The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-04-08
Cepperhead Resolutions.

Cepperhead Resolutions.
We publish below the copperhead resolu-
tions as passed blythe House of Representa-
tives at Harrisburg, all the Republicans
voting against them;L We will postpone all
comment until some future time, leaving them
at present to be studied by the people, whose
action next fall will speak their solution of
the question: Do they, or do tAey not, con-
tain Treason?
| ResoIred, 5y the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentRtiues, That our institutions are assalled
BY an armed rebellion on one side, which is
| being met by the sword, and on the other by
unconstitutional acts of Congress, and start
! liRg usurpations of power by the Executive,
which we have seen by experiment can be
corrected by the ballot box policy as well as
! principle requires that our people shall await
the process Of reform, which is slow bat sure,
and refrain from all unlawful and unconsti-
tutional acts, which have already brought
terrible calamities upon the country, whilst
they invoke the aid of all patriotic men to
assist in averting the evils that threaten our
free institutions.
Second, That this General Assembly de-
clares that this State has ever been, is now,
and will remain in future, devotedly true to
the Constitution OF the United States and to
the Federal Government established by 1t,
and is determined to maintain them with her
utmost power against both domestic and for
eign foes.
Third, That this General Assembly recog-
nizes a manifest difference between the ad-
ministration of the Government and the Gov
ernment itself; the one transitory, limited in
duration to that period of time for which the
officers elected by the people are charged with
the conduct of the same the other is peIma-
| nent, intended by its founders to endure
forever
. Fourth, That this General Assembly, in the
exercise of its right to differ with the Federal
Executive, enters its solemn protest against
the proclamation of the President of the
| United States dated the first day of January,
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-threc,
by which he assumes to emancipate slaves IN
certain States, holding the same TO be unwise,
unconstitutional and yoid.I
! Fifth, That this General Assembly declares
that the power which has recently been as
sumed by the President of the United States,
whereby, under the guise of military neces-
sty, he has proclaimed and extended martial
has suspended the writ of habeas corpus, is
unwarranted by the Constitution, and its ten.
dency is to subordinate civil to military au-
thority, and to Subvert our system of free
Government.
Sixth, That this General Assembly, on be-
half of the people of this Commonwealth de-
! clares its determined opposition to system
of emancipation by the States, upon compen-
h. do Of tho Traa nf thn
United States, as burthensome upon the peo-
pie, unjust in its yery.nature ard wholly with
out warrant of the Constitution.
Seventh, That the General Assembly deem
it proper further to declare that it. together
with all the truly loyal people of the State
: would hail with pleasure and delight any
manifestation of desire on the part of the
seeded States to return to their allegiance to
the Government of the Union, and would in
such event cordially and earnestly cooperate
with them IN the restoration of peace and the
procurement of such proper guarantees as
would give security to all their interests and
rights.
: Eiqhh, That Pennsylvania will adhere tC
: the Constitution and the Union, as the best
} it may be the last hope Of popular freedom
and for all wrongs which may have been com
n ulilICu, VI CNIIS hhlNA lLos IHlolI VIZ osNh
: redress under the Constitution and within the
Union, by the peaceful but powerful agency
2 of the suffrage of free people.
Ninth, That this General Assembly halls
with pleasure and hope the manifestations Of
conservative sentiment among the people Of
the Northern States in their late elections, and
regards the same as the earnest of good
purpose upon their part to cooperate with
! Ill oil in Crivipu itv T.
the rights of every section, and maintaining
the Union and the Constitution as they were
ordained by the founders of the Republic.
Ttnth, That in the judgment ofthis General
/, Assembly, whenever it becomes practicable
to obtain a conl ention of all or of three
. fourthS of the States, such body should be
convened for the purpose of proposing such
amendments to the Federal Constitution as
, experience has proved TO be necessary tc
maintain that instrument in the spirit anG
fmeaning intended by its founders, and to pro-
c vide against future commissions and wars.
D Eleventh. That while this General Assembly
condemns and denounces the faults of The
administration and the eneroachments of the
: abolitionists, it does also most thoroughly
D condemn and denounce the heresy of seces-
sion as unwarranted by the Constitution and
destructive alike Of the security and perpe-
tuity of Government, and of the peace and
t liberty Of the people and it does hereby mos
soiemnly declare that the people Of this State
, are unalterably opposed to any division of the
: Union, and will persistcntly exert their whole
: influence and power to maintain and defend it
Iicelfh, That the laws of this State mus
be maintained and enforced; and that 1t il
= the duty of the constituted authorities OF the
State to see to it that by all constitutions
means this indispensable and shall beattained
Thirteenth. That copies of these resolutions
be forwarded TO the President of the United
States, to the Governors of the several States
and to our Senators and Representatives In
fCongress.