The Big blue union. [volume] (Marysville, Kan.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-28
THE QUESTION STATED.


The Hon. William Whisiog, in his pam
phlet on the "-War Powers of the Presi-
dent" speaking Of the liberal and strict
of the Constitution, draws
the following fair picture of that instru.
ment, and asks that,-since it has wealth
cred the storms of three-quarters of CEN
tury, has strengthened aud defended it.
self from all foes through that rod
it may now be allowed to defend and save
itself from the machinations of its domes-
tic foes:
The friends and defenders Of the con-
s,itu,ion of the United States of America,
ever since its ratification, have expressed
widely different opinions regarding the
limitation Of the powers of government in
time of peace, no less than in time of war.
Those who have contended for the most
narrow and technical construction, having
stuck to the letter Of the text, and not ap-
prsciating the spirit in which it was
framed. are opposed to all who view it as
only frame of government. a plan-'n'
outline, for regulating the affairs of an en-
terprising and progressive nation. Some
treat that frame of government as though
it were cast-iron mould, incapable OF
adaptation or alteration-as one which
blow would break in pieces. Others think
j, a hoop placed around the trunk of a
living tree, whose growth must girdle the
tree, or burst the hoop. But sounder
Judges believe that it more resembles the
tree itself, native to the soil that bore it,
waxing strong in sunshine and in storm,
putting forth branches, leaves, and roots,
according to the laws of its own growth,
and fourishlng with eternal verdure.-
Our constitution, like that of England,
contains all that is required to adapt i,ss'f
to the present and future changes and
wants Of free and advancing people
This great nation, like distant planet in
the solar system, may sweep round wide
orbit; but in its revolutions it never gets
beyond the reach Of the central light
The sunshine Of constitutional law iIlu-
mines its pathway in all it's changing posi-
tions. We have not yet arrived at the
'sdead point where the hoop must burst
the mould be sbattered-.he tree girdled-
or the sun shed darkness rather than light
By liberal construction of the constitu-
ton, our government has passed through
many storms unharmed. Saveholdiug
States, other than those whose inhabitan is
originally formed it, have found their way
int the Union, notwithstanding the guar
antee of equal rights to all. The terrific
ries of Florida and Louisiana have been
purchased from European powers. Con-
quest bas added nation to our berders.-
The purchased and the conquered regions
are now legally part of the United
States. The admission of new States con-
tanning privileged class, the incorpora-
ton into our Union of foreign people,
are held to be lawful and valid by all the
courts of the country. Thus far from the
old anchorage have We sailed under the
flag of "public necessity" "general
welfare" or " common defence" Yet the
great charter of our political rights G. still
lives )" and the question of to-day is,
whether that instrument, which has not
prevented America from acquiring one
country by purchase, and another by con-
quest, will permit her to saue herself?
TIN WEDD1sG.-Among our local items
this week. we must not fail to notice the
Tin Wedding of Mr.. and Mrs. Isiah