The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-01-16

portant, Indispensable parts of the Union, and
that the reserved rights of the States were as
important as the rights of the Federal Govern,
ment. We are now startled with the announce
ment that the President of this limited Govern
ment, who only has power to use force to exc
cute the laws of the Union, is, by this war pow
er, able to absorb all the powers of government.
Upon the same principle he can dispense with
Congress and with all State power.
eff our fathers really made such a Govern
ment as this, they did it by mistake; they did
MT intend it. Their shades would startle and
quake at the developments of the first of Janua-
ry, 1868"
The Columbus Ohio Statesman says:
'But we have not time to dwell upon the in
| conslstencies and absurditics Of this proclama-
ton Honceforth the war, which was avowed-
ly commenced for the restoration of the Union
| and the maintenance of the Constitutional rights
OF all the States unimpared, is to be, accord
ing to this Executive decree, war for the
maintenance of negro freedom. For that prir
pose the army and navy of the United States
| are to be employed; the resources of the coun-
try are to be taxed, and the lives of our citizens
| sacrificed for the sake Of securing the freedom
of negro slaves.
'lf anything were wanting to crown the
| folly and infamy of the present administration.
| this proclamation caps the climax 1t will be
difficult for it to find lower deep"
Not less than one thousand papers and or
gans of public opinion in the loyal States, will
hold similar language.
The Cincinnati Inquirer has the following
| Comments:
''tn his Emancipation Proclamation the
President has attempted to 40 that which in the
most solemn and public manner he had declar-
ed that he did not intend, and had no rioht TO
do under the Constitution. Upon his own
promises and declarations-upon his own vol
untary Interpretation Of the paramount law of
the land, he stands condemned. This no one.
who has any regard for his own reputation for
veracity, can dispute. The President is, therefore.
wrong, either in affirming that he had no right
to eTeWlth slavery, or in Interfering with it
and this even his most Jealous suppo rters must
per- force confess.
IF the nine States in which the President
has declared slavery to be abolished are parts
of the Union, the only power which the Pres-
dent has within them is that which is riyen by
iilo SoiiSeltutioli' IHe ollly ground upon which
the war can be justified, and the only one thus far
set up for its jurisdiction, is that they are parts
OF the Union, and that their people, in a state
OF disobedicnce to the Constitution, must be
made to submit to its authority. AS members
of the Union, slavery is entitled to remain in
tact therein, by the fact that the Constitution
gives neither the President nor any branch of
the Government any power over the domestic
relations of the people.
'If the nine States are out of the Union, the
war IS a war of conquest, carried on by one in
dependent nation against another. Wars of
conquest are of more than doubtful Justice.
and the sober judgment of mankind has always
been against the State which, taking advantage
of the supposed weakness of another, has sought
to subdue it. In respect to such wars, there
, are rules Of conduct which national honor de-
lnands should be observed. One of the points
made in the Declaration of Independence
and properly made-against the King of Great
Britain, was that he had excited domestic in
surrections.' That which was an act of unex-
ampled barbarity in King, is it any the less
so when perpetrated by President7"