The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-08-31

The Relation Of the war 70 the Consti.
tusbOn.
The trainers Of the Constitution provided for
the wants Of the Nation 10 var as well as in
peace. And they provided for civil as well as
for foreign wars. They knew the corrupt ten-
denotes of human nature, and that Americans
would have no immunity from ambition. pride,
rapacity, and other evil passions, that from time
immemo,ial have prayed upon the peace and
welfare of nations.
The Constitution with wonderful ssgacity
speaks of the very state of thirgs thet DOW ex
lists, and prescrbes the duty Of the present hour.
Our fathers did no. expect that things would al
ways 60 smoothly. They sent the Ship OF State
to sea prepared for rough weather. The Con
stitGtion speaks Of "treason," defines it, and
empowers Congress to declare its punishment
It speaks Of rebellion" Of 'invas.on." of do
mestic Violence" and Of suffering insurrec
tion.." all which terms might have gone for
dead letter had not Jefferson Davis given them
vitality and meaning Says the Constitution,
"Thc United States shall guarantee to every
State in this Union,a Republican form Of Govern.
nent" The nation has assumed this sacred
trust For treason, bribery, or other high
crimes and misdemeanors, an express clause Of
the Constitution makes every civil officer from
the President down liable to impeachment
Were thingse ven worse than they are. the Con
stitution furnishes remedy. The President ia
sworn TO preserve. protect and defend the Con-
stit, tion 10 the best of his ability And his In
augural informed the world that be cherished
profound sense Of TIE obligation of that oath.
The Constitution makes II his duty to care that
the laws be faithfully executed Aud by the
same paramount authority, every man in any
of6c". State Or Federal, is bound by oath or af.
hrmstion 70 support the Constitution.
There 10 no alternative therefore II the
President does not defend the Government to
the best Of his ability, he Is q traitor, and the
Constitution declares all who give aid and COM
fort 70 the enemy % be in the same category
Men ore nothing. when principles and institu-
lions are at stake.
Neutrality 10 out Of the question: The war ia
for the defence OF the Constitution The war
is according TO the Constitution. Not 10 carry
% the war with vigor and energy Is to give up
and nnllify the Constitution. and fulfil the vati
cinstion Of Judge Mason, that the Model Re.
public 10 dying BY its own hand" It is for the
rebels and their sympathisers 70 repudiate the
Constitution Ne the supreme la~ Of the land. and
70 tr.@ple IL under their feet II is the rebels
Who have concocted . new Constitution JEFF
Davis and Stephens are the usarpers They ask
shs nssi"n 70 s,ay the hand Of justice until they
.co@paets their preparations for resisting the au
shortly Of the vu,ted States They are IN arms
IN DEFIANCE OF express provisions of the Consti.
sutton. and for the purpose Of ov~r.hro~ing the
constisGiioa Il oaly remaius Cor the nation.
therefore. % bring them to sstms and couo,er
pease, and = obtain indemnity for The r...
ana security Tor he future.
In tmes like shsss shs Consultation Il tor
var. until lie authority = fbe supreme lav Of
Asd V again recognized over esery foot Of the
national territory. The question beg long ,he
sss shsli iess. Il question wholly for d. r..
essa Ask y u eiehnond. Let It be .n.~s,.a
here, - q Ch.si-stoa, and !, NJ. 49,
- ~ call Of ths chairman Of IN. 49,.