Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-03-08

and intsrcourss; either ami cable or hostile
relations. must continue between them. Is
II possible then to make that intercourse
moro advantageous or moro satisfactory at
ter separation than before. Can aliens
mako treaties easier than iriends can make
hwsi Can treaties be more faithfully en-
forced between aliens than Laws can among
friends, Suppose yoa go TO war. you can;
not fight always. and whsL alter much loss
on both sides. and no gain on either, you
cease frht.ns, tho identical questions NJ to
terms OF intercourse are again upon you.
This country, with its institutions. DO
longs 10 tho people who inhablt 1t. when
ever they shall grow weary OF the existing
government they can exercise their consti'
tutional right al amending. or their revolu'
tionary right TO dismember or overthrow
10.
7 cannot b ignorant Of Che fact that
many worthy and patriotic ei,irens are de-
sirous Of having the national Constitution
amended. While make no recommends
lion Of amendment, I fully recosnim the
authority Of the people over tho whole cub
j-ct, % DO exercised In either OF the modes
pre- cribed in the instrument itself. and
shouid, under existing circumstances. favor
rather than oppose. far opportunity be-
ing offered the people TO act upon u.
I will venture 20 add that 10 me the con.
,snton mode sems preferable, In that u
allows amendmenp 10 originate with the
people themselves. instead Of only permit.
Ting them ~ take q proposition originated
by Others not especially chosen for tho pur'
pose. and which might not b. precisely such
q. they would wish TO either accept or re-
fu.s.
I undcr-tand q proposed amendment "a
the con.iitu iion--whieh amendment ] have
not secn-has passed Congress. TO the eGec,
that the federal government shall never In.
.srirre with the domestic institution OF the
States. including that OF persons held "a
service. To avoid miscoostructiou OF what
have SAID. depart from my parposc not
90 speak OF particular amendments 81 iar
n Ia say that, holding such q provision "a
now h. implied constitutional law, ! have
no Objection to It's being made express and
irrcyocahle.
The Chief Magistrate derives all his au'
thoriiy from the people. and they have con-
SEPARATION % the States. Tho people them
selves can DO this alone, IL they choose. hui
the executive. as such. has nothing TO dc
with 10. III. duty !. 10 administer th,
present government ne IL came % his hand'
and % transmit Il unimpsircd " him Il
his successors. Why should there not be- q
tatien, confidence in tho ultimate justice oI
the people, Il there any better. or cqua
hop. in world. In our present difference.
Il either party without faith Of being in ,h'
right II the Almighty Ruler Of nation,
will, with hi- eternal truth and justice. bc
on side OF the North. or yours. South. tina
truth and that justice will surely prevail h,
the judgement Of this great tribunal, th'
American people. Bv the frame Of th'
government under which we live. the sam,
oople have wisely given thsir public .cr
wants but little power Tor mischief. and tav
with equal wisdom provided for the return
OF that little 10 their own hands. at yer,
short intervals. While tho people rctAir
virtue AMI vigilance, no Administration o
any extreme of wiekedbcss or folly can yer,
seriously injurs the Government in the shor
space OF four years.
Ny coun,rymen. one and all think calm
" aud we'll upon this whole subject. Moth
ing valuable can - Lost by taking time
IL there b. an obgct TO hurry any OF you IL
hot haste 10 a step which you would nc,ci
take deliberately. ths, Object will be irus
tra,ei Nv taking time. but no good ohrc
can b. frustrated by 70. Such OF you a
are now dissatisfied. -till have the old Con
.ttution unimpaIred and on the .-nsiiiv
point, the laws Of your own framing undo
i, while the new Administration have n,
Immediate power, II /, would. to chang
either.
II q, were admitted tina, you who arc dis
satisfied hold the right eide IN the dispute
there -,ill i, no single good reason for pre-
cipi,ats action. Allegiancs. patriotism
. Christianity. and u firm reliance on Hin
who has never yet foraker this ia,orc'
land, aru still competent 20 adju., in Oh,
bee, way all our presen, difficulties.
In your hand, my dissatisfied fellow
countrymcn-not in mine. 10 the momen
tou. issue Of civil war. Tho governmeu
will no, a-sail you. You eau have no con
fict without being yourselves the accessors
You have no oath registered IN heaven 20
destroy the government while I shall hay
the mos, solemn ono to preserve, prolse
and defend IL.
am 10th TO clo.s. We are not enemie
but friends. We mus, not te enemies
though passion may have strained IL. !
mus, not break our bonds Of affection
The mystic call Of memory stretching irou
every hattie field and pa'rio, grave. TO ev
cry living hear, and hsar,h..,one oil owe
ih,. broad land. will We, swell the chords o
the Union when again touched, as -urcl.
they will be by the better angels OF our ma
turc.