Of the essential conditions Of popular
government, you can find justihcation tor en-
tering upon the work Of their repeal. You
might be willing, upon proper representation,
TO abroglte laws entirely constitutional and
just, when made by others, however necilessiy,
causes VI stumbling and offence. But when
such action Is demanded as the condition upon
which you are to be permitted 10 enjoy your
constitutional rights, your civil and political
freedom, you are forbidden 10 yield 20 the re-
QUESTION by every consideration that can have
weight among men claiming TO be free The
concessions, for the most part, which are now
demanded lfrom the Free States. as the terms
upon which the people Of this country are TO
be allowed 10 govern themselves under the con-
stitution, are wholly inadmissble. not merely
IN themselves, but also because they have been
male such terms. To grant them would he to
establish precedent of incalculablc mischief
aud danger, through which would be wrought,
at no distant period. practical sub,ersion OF
the Constitution, and transfer Of the govern
ment from the hands Of the many to the power
VI the few.
1.-THE people Of any Of the States have deter
mined that Mr. Lincoln. who has been regular.
ly and legally elected president- OF the United
States, Is not 10 enter upon the duties Of that
Office, unless he and those who have supported
him. win purchase his Inauguration A. Prrsi-
dent ofan unbroken Union. by concessions and
involving an abnsgatou and de-
nlal of the vital principles OF the government.
aud of the cherished doctrines and purposes of
the great men who established II, and shall at
tempt by force to execute such purpose. they
viii be guilty ofhigh treason against the Unit
td States. and will furnish occasion for testing
the strength Of this government. The right
of the majority 10 choose their officers and io :
administer the government, under the consfi-
tuition, must not be surreuderV<l and will not