The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-10-17
WHERE ARE WE DRIFTING.

! ing the British Crown against grievances, ant
protesting against usurpaionst hey took up arms
and gave their reasons--some of which we an
| nex-in memorable paper, known to this day
as the
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
The history Of the present King of Grea
Britain is a history Of repeated Injuries and u
ssrpations, all having in direct object the estab'
lisment of an absolute tyranny over these
States
He has affected to render the military inde-
pendent Of ani superior to the civil power.
He has combined with others TO subject us to
a jurisdiction foreign TO our Constitution, and
unaclSnowlcdged by our laws
For depriving us, in many cases, OF the ben
fits Of trial by jury.
For Transporting lis beyond seas to lie tried for
pretended ofIenscs.
These reasons were held then to be sound and
sufficient, and to this day the whole civilized
world holds the same opinion of them.
The Revolution over and independence a.
chieved, the Fathers of the Republic met in
convention tofra;ne Constitution for the safe
and better government of the states which, at
great expenditure of blood and treasure, they
rescued from British thraldom; and to save
their escenlants from outrages anl agsres-
sions similar to those practced upon themselves
by the king of Great Britain, they did as they
supposed, so distinctly define and limit the ex-
tent of power entrusted to each department of
the national government 50 clearly indicate the
reserved rights Of the individual States, and SO
securely hedge around with safeguards the
rights and personal liberty of the eitiz en-, that
there could be no danger of encroachments by
the central government, and consequently no
cause for dissatisfaction the part of the States
or insurrection or revolution on the part of the
people. How far their expectations have been
realized, history viii declare AS far as human
foresight, profound wisdom, large experience,
an | an humble trust in Divine Providence could
enable them to make perfect Constitution, they
+ To the President, by virtue Of the civil func-
tions of the office, and as a Commander-in-Ch
of the army and navy, is committed the faith
ful execution of the laws; by and with the adj
vice and consent of the Senate. he may perform
the duties eoiiep eep J5Aa faithful performance OF
euth.
Constitution of the United States.
OF THE EXECUTIVE.
s. Before he enter on the execution of his
Office, he shall take the following oath Or ailir-
nation:
81 do solcmnly swear (or affirm That will
faithfully execute the Office of President of the
United States, and will, to the best of my abil-
ity, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitu-
tion of the United States"
OF THE LEGISLATURE.
ART. /, Sec. l. All legislative powers here in
granted shall be vested in a Congress of the u
nited States, which shall consist Of a Senate and
House of Representative.
SEC s. The Congress shall have power to lay
and collect taxes, duties, inposts, and excises,
to pay the debts and provide for the common
defence and general welfare of the United
States.
To make all laws which shall be necessary
and proper for carrying into execution the fore
going powers, and all other powers vested by
this Constitution in the Government of the u
nited States or in any department or officer
thereof
SEC o. The privilege of the writ of habcas
corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in
cases of rebellion or invasion the pubic safety
may reQaac Il.
OF THE JUDICIARY.
ARr 3, SEo.2 The trial of all crimes, except
in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury, and
such trial shall be held in the State where the
said crimes Shall have been committed within
any State, the trial shall be at such place or
places as Congress may by law have directed.
SEC 8. Treason against the United Stases
shall consist only in levying war against them
or in adhcrng to their enemies, giving them
aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted
of treason, unless on the testimony of two wit
nesses to the same overt act, or confession in O.
pen court.
AMENDED CONSTITUTION.
Art. 5. No person shall be held to answer
for capital or otherwise Infamous crime, un-
less on presentmcnt or indictment of grand
Jury, except in cases arising in the land or ma
val forces, or in the militia when in actual SER
vice in time of War or public danger.
Arr. 6. In all criminal prosecutions, the accus-
de shall enjoy the right tospeedy andpublic trial,
by an impartial jury of the state and district
wherein the crime shall have been committed,
which district shall have been previously ascer-
tanned by law, and to be informed of the nature
and csltlse of the accusation to be confronted
with the witness against him; to have compul-
sorry process for obtaining witnesses in his favor;
and to have the assistance of counsel for his
defence.
These are extracts from the Constitution
made by our fathers after they had emerged
from British tyranny. This constitution the
Presidensof the United States has sworn. to
sspreserve, protect and defend" to the best Of
my This1 ability" 1T seems that the Consttu-
ton vests IN Congress alone the right to suspend
the writ Of habeas corpus, and that only in ca-
E.~eS