The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-08-20
TO THE DEMOCRATS
AkD' ALL orHER FRlEnDs OF THE
Constitution and Union in Penn /

Central Committee, held the 29ih nl..the fil-
lowing resolution was adopted
Resolved, That the Chairman call. upo
the loyal men OF Pennsylvania, through the
Democratic Standing Committees of the
several counties, to meet in the several Cit
les and counties Of the State, a. such piac es
as shall be designated BY the said standing
Committees. respectively, on the l7Ih of
September next, 10 celebrate that day as
The anniversary of the dag of the adoption
OF the Constitution of the United States.
Pursuant to these resolutions, | call ut on
the Democratic Standing Committees ie-
speciively in The several cities and conn
Ties ofPennsylvania to reques, the Demo-
Gratis and all other loyal citizens to conve ne
in mass meetings at such places and at srch
hours. as they respectively may designate,
On the l7.h of September next, TO CON
memorate the adoption of the Constitut on
OF the United States of America.
Since the 17th of September. 1887, there
has been no period in the history OF Am,,ri-
ca when it was so eminenily fitting and
imporiantas the; present 10 bring TO the at
iention of the American people great fun
dameptal principles, which must unde lie
any Government where civil and religious
liberty exist, and especially those that nn-
derlie the Government OF this Union.-a
Union which rests for lis foundation upon
that Constitution which affirms and propo-
ses 10 make sacred and perpetual those
principles. That Constitution and that
Union one and inseparabIe--are now as
sailed by foes throughout the whole land,
by Secessionists in the South and Abolition
lists in the North. The former by hold
organized, armed movement. strike directly
and avowedly at the whole sovereign
~ and existence of our Constitutional Gov
ernment The latter by equally direct ef-
forts but from under the cloak of rece iily
declared friendship and patriotism, are
seeking TO thrast their traiiorous stie los
into the hart's blood of the nation.
Thei people OF this land are tho source OF
all power. They made Constitutions, and
they can, and, (unless they would become
the victims OF despolism or anarchy must
uphold them. The great fundamental prn-
ciples of civil and religious liberty asse -ted
in thesAmericah Constitution are essential
10 secure US in the enjoyment of life and
properly, and in the pursui: of happiness.
Among these are The freedom OF speech
and of the Press. the tight of the people
peaceably 10 assemble, The right of the peo-
pie 10 be secure III their persons, houses,
papers and effects against unreasonable
searches and seizures, that no warrant shall
issue but u2en probable cause, supported
by oath or affirmation, that no person shall
be held tofataswet for a capital or othel in
famous crime unless on a .presentment or
Indictment of Grand Jury except in cases
arising in the land and naval forces, ar in
lhe militia when in actual service in lime
OF war or public danger, that no citizen
shall be deprived of lie, liberty or property
without due process of law that in all crim-
inal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy
the right 10 a speedy and public trial, by
an impartial jury of The Stale or District
where the crime shall have been commits
ted, which District shall have been pIevi-
ously ascerained by law, aud 10 be inform
ed of the nature and cause of The accusation
TO be confronted with the witnesses against
him, to have compulsory process for OBJ
tanning witnesses in his favor, and 10 have
the assistance of counsel for his defenre.-
That the powers not delegated 10 the United
States, by the Constitution, nor prohioite
by it 10 the States, are reserved 10 the States
respectively, or 10 the people.
Among The powers not delegated to the
United States, but reserved to the States re-
speciivefy or to he people, is the rlgh, to
hold elections and 10 determine upon and
fix The qualifications of voters With the
people of Pennsylvania this great right is
fixed by the Constitution of the State, and
10 power bu: that Constitution, and laws
enacted in pursuance thereof, can prchibit
the exercise of; or limit or restrain that
righ;--a rgh; most inestimable 10 our peo~
pie, and formidable TO iyrants only.
Fellow counirymen, on the coming ami
versary OF The day of the adoption Of the
American Constitution, in The exercise OF
''lhe right of the people peaceably as
semble," let Us all solemnly and reversntIy,
in the face of all men and before Heaven,
declare our firm determination "to pledge
our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred hon.
ors, ''to preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution OF the United Siates.' Let Us
afford TO President Lincoln the most indu-
bitable evidence, that in the observance OF
his cath OF office to do the same thing, we
will uphold and support him, just as readi-
ly as we have already shown him that in
filling up from our ranks the great bulk of
the army, now and heretofore 10 the field,
we have always been ready al whaieyer
sacrifice 10 strike down open aud armed
defiance 10 the execution of the laws and
to the sovereignty of the Government AS
n. ,nd ~ lo-of