The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-04-10
The Constitution i'm Danger.

The Constitution i'm Danger.
Many of the pro-slavery Democratic presses
as well as politicians, are continually endeavor
ing to create an excitement that the Constitu-
ton is in danger. They pretend that the Gov
eminent in the prosecution of the war; and IN
the measures proposed, is going too far they
profess to be alarmed, lest the constitutional
rich. of the rebel States, should be invaded and
the Constitution of the United States violated.
But what is this constitutional right which our
pro-slaverv Democratic neighbors are so much
exercised about It is curious to observe, that
all this cry Of the constitution being in danger,
converges to one single thing-freedom to the
slave. Constitutional violations in all other
matters, are treated as of no great account but
to do any damage to negro slavery is more than
our northern proslayery Democratic brethren
can bear-they won't stand it. Almost any
thing else may be done to put down the rebel
ion, and it is constitutional. Sieze the horses,
cattle, magazines and subsistence stores OF the
rebels, and appropriate them to the use OF our
armies, and it is al! proper Kill as many OF
the rebel forces as possible; destroy towns and
cities sink ships, coufscate property-but-
but. don't touch the bonds of the slave thai
would violate the constitution. Throw the arm
of protection around the institution of slavery,
as you would around your household gods =
shield it from harm as you would your wife =
suffer no hand of violence to be laid upon it,
sooner than sou would upon your blessed old
mother. Such ia practically the substance Of
the cutlery about the Constitution being in dan
ger,
What are constitutional rights? They are
such, as pertain to the people of a State collec-
lively, as well as to persons Individually. No
one disputes, that man may forfeit his right
under the Constitution to citizenship, liberty or
life If one man many do this, then two band
ed together, in committing offenses, may incur
like penalties and if two or more, then State
in its collective capacity, may forfeit its rig hts
under the constitution, by d deliberate act OF
tae people That State may forfeit its sover-
eighty and its government and be treated as q
nulhty, is a doctrine now recognized by the
General Government. Take for example Ten
] oSSAi
appointed for Tennessee, if that rebelious State
has government of its own entitled to recog-
milton? Evidently the rebel Government Of
Tennessee, is deemed to have alenated the
rights it once possessed under the constitution,
and is no longer regarded as having legal au-
thority.
! There is a class of northern admirers of sla-
very, profsssedcy union men, who seem really
afraid the present war will do something to
weaken negro bondage. They are evidently
alarmed lest liberty should gain something and
slavery be the loser Hence they are continu.
ally prating about constitutional obligations to
re- pect the institution of slavery. Cur pro-
slavery democratic presses, have hardly word
to say in favor Of charging the boundaries Of
freedom; indeed it would seem from the tone
Of some of these slavery loving journals that
they would not havethe,area of liberty increas
ed i single rood, were there no constitutional
or other obligation whatever in the way. Their
apparent chief concern and the burden of theil
song, is, for the rights Of the domestic institu
tions of the Seeded States. The old practise
| OF SGlIlHR hOlcH anu CHiiuf6u Ul liS duCJlOi
block, must not be- disturbed it would be a ia
graat violation Of the constitution, The bust
ness of old democratic Virginia, Of raising i'm
| proved stocks of negroes for the more southern
plantation markets-Slaves in whose veins the
aristocIatic blood Of the cold Dominion is
! literally diffused, must not be molested because
The constitution would be inperilled thereby
In short, these secession sympathisers are ap
parently willing the government, should resort
10 almost any means known to modern warfare,
to bring the rebel States back into the Union
only leave slavery unhurt.
No friend OF the present administration, de-
sires any departure from the true Interpolation
Of the constitution, in the prosecution of the
present war; nor is any violation whatever Of
that instrument, believed to be necessary, tc
bring the wal to a successful termination. The
President and his Cabinet are faithful to the
Constitution, and 10 truly loyal man need have
any apprehension, respecting the great charter
Of the Federal Government
/ -@ , s-
State EIeEssIaeure. The Adinupsng~ant