The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-10-01

S-N T. N'''J ~ NAAS iNttSA ~
the Consittuiion-unauthorized by its
spirit, inconsistent with every princi-
pie on which it is founded, and de-
structive of the first object for which
it was formed" This right to sccede
is deduced from the nature Of the Con-
stitution, which they say is compact
between sovereign States who have
preserved their whole sovereignty, and
therefore are subject to no superior;
that bccaaso they made the compact
they can break it, when in their opin-
ion it has been departed from by other
States.
.Fallacious as this course of reason
ing is, it enlists State pride, and finds
advocates in the honest prejudices of
those who have not studied the nature
of our Government sufficiently to see
the radical error ON which it rests. To
say that any State may at pleasure Sc
cede from the Union, is to say that the
United States are no nation, because it,
would be a solecism to contend that
any part of a nation might dissolve its,
connection with other parts, to their
injury and ruin, without committing
an ottense. Secession, like any other
revolutionary act, may be morally just
flied by the extremity Of oppression;
but to call it constitutional right, is
contounding the meaning of terms, and
can only be done through gross error
Men Of the best intentions and sound
est views may differ in the construction
Of the constitution, but there are others
on which dispassonate reflection can
bear no doubt; Of thisnaturc appears to
be the assumed right Of Secession. The
right Of the people Ofa single State, to
absolve themselves at will, and with
out the consent Of other States, from
the most solemn obligation, and haz-
ard the liberty and happiness Of mill
ions composing this Union. cannot be
acknowledged.
Such authority IS believed to be ut
teri y repugnant, both to the precepts
upon which the General Government
and the objects which it is expressly
formed to attain, Again, General Jack
son speaking Of the right and duty Of
government to use force to prevent Sc
cession, says: mo one believes that
any right exists in single State to in
volve all others in these and countless
other evils, contrary to engagements
solemnly made, Every one must see
that other States in self defence must
oppose it at all hazards" Again speak
ing ofan ordinance passed by the South
Carolina Convention, he says, this sol
emn dcnunciatiOn Of the laws and au-
thority of the United States has been
followed up by a series OF acts on the
part Of the authorities in that State,
Which manifesto determination to rem
der inevitable Il resort to those meas
ures Of self-defence which the para
mount duty Of the Federal Government
requires"
1t is quite unnecessary to multiply
quotations from eminent statesmen up
on the subject. The great heart of the
American people is not only adverse to
this doctrine, but unaltcrably deter
mined to resist it, at all hazards, and
were it not for the fact, lamentable as
it is, that we find the candidate ola
party with which it has always been
our pride to act, defantly advocating
the right of Secession, the fact Of Sc
ccssion, the want of constitutional pow.
er on the part Of the General Govern
ment to prevent it by force, distinctly
and squarely planting himself on the
inability of a nation to save itself from
self destruction, from want of both
constitutional and physical power, and
calling upon the Government to with
draw the army from those he pleased
to call "scccded States, and hold an
armistice with rebels in arms, give up
the Mississippi, break up the blockade
call home the fleets, and thus give ur
all the ground which our brave sold.
iers have won at the cost Of so much
blood and treasure; were itnot, we say
for all this, we might be justified in re
naming silent. Is it doubted that this
is Mr., Yallandigham's position? Reat
his record, published and put forth un
der his immediate sanction, and spreat
broadcast all over the State. ..
1t is said that Mr.. vs., arrest, trial
and banishment, was a violation Of tht
constitutional rights. of citizens, an(
that this act of the Administration
must be rcbuked, by cletting Mr.. V
Governor of Ohio, almost the idcntica
doctrine advocated by the extremist
of the opposite party at tho beginnin:
of the war. ...'......... .... ....
1t is also said that the emancipation
proclamation is contrary to the lettcl
and spirit Of the Federal Constitution
and that war is being waged for tn,
freedom Of negroes, and therefore th
war ought to cease at once. Their
might be some force in these argument
flour conduct andopinions were at al
influenced by such Considerations !; bu
be it remembered that all the express
ions ofopinions of Mr.. ", herein pub
lished, were announced prior to tn
issuing Of tho proclamationJo or his ar
rest For these and other equally sat
isfactory reasons we feel constrained I
Withhold our support from Mr.. Y
though we decmit inexpedient to pu
third ticket in the field. rr. .. +
, Fellow Democrats of Ohio, Demo
Gratis who stood by Douglas ih tn
great contest of 1860 Democrats VIII
have sworn upon the altar of our coun