The Grand Haven news., 1862-03-12

neart-strlngs OF tne Union, renulng asun-
der the stripes, and wrenching off Star af-
ter star from our national banner.
In its base ingratitude-its unmitigated
depravity-its immeasurable wickedness
its unbrijled insolence-its greedy,
blood-lapping ferocity, this American re-
bellion has no historic parallel, but has its
archetype, and, God grant its antepast in
the crime and retribution of the rebel
angels as they were in Millions version,
finally routed and hurled from the battle
ments of Heaven.
In this civil war thus ruthlessly thrust
upon us, all the attributes Of our higher
nature-all the holy instincts Of patriot
ism-all our precious memories of the
past, and our glorious hopes for the future
cluster around the President.
No matter upon what political platform
he stood whilst soliciting the sufrages Of
the people. No matter by whom he was
elected, or by what majority. 1t is
enough for us to know that he is lawfully
in the Presidential chair, under the pro-
visions of the Constitution and the forms
of law; and that, being there, he invokes
our aid to sustain the government, to up
hold the constitution, to defend the I'm
ion, and TO maintain the supremacy Of the
laws. This must be done, at any cost,
and all needed sacrifice of blood and
treasure. The issue thrust upon us by this
foul rebellion must be pushed to the Bit
ter end. All our material and moral ener-
gies must be gathered up and hurled with
crushing force upon this pestilent domes-
tic foe. When rebels lay down their
arms, and furnish evidence of uncondition-
al submission TO law and rightful author
ity, the war should cease, and compromise
and concilliation accompany the olive
branch Of peace.
For, we are TO remember that thou
sands of loyal citizens occupy to-day the
soil that has been cursed with this mania
of secession-this hideous leprosy of trea-
son; whilst thousands more of their
neighbors, misled, bewildered, and cheat
ed into treason, would gladly now crave
amnesty and forgiveness for the past, and
a re-baptism with the spirit and power Of
regenerated loyalty.
And, again, we are especially to remem-
ber that we are dealing with States hav-
ing equal rights of sovereignty and indie
pendence with the firmest in loyalty Of
our number; States that, since their first
admission, have never been one moment
outside the circle of the Union-absolved
from the binding force of the constitu-
ton, or elected from "the Eagle Fam
iy."
The articles of confederation imported
a perpetual league. The constitution was
expressly framed "to form more perfect
Union" and, by the force of the terms
employed, it became, in logic and in fact
endowed with the attribute of perpetuity
There are but two contingencies upon the
occurrence of which State may be sci
at liberty from the chain of the Union
The one is an amicable dissolution of that
Union by a fair majority vote of the
American people; and the other, a vio-
lent disruption by successful revolution
based upon actual governmental griev-
ances.
Aside from the occurrence of one oi
these events, State can no more secede
from the Union by its own volition than
planet, chained TO our solar system by
the eternal laws of matter, can swing out
from its orbit and career away through
space, or select an independent centre o.
motion.
If, then, State is thus firmly welded
to the constitution and the Union, the
rights of her loyal citizens are rs firmly
engrafted thereon, and embedded therein
When the Roman Republic had culminat
ed its greatness, the simple cry, Z" am {
Roman citizen" had power, in her dis
tant provinces, to unlock the prison doors
ungird the manacled limbs, and restore
the vested rights of her humblest free
man. So with US to-day. You may
punish the individual, or forfeit his prop
erty rights, for crimes committed and ju
dicially proved. But you cannot right
fully invade the life, liberty or property
of the loyal citizen of even South Caro-
lima. You cannot degrade him from the
proud level of citizenship. You may mo-
with impunity attempt to rob him Of thu
jewels of State sovereignty, equality ant
independence, or filch away his right e
the protective benefits of a State organi
zaLion, constitution, and local laws. AnC
if Congress inclines to hazard the expert
ment of doleing out to a loyal citizen tn,
pittance of franchices awarded to n pro
vincial subject, and of dwarfng down hi
manhood to the stature Of a serf the,
find the cry: 81 am an American citi
zen," clothed with even more than Roman
power. No! This is neither n war fo
the thraldom sovereign States to menia
provinces.
When the shadow Of this terrible re
bellion shall lift before the advancing col
umn Of our Union army, loyal citizen
will resume the reins of governmen
again. Constitutions, local laws and do
mestic institutions, not lapsed, but simpl
| eueoaudad nill ha raetorod m, &c ,,1.o