The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-04-02

which rests upon the fact that the glorious
work Of the people was for ''the sake OF al
mankind" Let it bring afresh to our
minds that important question propoanded
"Can the liberties Of nation be thought
secure when we have removed their only
Arm basis, q conviction in the minds OF the
people that these liberties are the gift Of
God; that they are not to be violated but
with His wrath?"
Has not slavery denied that this great
work of the people was intended for the
..safetv of all mankind" and brought upon
rs the just chastisement OF Goo, VINO IN
tended "these liberties for all Of HIS crea'
lures? What are the thunders of this wal
| but the voice of God calling upon this na-
ton to return from the evil paths, made
rough b. errors and misfOrtunes, blunders
and crimes, made slippery by the warm,
smoking blood Of our brothers and friends,
to the grand highway Of national thrift,
prosperity, happiness, glory, and peace, IN
which He planted the feet of the fathers!
Can not we hear amid the wild rushing
roar of this war storm the voice OF him
who rides upon the winds and rules the
tempest saying untO US, 'You can not nave
peace until you secure liberty to all VINO
are subject to your laws?" Sir. this decIa'
ration must be needed. It has been whis-
pered into the ears of this nation since hrst
We pronounced life, liberty, and the pur-
suit OF happiness to be the inalienable
| rights of ali men, and now it rolls in upon
US like the voice of the ocean, rendering
peace or war tn our election. Which shall
we elect? Shall it be- peace? How can il
be peace while liberty aud slavery dweli
together in our midst? These are enemies.
These are ideas which cannot dwell toge-
Their in harmony. How can we have peace?
Let slavery die. Let its death be written
in our Constitution. let the Constitution
proclaim liberty throughout the land TO
all the inhabitants thereof" This is the
| way to peace-6rm, enduring peace, en-
bracing all mankind, and reaching to the
most distant generations. In this way only
can we secure liberty to ourselves and our
posterity.
But, sir, that slavery has not contented
itself with manifesting its incompatibility
with our free Government by opposing the
great objects for securing which the people
ordained and established the Constitution.
It has confronted the Constitution itself,
and prevented the enforcement OF its most
vital provisions. Section two of article six
Of the Constitution says:
This Constitution, and the laws of the
United States which shall be made in pur-
suance thereof, and all treaties made, or
which shall:sbe made, under the authority
Of the United states, shall be the supreme
law Of the land and the judges in every
State shall be bound thereby, anything in
the constitution or laws of any State to the
contrary notwithstanding"
OF the many provisions Of the Constitu-
ton devised for the protection OF the unity
of the nation, this one stands first in iui-
In hon IF NysNv
would be as weak as an invalid between
whom and the grave but . breath inter-
venes. The supremacy Of the Constitution,
the laws and treaties of the United States,
are necessary to our existence rs q nAtien.
Our unity can be preserved in no other
way. This was the belief Of those who or
dained the Constitution, and cur expsri-
ence accords Herewith. But, sir, slavery
planted itself in opposition to this provi-
sion of the Constitution, and declared chat
it should not be enforced. Do you ask for
proof? We need not 60 far to find it,
Turn to the Constitution and take as q
guide the words:
1.-THE citizens Of each State shall be emit
tied to all the privileges and immunities Of
To what extent has this been regarded
as the supreme law Of the land in States
where slavery controlled legislation, pre-
sided in the courts, directed the Execu-
tives, and commanded the mob? It IL .
provision of most vital importance to every
citizen. We would not be nation Of
EQUALS without it. It is the peerage title OF
our people. How has i, been observed?
What has been the conduct of slavery to-
ward it? Let us turn again to the Consti-
tuition for practical aid in the solution of
these questions. In the first article Of the
Amendments to the Constitution we find
this language:
Congress- shall make no law respecting
an establishment Of religion, or prohibit
ing the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom Of speech, or OF the press; or
the right Of the people peaceably to assem-
BILE, aud to petition the Government for q
redress of grievances ia
The great rights here enumerated were
regarded by the people as too sacred aud
too essential t0 the preservation Of their
liberties to be trusted with no firmer de.
Tense than the rule thar Congress can ex-
ercise no power which is not delegated to
it, Around this negative protection was
erected the positive barrier of absolute
prohibition. Freedom offeligious opinion,
freedom OF speech and press, and the right
Of assemblage for the purpose Of petition
belong 70 every American citizen, high or
low, rich or poor, wherever he may be
within the Jurisdiction Of the Unites States.
With these rights no State may interfere
without breach Of the bond which hols3a
tho Union together. how have these rights
essential to liberty been respected in those
sections otsthe Union where slavery held
tue reigns Of local authority and directed
the Thoughts, prejudices, and passions Of
the people? The bitter. cruel. relentless
prosecutions ofthe Methodists in the South.
almost - void Of pity a. those which were
visited upon the Huguenots ia France. tell tI
how utterly slavery disregards the rinht to
free exercise of religion. No religion
which recognizes Gods eternal attribute
Of justice and breathes that spirit Of love
which applies 70 NIL men the sublime con-.
mandment, Whatsoever ye would that
men should do unto you, do We even 50 ,' Is
them can ever@bs allowed tree exercise
where slavery curses men and deAes cd.
No religious denomination can 6o1rah Tnr
even pc tolerated where slavery rules with.
out guaranteeing the choicest Jewels os its
ia,tn !, into the keeping Of that infdel power
Religion, consisting in the preforniaI,c . !
Of All known duties TO God and our fellow