Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-03-21

HC lollOWlnS TciHdThS Wcft lluIG Dy our
State Senator, Mr.. Bound, in regard a
amendments relative to bill defining md
Furnishing treason:
he It res0]red By tie Senate dnd House Of
RPygseRtoticcs Of The Commonwealth Of Pena-
sy,canid, in General AssemLiy met That the
Senators from this State be instructed and
the members of Congress requested to pro-
cure thc-immediatc passage Of laws defining
and furnishing offences of a treasonable
character not amounting to high treason
and providing for the fair and speedy trial
by an impartial jury Of persons charged
with such SttA1c65 in theioyai and undis-
turbcd States, so that the guilty may justly
suffer and the innocent be relieved.
Mr.. Clymcr, CDem.) Mr., Speaker, | move
that the Senate go into committee of the
whole for special amendment Of the bill as
follows
First. To insert after the words ''pas-
sage of laws the words lin accordance with
the Constitution of the United States and Of
the State of Pennsylvania"
Second. To insert after the words "spccdy
trial" the words lin the district where the
alleged crimes have been committed"
Mr.. Bound. I confess, Mr.. Speaker that
,if there is anything in the amendments of
fcred by the Senator from Berl:s aside from
the cnunciation of the most hcretical doc
trinc-a doctrine which has plunged this
country into terrible revolution, and crea-
ted the most horrid civil war that the civil
lied world has ever witncssed-thcn, sir, I
cannot understand the language employed.
Ii the language used is anything more than
mere surplusagc, it is SIMPLY the onuncia-
ton of the doctrine of State rights ir new
Al, q, L. Il,
a thing as an exclusive allegiance to the
Constitution of the State of Pennsylvania
that if that Constitution contains anything
conflicting with the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, it is in such particular higher
and superior to the organic law of the Uni
ted States. ! cannot consent to any such
doctrine. think the organic law is en-
bodied in the Constitution of the States, of
PENNSYLVANIA. For one sir, shall not be
guilty Of the folly, if not of the impudence
of attempting to instruct men who have ia
ken the same oath or obligation that have
taken to support the Constitution of the
United States, by voting for a resolution in
which is incorporated an amendment of this
kind We have no right to throw an impli-
cation into the teeth of Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress, that they will pass a
law in violation of the Constitution of the
United States or in violation of the Consti-
tuition of the State of Pennsylvania, unless
the latter instrument conflicts with the or
ganic law which comprises the covenant OF
the States Of this Union. If the Constitu-
tion of this State contains no conflicting pro-
vision Of that character, then you are asking
members of Congress- who are sworn 70 SUD-
port the Constitution OF the United States,
net to do that which is in violation Of their
oaths of office | would not insult them oy
putting any such qualification into simple
resolution asking for the passage OF a law
to define offences under the grade of treason.
such language is impudent, defiant, trea-
sonable and by no means such as should be
employed by this Legislature in praying for
a boon at their hands.
If the amendments proposed are only sur
plusage, then they are useless as a part OF
this resolution. If they are not surplusage,
then they are a deliberate insult to Senators
and members of Congress and an undis-
guiscd insinuation that they will make laws
not in accordance with the Constitution OF
the United States. presume that they un,
derstand their obligations just rs well as
the Senator from Bcrks can comprehend
| them, and that they act under rs solemn 4
sense Of their responsibility to themselves
/ to thcir country and their God and with rs
full an appreciation of the responsibility
J which duty dcvolvcs upon them. ! think il
| is little short of an insult to put such pro
/ vision on recommendation to members O
! Congress, who are called upon to make laws
! for the nation. But, as | said before ther,
/ is concealed under the thin guisc of these
amendments the sophistry and hellish doc
/ trine of State Iights-a doctrine which ha,
/ brought about all the deadly strife anC
! hloodshed which has desolatcd almost every
/ frcside and hearthstone throughout IL,
entire North. and dyed the very earth will
| the hearts blood of friends and brothers.
The supposition thar Congress may pas
/ a law viuatiyc OF the Constitution Of tho
/ State Of Pennsylvania is not warranted
/ The Constitution Of the United States il
/ above and beyond the Constitution of thi!
! Commonwealth the allegiance of tcitizcr
! of PENNSYLVANIA is not to the State, but tC
| the General Government. ] cannot vote tol
a resolution, which, by fair implication anc
under the fimsiest disguise, even squints "a
such IA doctrine. ! hold that the pura
mount duty of every true and law abiding
citizen is first 10 the Government OF tn,
/ Emitted States and afterwards TO the Com
monwealth in which hc resides therefor,
/ it i that 1 cannot vote for any such amend
mcnt: and Therefore, il is that l ask thos,
who do not believe that your membcr, %
Congress will enact law in violation of th,
Constitution, in violation of their solemn
oaths, 20 stand up boldly and maniully an,
slap this covert treason in the face, Now
aud here j. the time and place ro meet thi
question aud a. rvpudiUte at once and iu
an tim1 10 come doctrines Nhi.h, in ny
opinion, are totally subycrsiye of our iou.
uf government amt az war with the geniu
OF Republican Institutions. II the amend
meGt have any other design than u studio,
insult 90 your representatives In Congress
then they are puerile aud contempiibe, to
every one knows that Congress can pass NJ
violation OF thc Constitution Of the Unite,
States, n their true intent land heliey'
there 10 uu slh1u he 10 rsusitatc the miser
able duamas of John G.. Calhoun, % rccng
Mic the hpll born doctrines which are th,
lfs and ,oul Of this rebellion, then shnul,
they be secuted nom these halls with scou
and Indignation.
The amendments were rejected, and th'
original resolution adopted
BAKrn nuE,n puunIAo Halt poun,
Oi ,iaie bread cfumhs. one plnt anal half O.
hoiins mlik poured over aA eRgs, bga