The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-07-06
NO s.

ments to be tfplenary; supreme, unlimit-
ed"-"subject only to revision by the
people of the whole United States" The
rights of the people of the State are MOTH
ing. Congress first decides, the people OF
the whole Union revise. My own State
of Ohio is liable at any moment to be
called in question for her Constitution
She does not permit negroes to vote. IF
this doctrine be true, Congress may de-
eide this exclusion is anti4republican, and
by force Of arms abrogate that Constitu.
ton and set up another permitting me-,
groes to vote. From that decision of the
Congress there is no appeal to the people
of Ohio, but only to the people of Massao
chusetts, and New York, and Wisconsin,
at the election of Representatives; and if
a majority cannot be elected to reverse
the decision, the people of Ohio must sub
NIT. Woe be to the day when this doc
trine shall be established, for from its
centralized despotism We will appeal to
the sword
Sir, the rights of the States were the j
foundation corner of the Confederation. {
The Constitution recognized them, main
tanned them, provided for their perpetua.
ton. Our fathers fought for them, the
safeguard of our liberties, they have prov
ed SO. They have reconciled the freedom
of the individual with increase of our lib
critics. This bill, the ayowed doctrine of
Its supporters, sweeps them instantly away.
1t substitutes despotism for self govern.
ment; despotism the more severe because
vested in numerous Congress elected by
a people who may net feel the exercise of
its power. 1t subverts the Government,
destroys the Confederation and erects
tyranny on the ruins of republican gov
ernment. 1t creates unity-it destroys
liberty it maintains integrity of terrific
ry, but destroys the rights of the citizen.
Sir, if this be the alternative of seces-
sion, should prefer that secession should
succeed. I should prefer to have the
Union dissolved, the Confederate States
recognized nay, more, should prefer
that secession should go on if need be,
until each State resumes its oomplete in
dependence. I should prefer thirty -four
republics to one despotism. From such
republics, while might fear discord and
wars, 1 would enjoy individual liberty,
and hope for reunion on the true princi-
/ pies of confederation. From one strong
-oentFaliHed- d1sPe4ien1,T UyerrfdfuS the
rights of the people, overriding the rights
OF the States, l can see no escape except
in apathetic contentment with slavery, or
the oft repeated, often failing, always
bloody struggles of despairing hope. I
would rather live a free citizen of re-
public no larger than my native county
of Hamilton, than be the subject of
more splendid empire than Cesar in his
proudest triumphs ever ruled, or Napo-
leon in his loftiest fights ever conceived.
Sir, 1 cling to the hope that these evils
may yet be averted. While would pre-
fer separation to the unity which this bill
would create, I would fain hope that we
may not be compelled to accept either al
tentative. IF before it is too late the
people will see the designs of those
now in power, and will replace them with
men who do not wish revolution, but do
heartily wish a restoration of the Union,
men who will seek by peace the results
which war has rendered we'll nigh impoa-
sible; who will try to attain by concilia-
| tion the ends which never can be achiev-
ed By subjugation who will seek in con-
sent the foundation of the rights of Gov
ernment; in States rights the guarantees
of the liberty of the citizen; in the Con-
stitution the measure of the power of the
| Government and the extent of the sur
render of perfect freedom imposed by the
citizen upon himself, we may hope that
we may again have Union and liberty;
that interest which alone binds together
nations occupying territory like our
own, will assert its power and heal the
wounds of war, and bring us again into
the bonds Of fraternal peace. But if they
will not now see those designs and pre-
vent them. however long and bloody and
desolating this war, it will end! pre-
dict it now while the thunders of battle
ring in our ears and the exultant shouts
of victory rise upon tho air-in recogni-
tion Of the Confederacy, in final separa-
ton, and in longer, bloodier, and more
desolating war on the part of our people
of your constituents, Sir, and mine-to
throw off the despotism which ere then
will have been firmly established over
them. ;.f5