Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-28
The Voice Of a Patriotic Statesman--
Is the Constitution the same in War
a. i'm Peacei

We commend the following sensible and states
manlike views of the Hon. John j. Crittenden. Of
Kentucky, as expressed in late speech in the
House of Representatives 20 those who believe
that the Constitution Is one thu z in war and
another thing in peace. and think that the
Union can not be restored except 10y violating
that instrument:
War is supposed TO give US the power which
peace does not The Constitution denies il in
time OF pence That may assume as granted
by all-that there Is none 40 bold 10 deny IT, But
the state OF war = supposed to give the power TO
Congress Mr.. Chairman, il seems To me that
the Constitution Is utter failacy, that il Is
the same to-day and tomorrow, in peace and in
war. IL WAS made for peace and for IL was
Mr.. Madison says for duration, tor all time, 80
far as human hands could aspire to make work
that should be perpetual IL would have been
impersecr il il had not. IL has that power which
prohibits it in time OF peace to emancipate slaves
in State Can that power rise up out OF any
state of ,hings agaidst the Con sttution! The
Constitution gives you ight TO make war, and
the Constitution gives YOU implicitly all of the
powers incidental 10 il. Does 1t include power
hostile to the Constitution itseliy That would
have been strange harmony, indeed. No, sill !;
all must harmonic with the Constitution.
There some gentlemen, sir. who seem TO
me think that no war measure can be OF suh
i
source somewhere outside of the limits of the
Constitution But the Constitution is a tame so
Der instrument that Yields nothing TO peace or to
war. IL has sensations 1t has no enthusi-
aSms IL is a calm, steady, cold rule of the
Government at all times, through the night and
through the day, through storm and sunshine,
through peace or war. That is what il is. Ii
does lack those sensations which we have in "a
high degree. They seem to think that some
Z Dortiou of tlpSp Unconstitutional puthu Sio mn
must come into measure to give it eff
cacy and force. Not bit OF il.
MIR Chairman, the Constitution is our
strength Ii warns the heart of the people, and
it is their defense and protection. What has
filed the fields with six hundred thousand men
in arms in opposition To this rebeliOnl Ii is the
Constitution, the bond OF ireemen, the bond of a
free Government Let that admonish US that
strength Is in the Constitution, and that il is
not in the sensation sort of measures which We
attempt sometimes to Get up here more iorci-
BILE than the Constitution Ii is not the phantaSy
nor the chmera which politicians may delight in.
/ But what do the people delight ing What makes
them rush to the battle and to lay down their
/ lives to preserveY 1t is the Constitution 1t is
/ known to the people-knOwn TO their wives and
/ to their children. IL is the heritage of the poor
/ mln that puts him upon equality in point Oi
/ rights under the laws with the highest and most
arlstocratc in the land. Ii Is our spear and
shield. It is strength. Ii is that which
has guided our army and enabled il TO over
power all who opposed il. That is your
strength: let it 90. The more faith
/ fully YOU adhere to It. the more constantly YOU
worship it, aid show by your acts that YOU will
/ do nothing not warranted by it, the more YOU
will have the favor and confidence Ot the people
/ and the more the Government will have strength
! All outside is mere alteration, all outside is de
i luSive-there Is no strength IN IT, Adhere to
that as the line of your policy. Allow of no
policy, indulge in no practice that shall take you
beyond the limit OF your power. That limit OF
/ your power i the landmark of the rights and
/ privileges of your constituents Its limit to day
4 protects me. You may struggle against its
limits We ,as legislators. may struggle against
the limits that conStran Us. but they defend the
limits which {iStect the interests and the rights
of the peoflezS Whenever YOU enlarge your
powers by gorE beyond the Constitution. you
diminish their RI Its or enlarge their rights. The
/ people are for tha Constitution, whether YOU are
+ or not and MUST VII think Heaven that it is
/ So" q,