Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-10

ConnschtIOu.
The Constitution Of the United Ststes, by
virtue Of the objects for which It was AdOpt-
ed, must possess the power Of self-Preser-
vation, in the use Of whatever means may
be necessary for that purpose. This prop
osition is so self-evident that Il was not
necessary it should be stated in words in
that instrument. These objects were, 9" to
form more perfect Union, establish JUS
tice, insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defence, promote the gem
eral welfare, and secure the blessings Of
liberty to ourselves and our pOsterity,' as
stated in the language Of those who framed
the Constitution. Now these objects are
equally important for all time, and were
intended to be secured not only to the then
existing generation, but their pOsterity to
the end Of time. ...
But the Constitution is not without a
distinct recognition Of this power Of self
preservation Article /, section vII1, pro-
vides that Congress shall have power to
levy and collect taxes, duties, imposts and
excises, to pay the debts and provide for
the common defence and general iOsBars Of
the United States" Among the distinct
powers conferred by this section in the
Constitution, is that of providing for tho
common defence and general welfare. -
The power of self-preservation is clearly
granted and this power is not limited,
either in its extent, or in the mode of its
exercise
1t is a principle Of law, as well as Of
sound common sense, well established, that
the grant of power to accomplish given
object or end, does, and Of necessity must
include whatever means are necessary TO
effect that end, and no special grant of
means is required. We are not, however,
left to infer the right to use the requisite
means for attaining the object. Clause l8
Of Article VIII, provides that Congress
shall have power to make all laws which
shall be necessary and proper for carrying
into execution the foregoing powers" OBJ
serve the completeness and deRnitepess Of
this power to make all laws which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into exc
cution the foregoing powers. Any legis-
lation required by the necessities of the
case is constitutional and proper. Who
shall be the judge as to what means are
necessary to provide for the common de-
fense? Obviously the party who is to ex-
ercise this power, Congress. The trainers
of the Constitution could not anticipate
every variety of cause that might be
brought to operate for the destruction Of
the Government and therefore wisely left
it for Congress to determine the particular
means to be employed for its defence and
welfare; and every form and description
of means required by the necessities of
the case are at the disposal of Congress.
The right of the Government to self
preservation, limited only by the use of
means necessary for that purpose being
conceded, the question arises, what means
can the Government make effective for
suppressing the existing rebelliOn3 We
answer, strike the enemy at the source of
his strength, paralyze the right arm Of his
power, confscate the property, and give
freedom to the slaves Of every traitor, and
employ the loyal men ofthe South, as fast
as they can be brought under Government
protection, to build the defenoes and hght
the battles in that hot and siokly climate.
Let Congress at once enact, and the Presi-
\ Is -----1----@--all slavps of reb-
Government take an open ana S5s-SI., A. a
stand on this subject, and let its purpose be
published on the wings of the wind, and
both the motive and the power, which now
| give life to the rebellion, will receive a
sheek fr9m which recovery is impossible.
There is no d9ubt but tho slaFes are the
main SUPPORT Of the rebellion, being the
producers of subsistence for the army, and
thousands being actively compelled to en-
gage in the war.
Take another view of this question: The
law afixes the penalty of death for the
| crime of treason, and no one doubts the
constitutionslity of this law. As life is
J the most sacred right man possesses, it
] AOBACIAAJ AoA1OhbJ II tuOeo kuAAlg VI tIcdhOn
forfeit life, they also forfeit all minor
rights which give value to life; and hence
the right Of qRiyeFssl cenfseatiOH, as the
| greater includes the less. Yet, how strange
that many prefessedly loyal men in the
free States Justify shooting down the rebel
stakeholder on the battle field, and strip
ping him of every cent, which he other
wise might legitimately hold as property,
and, at the same time, hold it to be uncon-
stitutional to deprive him Of his usurped
right to property in man, a right denied
him by the common laws and the law of
God. We wonder how it is possible for
even slavery, cruel and abominable as it
| is, to transform those born and educated
where It prevails, iRta i9esrHate iends.
! Have we not greater reason for astonish-
ment that slavery should so subvert the
reason and pervert the conscience of meu
in the free States, who have no pecuniary
interest in uphOlding it? Fl,
Return of ThurlOw Weed--state Of Foreign
Feeling.