Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-02-28
Comn,unIcated.

vote on the Dressed Resolutions. agreo
with you in your surprise that any intelli-
gent man who desires that our govern
ment would put down the rebellion, could
have given countenance to such resolution,
or that such man could persuade himself
that the constitution furnishes peculiar pro-
lection 10 one kind Of property more than
to another. The constitution does not at
tempt to define what is and what is not
property; nor am l aware that any written
constitution or code of laws in any nation
on earth attempts such thing. The rea-
son is obvious. National law, supported by
reason, has so clearly defined what may be
used as property, that all nations in all parts
Of the world have been unanimous in the
idea that all things animate or inauimate,
except man himself, may be property; and
this general idea Of mankind is sustained
by the Word of God
And God said, let make In our own image, after
our likeness; and let them have dominion the
fish Of the sea- and the fowl of the air and the
CATTLE and the earth, and every creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.-Genesis 1, XVI.
It will bo observed that this divine grant
of property is made to all men without dis
tinction of race or color, and subjects all
things to man as property, except man
himself.
Our Constitution proceeds on the above
universally received definition of property,
and undertakes to protect every person
within its jurisdiction, in the possession and
6 enjoyment of his property; but nowhere
docs this Constitution even by implication,
recognize any thing as property, which is
not recognized as such by common consent
| of mankind, by the laws of nature and the
laws Of God. Nor does this Constitution
in any way secure the possession Of any
particular kind Of property moro than the
possession Of all kinds of property.
II should be further observed, that the
Constitution does not secure the possession
of any kind of property to one man, that is
not equally secure to every man; nor is pos
session of property secured in one locality
that is not secured in every locality, SO that
: whatever mny be held as property by virtue
of the Constitution in South Carolina OF
Virginia, may bo held as property in New
n York or Ohio, or any were else.
It 1t is quite evident therefore, that the ides
of property in man has no support in thu
J Constitution, and that whatever of property
q may be supposed to exist in slavery mus
be subject to all the liabilities of othel
property. 5,.r. ~. ...--
3 If the Constitution expressly established
| slavery, and secured the possession of that
: kind Of property to any of the States; there
: would seem to be some plausibility in the
resolution of Mr.. Dressed
Rcsolucd That Slavery is State institution
0 guaranteed as such by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, and we cannot agree
that the National Government shall undertake
the emancipation of Slaves against the will O
0 slavehOlding States, a military necessity, on
any ground WhGtsoercrl
d but, as the letter and spirit Of the Con.
g stitution are in direct conflict with slavery
and AS no State has any such sovereignty
d as authorizes the enactment of laws, or thu
y creation of institutions that are contrary I,
e the Constitution, it follows that Mr.. Dres
: sePs resolution is not the product of careful
examination, though possibly, it betrays
little shade of an inward desire that th
rebels may triumph.
Be Although it is TO be regretted that Nj
Thorpe should entertain views which le,
!, him TO vote for the above resolution, still,
! cannot clearly see that he is liable to espe
= cial censure, unless he was pledged to
= course different from that which his Ion.
: cherished sentiments would naturally lea
= to. II have been correctly informed, Nj
~ Thorpe has long entertained views favori
=. y bio TO Shareholders and their peculiar inst
y tuition; that be put forth no particular 9
u fort; gave no pledges; nor even pretende
i that his viows had undergone any chang
= in order that he might obtain the positio
y he now occupies. cannot think that MI
Thorpe would violate any pledge that b
- might make, or that he could be driven int
! any action inconsistent with his views of pS
= - litical propriety.
y 1t seems, in view of all this, that il th
= committee proposing him to the conventio
- that nominated him, were satisfied wit
- him domination underline circumstances b
ing nearly equivalent to an election an
!" the people who voted for him were also sa
90 &c istied with him, they ought, at least to |
~ ~ mild in the censure they lay upon him.
~ ~ It is plead that they were unacquainted vii
y him and did not know his sentiments, the
;" the blame should rest on themselves.
~ Our whole people are now undergoing
'o ~ change Of views on the subject of shaver
=, = and the rights Of colored men. Probably
e e greater progress has been made in the rig
y direction within eight OF ten months thl
''' ever occurred in the same length Of time
= any nation in the world. Investigation, d
ne bate, and kind reproof will doubtless acc
.'y eratc the good work, while censorious STR
,So1 and harsh rcbuke are sure to retaFd it,
-, the present gloomy condition of our count
~ every lawful means should be used to
~ tighten aud harmonize the whole people.
h. ln former years, party interest has gel
Us w.n rally dictated the choice Of men for off
rs but if we would save our government a
H. nation from death, we must seek men
- Office whose li,geS ,i,,,,aisf,1 k0blv 0xdr0Ni