The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1861-03-13

position, that, in legal complication the Union is
perpetual, confirmed by the history of the Union
itself The Union is much older than the Con-
stituton 1t was formed, in fact, blythe articles
of association in 1874. 1t was matured and
continued by the Declaration of Independence
in 1875. 1t was further niaiured, aud the faith
Of all the then thirteen States was expressly
plighted and engaged that it should be per.
petual.
By the Articles of Confederation in 177s, and
finally in 1884, one of the declared objects for
ordaining and establishing the Constitution, was
to form a more perfect union. But if the de-
struction of the Union by one, or by part only
of the States, be lawfully possible the Union is
less perfect than before the Constitution, having
lost the vital element of perpetuity
1t follows, from these views, that no State,
upon its own mere motion, can lswflllygo out
of the Union-that resolves and ordinances TO
that effect are legally void, and that acts of vio-
lence in any State, or States, against the author
ity Of the United States, are insuTectionary or
revolutionary, according TO circumstances. j,
therefore consider that, in view of the Consti-
tution and the laws, the Union is unbroken I;
and to the extent of my ability shall take
care, as the Constitution itself expressly cnoins
upon me to do, that the laws Of the Union shall
be faithfully executed in all the States. Doing
this, deem it to be only simple duty on my
part, and shall perform it so far as practicable,
unless my rghtful masters, the American people,
shall withhold the requisite means, or, in some
authoritative manner, 1irect the contrary. |
trust that this will not he regarded as a menace,
but oaly as the declared purpose Of the Tn
ion, that twill constitutionally defend and main.
tain itself
In doing this, there needs TO he no bloolshel
or violence, and there shall be nonc unless fore
cd upon the national authority.
The power coufl2d to me viii he used to hold,
occupy and possess the property and places be-
longing to the Government and to collect the
duties and imports; bat beyond what may be
necessary for these objects, there will be no in
vason no using Of force against or among The
people anywhcrc Where hostility to the Uni
ted States in any interior locality shall be so
great and so universal as TO prevent competent
there will he 30 ottcmrt to force obnoXious stran-
gers among the people for that object While
the strict legal right may exist in the Govern
meat TO enforce the exercises Of these offices,
the attempt to do 50 would be so nearly imprac-
ticallc, without that deem II better to foreso,
for the time, the uses Of such Offices
The nails ucless rcpcllol, win continue to be
furnished in all parts Of the Union. So Ear az
possible, thr rcopc everywhere Shall have that
sense cr perfect sccuriiv which is most favorable
to calm thought an! reelection. The course here
indicated will be floaei, ua,css current events
and dcyporicnce shall ,howa modiiicaionorch change
to BE- proper and in every case and cygcncy my
best discretion viii be cxcrci ed according to cir
cums,ances actually eyistng and with view
to, and hope Of peaceful solution of the ma
tional troubles, and the restoration Of fraternai
syinpahes and affections. That there are per-
sons in one section or another who seek to de-
sttov thc En,on at all events, and are glad Of
any prctcxt TO do Il, ] will neither affirm nor
DENY. but if there be such, need address ~
words 20 thcm. To those, however, who really
love the Union, NAV not speak?
Before entering upon 50 grave matter as The
destruction Of oar national fabric, with all It's
memories and It's hopes, would it not he wise IA
ascertain precisely why We do it? VIII you
hazard so desperate a step, while there is any
possibility that any portion of the ills You fly
from have no real existence? VIII you. while
the certain ills You fly to, are greater than sl
the ills you Ay from? VIII you risk the com
mission Of so fearful a mistake? I'll profess tC
he content in tue Union, If all constitutional
rights can be obtained Is it true, then, that
any right plainly written in The Constitu
ton, has been denied: ! thipk not Happily
the human mind is 50 constituted that no party
can reach to The au'acity Of doing this. Think
if YOU can, of single instance in which plain
ly written provision of the Constitution has ovei
been denied
IT, by the mere force Of numbers, a majority
should deprive minority Of any clearly writer
constitutional right, it might in moral point 0
view, Justify revolution. | certainly would
such right were a vital one. But such is no
our case. Al the vital rights Of minori;ies sn'
of individuals are so plainly assured TO them b!
affirmations and negotiations, guarantees audp
/ hibiiionS in the Constitution, that controversies
never arise concerning them. But no organi
law can ever be framed with provision spvciii
( cslly applicable to every question which ma!
occur in practical administration. No f5reSieh
can anticipate. nor any document Of REASONABLE
length contain, express provisions for all icas
bic questions
Shall flgiiive$ from labor be SURRENDERED b.
national or by State authority? The Constitu
ton docs not expressly say. Must Congrcs
protect slavery in the Territories? The COnst
tuition does not exl ressiy say.
From questions of this class sprung all on
constitutional controversies, and We divide upo
them into majorities. If the minority win nC
acquiesce; the majority must, or the Goycrnmcr
must cease. There is no other alternative fC
continuing the Government but acquiescence O
one side or the other II minority IL sue
case Will seeee, rather than acquiesce, they mab
precedent which, in turn, viii divide and rui
them; for minority Of their own viii sccet
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