The weekly union record., 1864-08-13


EDITOR UNION REcoRD-One of the Reso.
luti0nS passed at the Baltimore Convention
declares for an amendment to the Constitution
forever prohibiting slavery in the United
States. Such amendment was passed at the
last session Of Congress by the Senate, but
failed in the House of Representatives for want
of two thirds vote. 1t is therefore not likely
to pass during the term OF this Congress.
From present indications it will be likely to
pass the next Congress. ln such case the
Constitution provides that the same shall be
ratified by three fourthS Of the several States.
Hence a question arises with the present
number Of States. or the number likely to be
in existence in 1863, how many viii be roqui
red to pass an amendment to the Constitution.
There are now thirty five States. and if Ne
braska, Colorado, and Nevada be admitted as
States, there will be thirty eight. The ques-
tion is: VIII three fourths of all the States
disoyal as well as loyal included, or only three
fourlhs of all the loyal States be requisite TO
pass an amendment to the Constitution? 1t
seems to be the opinion of some, that by the
acts of the rebellion and secession of the dis,
loyal States they are disfranchiSed as States
while Others contend th at the Constitution
conempates DO such thing as the humiliation
OF a State.
In reply to our correspondent, though We
We will say that it is our opinion that three
tourths Of all the States are required TO pass
an amendment to the Constitution, and that
for sach purpose no State, loyal or disloyal
can be omitted IN the number. If the disloyal
States should be recognized by the United
States as Independent States, the case would
be otherwise In that case three fourihs of
all the States remaining would be sufficient to
adopt an amendment TO the constitution. Bat
it may be said that the constitution does not
contemplate the anuihiaiou of State, and
the question may be pnt-what if the States
in rebellion should be such proportion as
that the number left should not form a consti-
tutonal quorum TO transact business. would
they have the right TO pass laws notwithstand
ing? We answer, We have so 10 speak two
constitutions, one is the general constitution
common to all nations, called the laws of Ma
tions and what is known as the Constitution
Of the United States. Selfpreservaton is the
first law OF nature, and is paramount 10 all
local laws.
No constitution Of any nation ever provided
for the dismcmbermeut ut of its sovereignty, vet
soyereignities have been dismembered notwlh-
standing, for the reason that the law of nature
above referred TO is paramount; in other words
it is the law Of necessity, or the law Of nature.
As long as one State is loyal it has the right
TO adhere 10 its old constitutional sovereignty,
and on the principle Of self preservation the
right to pass laws.
PANIC or FARMERS IN PExxsYLvAxIA-
The flight of Pennsylvania farmers before q
few scattered bodies Of rebels, who might have
been easily beaten by a reSolute company Of
armed men, has produced serious damage in
the State The IIarrisburgh Patriot says:
The excitement in Cumberland, York aud
other neighboriHg counties continues Oh the
increase, heightened by the reports continually
being received of rebel depredations on the
line Of the Northern Central Railway, and the
advance Dorthward Of q large body Of rebel
cavalry. Yesterday morning immense wagon
cavalcadeS. conducted by pauic stricken team
sters, and numerous drovCs OF horses. arrived
from the western side Of the river. completely
bockadiug Front street for several squares
north and south, and Market street from the
bridge TO the railroad Most OF the refugees
came from York county, some from Cumber-
land and Adams counties. and few from
Maryland The hegira continued throughout
The day, one cayalcade following another in
quick succession, and passing out the various
roads leading from the city We counted
thirty wagons loaded with hay Others were
filed with farming utensils. and not few with
household furniture. a gentleman who pass
ed some distance up the Cumberland valley
turnpike and down the river to 4 point near
New Cumberland csue back with report
that both roads were literally swarmed with
teams waiting an opportunity 10 cross the
river.
We leave our readers TO make their own
comments upon the imbecihty which has
brought about state OF affairs so disastrous
and Aumiliating."