The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-04-16
Stand by tie Constitution.

! tiOHy we SDOulu duH1oHtsH All WHO nave
found homes in this free land, 10 stand Ia
fie Constitution for il the organic law is
tramped upon and fails 10 vindicaie itself
through the necessary powers conferred by
it, then is government al an end, and the
fate of republics, as recorded by the hislo-
Iians the past, will be that of ouIs. TIE
| Constitution is the foundation, broad and
deep, upon which our structure of govern
ment rests. Every portion of that founda-
! ton was laid in profound wisdom by the
hands of the apostles of civil and religious
| liberty. II was the great achievement OF
! The world in the development of the rights
of man and securing each and all agains:
an iniraction of those rights. Itwas made
the source of power that from il should flow
the genial streams of fraternity, equality
and protection in alIiEose things requisite
to the happiness OF the governed, or TO en-
able US as people TO pursue the pathway
which should lead TO prosperity and great
ness. This form Of government TINS en-
grated upon the affections OF the populace,
shown resplendani beyond all others, and
the world behelG with amazemenl, the peo
/ pie governed by it, emerging from infancy
10 mature national manhood in less than
three quarters Of century, and standing
without rival in progress, ar:s, intelligence
and well earned fame among the mighty
empires OF The earth. We, as nation, Sc
cured this honorable distinction among
governments by strict adherence to the prin.
cipIes of the Constitution. In il we recog.
nzed the magma charta OF our liberties and
the sheet anchor of our safety, and at all
times wisdom has counseIled 10 observe
scruPuIously lis requirements, and preserve
faithfully in all legislation under it, the LETT
Ter and spirit of ;hat sacred instrument, feel
ing assured that If one infracton was per-
mii,ed il would be followed By others more
alarming .crowding thick and fast upon each
other. until very soon it's sage ike provis-
ions would be inefficient in all he purposes
for which they were designed, and our ma
tionai structure upouiIl thereon, would tot
ter TO lis base, and the hopes of millions be
swallowed up in despair Who can con-
template the possibility OF national ruin
without horror, and yet people we are
TO day standing upon the brink of the awful
gulf ruin which fanalicism and rebellion
are hurrying this nation and threatening 10
engult il therein, end the only barrier We
can interpose between us and destruction,
and as stied between our government
and is desoa,ors. is the Constitution, and
with voices of earnest patriotism, cry unto
all stand ty the Constitution.
But 10 be less figuralive and more prac.
tical, we would further remark, If, as we
have assumed, the Constitution is The foun-
caiion of free government; ii that beautiful
structure towering heaven-ward, around
whose base the affections of grateful hearts
cluster, and upon whose summit the fires
OF Immortality forever play, rests opon the
Constitution, and that alone, how careful
we should be not in any degree TO impair
that which holds up the edice; for if lhe
foundation be weakened by removing a
portion OF the same, and then another por-
lion until the cement that held the paris
together, is broken and destroyed, the
edifice must fall. However magnificent
the castle, take from it The corner stone
upon which il reposes in beauty and it falls
shapeless mass OF ruins, frequently crush
ing those who were the architects in its
erection. If The view we have given be
correct, of which there is no question how
long, we ask, can onr government exis.
without The Constitution which underlies 1t
as the great and strong foundation stone p
Ii is that alone which gave it form, beauty,
and power. Without these it would be a
blank so far as Organization was concerned
If the constant assaults made upon the
Constitution shall destroy it, then is all of
which we boast taken away, and the reIent-
less tide of despnlism will sweep over this
land, once the habialion Of lreemen, de.
voting themselves TO The arts of peace and
self government.
But if no rude assault shall do violence
10 that instrument, aud the attempts now
being made are persisted in, of impafing
the confidence OF the people in lis power
and wisdom, denouncine il as an ''eld fiddle
upon :chieb you can play any tune you please, "
how long can il survive! These efforts are
TO the Constitution, as The dropping water
upon marble, i continued the drops wear
the stone away. So the constant expressions
OF opinions against the organic law, The
system OF fault finding, The torturing of its
provisions, the warfare contained against /.
may, nay, must result in begeung such an
aversion TO it, that the people will cease to
look 10 il for safety, then il passes into dis.
respec, and becomes the foot sail of every
political mouniebank, like the marble il is
worn away, all of its greatness and glory
that ii supports share the desolation. 1t is
these considerations which induce US while
there is yet hope, 10 resist every attempt TO
pass laws not in pursuance of but against
The letter and spirit of that instrument,
knowing as we do that consequences the
most fearful must follow