, 1863-12-19
Qbira9a Gribnnf.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1868.
JUSTICE FOR Seeded STATES.
D'n -,1n $ot-a 41,e 7,,of,er view Coy

JUSTICE TON SECEDEO S1AAk>S'
By Ill who take the proper view Gov
ernn,cnt must be regarded as not only
armed with power, but also as clothed
with . sacred and inviolab1e authority.
It is SO far from being trivial and venial
offence, one Of the deepest guilt to rebel
aesius. a Just Government, or rise against
II ii armed treason. The fact Of our own
Government being so entirely under the
control Of the people, and its administra-
tion being so entirely subjected to popular
criticism, opposition, and change, have had
a tendency to undermine and weaken this
sentiment Of loyal submission, and deep
ycnc.atiou for its authority. This scnti-
,ncnt has also been greatly and deplorably
impaired by the preposterous' notions so
long prevalent among class ofpoliticians,
who have falsely elevated the doctrine Of
Slate rights, until it ovcrops the rights Of
the General Government, and has placcd
them beneath the feet Of State SOW
reignty. Il is, however, none the less true,
that the authority Of the Union is supreme
over oil the States; the only: true SOY
rcignty exists in the government of the
the Union; and it alone is clothed fully
with those divine attributes Of supreme
and sovereign power to which every Stale
and citizen is bound by a1l divine and hu-
man law, to yidd loyal and faithful obo-
dicncc- i:
A government clothed with this high
dignity and eminence, is under obligation,
10 enforce at all lines obedience and re-
spect from oil beneath its power. Il acts
unwor.lilly, and shows gross want Of the
proper understanding Of its duty, and Of a
true appreciation Of Its own dignity and
character, if it suffers any act to pass un-
noticed TINT sights its authority; or fails
to avengc any open insult or defiance offs
honor or power. ANY government, worthy
Of the name, has q character to maintain,
and IN honor to bcmost jcalously guarded.
When injured OF insulted by foreign ma
tions it should show that fine sense
of honor. which feels stain like a
mound, andrepcls every assault with quick
and fearful punishment And far less
should it submit to any real contempt Of
its authority, or insult and defiance from
its own citizens 4 government TINT will
endure patiently wrongs and outrages from
its own people, ndbearmeekly ytheirinsults
and defnncc, has lost at once al claim to
obedience or respect from anybody, and
is ready 10 be beaten down and trampled
under foot by all men.
Few will be found bold enough to deny
this, and yet We are almost continually
forced to lcar methods of treatment Of
rebels and traitors, and modes Of dealing
with seditious and insurgent States, which
can only be pursued when the Government
Of the Union has lost nll sense Of its high
dignity md majesty, aud has no spirit left
to punish the most insoIent attacks upon
its authority, and the grossest insults to its
honor. Tie States, which in the most
outspokcn defiance Of the authority Of the
Union, and in terms Of the most bitter and
malignant scorn and contempt flung of
their bonds Of allegiance, broke in pieces
and trampled under foot law and constitu-
lion, and madly plunged into q career OF
crime and guilt, which has c1imsoned the
land with blood, laid the whole country
wounded and helpless at the feet of its for.
eign foes, and threatens us I'LL with we
know not what greater and more terrible
calamitiess these States, we are told
should be allowed to come back, whcneve,
it suits their pleasure and convenience
resume their old places, and all their oli
rights md privileges in the Union; ant
sit down in the council halls Of the nation
side by side, with equal power and respect
with those loyal States, who hare been til
victims Of their pe6dy md treason thei
hands Sill reeking with guilt, and thci
garments red with the blood Of loyal mel
Il will be in vain that the true and loy1
men Of this country are appealed to ,
support any such proceeding. They fe
that the authority Of the Gorcrnment mu
be 1indicated, and its honor preserve
You cannot persuade tl,cn that this j,
famous rebellion is to be overlooked, (
that either The n1en or tic STATES who hqy
been wading waist deep in loyal blood, a,
10 60 unwhipped Of justice. There mn:
be some means found BY which the authol
ity Of the General Government is Wind
Gated in the treatment Of States Us well !,
individuals. Tlcse last will find t,,ei
punishment IN the next world if not i
this. But there is no future world fo
States or nations. They must hive jus,ic
done them here, or not at all.