Daily national Democrat., 1861-03-20
What il Means.

and purpose to see That 1t Is hlthlully exc
cuted it declares that the American Union
was designed to be perpetual, and that the
secession ordinances are null and void. And
That it Is the intention of the Administra-
ton to see that the laws are faithfully eXecu-
ted in all the States, unless the people who
are the masters, order otherwise. This de-
claration has been denominated the war feat
ure of the Inaugural, but observe how it is
q aliled in the following language:
ain doing this, there need be no bloodshed or
violence. and there shall be none, unless it be
forced upon the national authority. The
mower confded to me will be used to hold,
occupy and possess the property and places
belonging to the Government, and collect
duties on imports; but beyond what may be
necessary for these Objects there will be 10
using of force against or among the people
anywhere. Where hostility to the United
States in any interior locality shall be 50
great and so universal as TO prevent compe-
tent resident citizens from holding Federal
Offices, there will be no attempt to force ob
noxious strangers among the people that ob
iect While the strict legal right may exist in
the Government to enforce the exercise of
tuose Offices the attempt to do so would be
irritating and so nearly impracticable withal
that deem it better to fo:go for the time the
use of such officers"
l.. 4. i,,t tl,ot
brcathcs the utmest moderation and forbear-
ance. 1t does not signify a rc-capture even
of the Government forts now in the hands Of
the revolutionists The language is hold,
occupy and possess" the property belonging
to the Government. If forts already in the
possession of the United States be manned by
the Government, aud are attacked 10y the
seeding States. then the States agsressing
will be responsible for n conflict. The Gov
ernment will collect its revenues on the water,
and there can be no collision there. because
the Southern Provisional Government has 10
navy. Officers will not be forccd upon the
seeding States, but they will be left, so far
as such officers are concerned, without Fede
raj supervision or control. Thus another ir-
ritating cause will be removed from the elc-
mcnts Of discord and anger. 1t is therefore
quite clear that there can be no war, unless
the rebellous States take the initiative with
Mr. Lincoln as they did with Mr.. Buchanan
and attack some fort now in the possession Of
the Government.
Mr. Lincoln disputes the binding authority
of a mere opinion of the supreme Court in
contradistinction to Il dccjSion, but this part
of his Inaugural simply signifies that he does
not consider the question of Territorial or
Congressional sovereignty settled ty any ac-
tion heretofore taken by that Court. This
sentiment indicates belief in the right OF
Congress to lcgislate on the subject Of slavery
in the Territories and to forbid the institution
within their borders But, it is mere SEN
tment at last and cannot be cited as a grcv-
Territory aud Lincoln approves it. If the
seeding Congressman and Senators had re-
mained III their seats, no such proceeding
would now be reckoncd among the posi-
bilities Of the future. But, the ground last
named is qualified by the expressed willing
ness Of Mr.. Lincoln that the Constitution
should be amended SO as TO interpret itself
with regard to this mooted question of the
power of Congress over slavery Says he, eve
cannot be ignorant Of the fact, that many
worthy, patriotic citizens are desirous of hav
ing the National Constitution amended
While | make no recommendation Of amend
ments, fully recognize the rightful authority
of the people over the whole subject, to be
exercised in either of the modes prescribed
in the instrument itself, and should under
existing circumstances favor rather than op-
pose fair opportunity being offered the
people to act upon it,"
The Constitutional modes are these. We
quote from the Constitution: The Congress
| whenever twr-thrds of both houses shall
deem it necessary, shall propose amendments
to this Constitution, or, on the application O
the Legislatures o iw wo-thirds of the several
States, shall call Convention for proposing
amendments, which in either case, shall be
valid to all intents and purposes, as part OF
this Constitution, when ratified by the Leg
islaturcs of three-lourths of the several
States, or by Conventions in three fourths
thereof, as the one or the other mode of rati-
fcation may be proposed 10y the Congress
Mr.. Lincoln very truthiully declares that
no power dwells with him 10 fix forms for
the separation Of the States. The Chief Mag
strate derives all his authority from the peo'
pie. Tile people can fr forms for seParatio"
if they like And this is a most important
portion of the manifesto of the President
lie himselfis poweress, he says to do auSht
but execute the authority in him vested. lie
can invent no new ways of administering
the Government; but the people can, and, if,
in any constitutional manner, or 10y the SOW
ereign act of the people of all the states, an
adjustment of existing difficulties can be ei-
fected, he, as Chief Magistrate of the Union
will be bound to govern his conduct accord
ingly Such in our opinion is the meaning
of Mr. Lincolns declaration that "the Chic
Magistrate derives all his authority from the
people, and they have conferred none upon
him to .fr forms for tile separation of h'
StatcS The people themselves can do thi:
only, if they choose but the Executive, a
such, has nothing TO do with it, His duty i
| L I IL n