The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-07-16
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will be forever our safeguard against
troubles, trials and civil connections; and
we can not, as people, too quickly rec
ognize the binding obligations of the cou-
stitution in all its requirements.
All laws, both national and State,
should be founded upon its provisions
so long rs that constitution is the legal
constitution of the land We can see the
necessity Of this in the present conflict
that now RACES broadcast oyer this once
happy and peaceful domain.
shall enter into no personalities, but
l would say that wherever the constitu-
ton has been dcfied, and denounced, there
has been the guilt and blame; and in just
that proportion it has been denounced and
resisted should the punishment fall in all
its crushing weight md telling admoni-
tions. In my opinion, no greater calami-
ty could befall this nation than TO have
the sentiment prevail universally thro'out
the land that the provisions of the con-
stitution, in all its binding force, might be
set aside. Far better for us would il be
to have three millions Of invaders at
tempting to subdue us into subsection TO
some foreign power. For all our hopes
of permanent and lasting government
arc founded upon il, and the moment that
il is known that majority of the people
can set aside any of its obligations, that
moment the dividing wedge will have en-
tered upon our system of government.
AS not one of the laws chat govern the
solar system could cease to be law,
without producing utter confusion and
chaos, in the heavenly bodies, so not one
of the sacred provisions of the conslitu
tion can be set aside without producing
confusion and chaos in the government Of
our country.
1t must be the guide of Presidents and
statesmen, of our politicians, lawyers,
doctors and ministers, in all their dealings
with government affairs. 1t must go with
our army, wherever victory perches upon
our banner. It,must be stamped upon
the hearts of our officers and soldiers rs
necessary to establish the peace and quie-
tude of our country. The constitution
must be preserved inviolate, and the peo-
pie must be taught that their safety, and
the safety of this government, for all
time, depends upon this requirement.
No more should angry politicians be al
lowed to denounce it as an instrument
not fit to be obeyed. Every citizen thro'-
out the land should have copy of it,
The farmer, the merchant and the me-
chanic should have one hung just beneath
the family bible. They should read it
and ponder well upon its Importance; and
when all learn TO obey and respect it, then
will be the time that civil war will never
moro threaten to blight and desolate our
beautiful land.
And wherever State and national leg
islation have passed laws conflicting with
this sacred instrument, then and there,
when so legally decided, should all such
laws be forever Immediately repealed; and
wherever the sentiment prevails that the
constitution is not binding it should be
corrected.
Were the constitution to be recognized
ms supreme, by all, both North and South,
million of bayonets would to-day be
harmless and innocent in the hands of the
} enemies and defenders of our country.
And | would say TO you that it is we'll
, for us, on this national anniversary, ono
and all, to recognize as supreme that con-
! stitution so wise in its provisions and SO
necessary in its requirements.
And another obligation, resting upon
us as American citizens, is the cultivation
of more liberal sentiment toward the
foreign element of our country. There
has prevailed too long, throughout the
land, hostility against placing citizens
! of foreign birth upon an equal footing
with those Of our own. This hostility
has at times assumed dimensions of giant
magnitude; parties have sprung into pow
or assuming rs their platform that the
foreign element Of our country wero enc
mics of our Institutions and pledged to
, subyert and destroy our government
And these parties have stood pledged to
deprive them of the right of the elective
franchise, and Of the privilege of holding
office, and they have aimed to secure the
power of the government, and elected
Governors, Senators, Representatives and
State Officers, 10 carry out their object.
In my judgment the positions taken arc
erroneous in every articular-and time
has proved how false and fallacious have
been the predictions of many who would
have led this government estray.
} A second time in our history has the
day of conflict, of danger and trials be-
fallen our people, and second time has
} the foreign element of our nation rushed
forth ready to do, to dare and to die, in
} defense of our government. They stood
, with Adams and Jefferson, pledged TO
support that Declaration with their lives
! and sacred honors. And to-day they are
marshaled once more to meet the enemies
5 of the constitution. They have heard
) the cry, that the Union is in danger, and
they have left their homes and firesides
D and rushed forth, led by the gallant Sic
oel Meapher Hentzleman Shields Sick