Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-08-17

authority urder the Constitution to rcc0g-
nize its validity by acknowledging the indie
pendence Of such State. This left me
40 alternative, as the Chief Executive
officer, under the Constitution Of the
United States, but to collect the public
revenues and to protect the public prop
erty so far as this might be practicable
under existing laws. 1t belongs 10 Con
gress, exclusively, to repeal, to modify, or
TO enlarge their provisions, to meet exi-
gencles rs they may occur ! possess no
dispensing power.
certainly had no right to make ag-
gressive war upon any State, and L am
perfectly satisfied that the Constitution
has wisely withheld that power even from
Congress. But the right and the duty
to use the military force defensiyely
against those who resist the Federal Off
GERS III the execution of their legal func-
tons, and against those who assail the
property Of the Federal Government. is
clear and undeniable.
But the dangerous and hostile attitude
OF the States toward each other has al
ready far tuunscendcd and cast in the
shade the ordinary Executive duties al
ready provided for by law, and has as
sumed such vast and alarming proportions
as TO place the subject entirely above and
beyond executive control. The fact can
not be disguised that we are in the midst
Of great revolution In all its various
bearings, therefore, [ commend the qucs-
ton to Congress, rs the only human trib-
unai, under Providence, possessing the
power TO meet the existing emergency
To them, exclusively, belongs the power
to declare war, or TO authorize the en-
plovment Of military force in all cases
contemplated by the Constitution; and
they alone possess the power to remove
grievances which might lead 10 war, and
to secure peace and union to this distract
ed country. On them, and or them a
lone rests the responsibility.
The union is a sacred trust left by our
revolutionary fathers to their descend
ants and never did any other people in
heret so rich 4 legacy. It has rendered
Us prosperous in peace and triumphant in
war. The rational flag has Aoated in
glory OH every sea. Under It's shadow
American citizens have found protection
and respect in AL lands beneath the sun.
Il we descend 10 CONSIDERATIONS OF purely
material interest, when, in the history Of
all time, has 4 coutederacy been bound
together by such strong ties Of mutual
Interest Each portion Of it Is depend
ant on all, and all upon each portion, tor
prosperity and domestic security. free
trade throughout the whole supplies the
wants OF one portion from the productions
OF another, @;d ac"tter3 wealth every
where. Ihe great planting amt farming
States require the aid Of the coInmerc'al
and navigating States 10 send Their pro-
Guctlons to domestic ana loreIgh m''FketS'
and TO furnish the naval power l" render
their transportation secure against ar
hostile atlaeks-
Should the uhioh PERI. y III '''1 '',"S' %
the present excitement, we nave ;'iSst"S
had sad toTetaSie O! tlle universal Su'io'-
ing winch Wou!I result from rs "es'iUc-
t!on. 1he caiahl'y W""'u p5 severe j."
every portion OF me uhlo'', an" "ouIo oe
quite as great, 10 say lAe ie''S'' III 'Lle
Southern as well as IN the he-\oTtharn 2ti'te5,
he greatest aSSflE"''o' oi me - - anu
that winch Wo"I pace Us III ti,t mos
untavorabie hight before Tue "o''| ana
posteriy, - am ''''h'y con, i''N'''3 -
the secession NOV '.'',''I. ii,,S ',,,' t!
o"9e' upon - e 49,. -,,:,,;t,.
oou'h o' nv -. G.. =.
III SeNSt"! 81 '''o .,,1;.:aoI
the question DC tial,sle,''" I'o'li l'o''''l'''
;lSSSlI8Li-N ~ bliS ''''.'N'' ''Nf >>-'