The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-06-20

pOllcy VI bNuslOn OSSn hiCu hhu iOuup
wanting.
"The Constitution as it is, and the Union
as it was
Our Northern sympathizers with treason
have chosen for their motto. "The Consti-
tuition as it is, and the Union as it was."-
Like that with which the Bell. Everett party
entered the contest of 1860, "The Const-
tuition the Union and the enforcement of
the laws" it sounds patriotic, and is we'll
calculated to attract unwary conservatives,
who love the old Union, and the Consttu-
ton from which it derives its being, and
who are naturally averse to any policy that
would destroy the one or impair tho other
Long accustomed to regard "the com
promises of the Constitution" as the Con.
stitution ITSELF it is perhaps no wonder that
whatever has a tendency to weaken Slavery
is, in their view, fatal to the Union. Whence
originated this strange fallacy, if not in the
demoralzing influence which years of
habitual acquiescence in pro.slavery rule
have had upon the Northern mind Who
ba: not felt that influence, or who can esti.
mate its full extent ?
Nothing could bo more false and illogical
than that tho integrity of the Constitution
aud the Union requires the continuance o!
Slavery for a single moment There is not
Republican, however radical who does
not desire tho preservation of "the Con-
stitution as it is," unporverted by tho Prop
agaudists and apologists of Slavery, and the
restoration of "the Union as il was,' under
the Constitutional rule of our iorefathers,
which made Freedom national and Slavery
sectional, and would, if continued, have
saved the country aliko from pro-slavery
degoneracy and civil war 1t is only the
party of Slavery in league with treason and
rebellion, that is not satisfied with such q
Constitution and Union.
We hear great deal about "tho com.
promises of the Constitution" in regard
Slavery. We admit them, and arc willing
to allow them all tho weight to which they
are justly entitled. Our torefathers found
Slavery existing in the Statos. at the time
of the adoption of the Constitution. lt was
O stumbling block in their way, and, to
avoid il, they made certain compromises.
Mono of those compromises, however, recog.
nizes the right of property in man, (suoh
recognition being purposely avoided )and all
being contrary to the spirit of the Consti-
tuition, and in derogaton of human rights,
should bo strictly construed. They, at tho
farthest extent, only recognize tho exist
nf Slavaru in narfai, nit hnn nj
making the National Government RESPONSE
bic for its continuance. They arc found
in tho following provisions of tho Constitu.
tion:
lst. That tho foreign slave trade should
not be prohibited by Congress, prior 20 the
year 1908.
I'd That threo-ffths of tho slaves of any
State shall be enumerated. in determining g
the number of Representatives in Congress
to which II is entitled.
Sd. That fugitive slaves shall be delivered
up on claim of their masters.
4th. That the Govornment may call out
tho militia of any of tho States, to sup,
press domestic insurreGiion.
The first of these provisions oxpirod long
since by its own limitation. and remains
dead letter in tho Constitution. Tn,
second, third and fourth have reference Il
tho existence of Slavery, but in no way re
quire its continuance and should II cease I,
exist, they would simply become imperative
like tho first, without in the least impairinl
tho Constitution or endangeriDg the Union
VThau narfaoflu nj ifh kn a.,
that Slavery is q State institution, and do
pendent solely upon State authority for it
preservation. Wo of tho North may b
bound to acquiesce In tho three ffths repre-
sentation in those States where there ar
slaves to be enumerated; but we arc no
bound to guarantee tho presence of such
class in any State. Many Of tho State
have novor held slaves, while others hav,
abolished Slavery. In all these. of course
this provision is imperative, but is tho Con
sutu'ion thereby impaired? ? The Consttd
tlon may require us to return fugitive slaves
and suppress sorvile Instructions, bot i
certainly docs not require us to perpetuatt
system whose victims escape from thcil
masters, and rebel agAins, their authority
Suppose the Gov, rnment wore to trent tb,
Rebel Statos, wi;h their poe altar institution
as extinct, or, in the exercise OF tho wa,
po~cr. to declare evOry slave free man
who will contend that such action woul,
impair tho Constitution or destroy tn
UnionS
This plausible doctrine Of "The Constitu
tion as II is, and the Union as it was" pro
mulgated by our Northern sympathzer
With treason, would pledge the Nation &
the perpetuation of Slavery. Let ii be iu
dignantly repudiated. Now is our opportu