Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-05-24
AssauI,s upon the Constltu,iou


The constitution of this poor unfortunate
country for the past three years has been
assailed in manner in which no fupda-
mental law ola nation was ever assaulted
before. It's assailants have been OF two
selasses, the secessionists of the South who
have taken up arms and boldly defed it's
provisions, and the Abulitionists Of the.
North. who while protesting to veperate
and obey IT have violated it when ever it
suited their radical views or their merce-
nary convenience.
As the constitution is the life Of the ma
tion-the fundame ntal regulation that de-
fines the manner in which the public au-
thority is to be executed, how and By
whom the people are 20 be govern ed, and
what are tie rights and privileges of the
peOyls, and the duties Of the rulers-those
who assail it or violate It's provisions are
the enemies Of the nation.
The secessionists are at war open
ly against the constitution aud must be re-
sisted with whatever means can be COM
manded. There is DO mistaking their
position and hence those who are loyal to-
the constitution are in favor Of compelling
them to suhmit to it's teaching at whatever
hazard. The Contest may be long and
bloody one, But there is 90 other alterua-
tive--it must be continued until the su-
premacy of the constitution is estaLl sh-
! ed.
But while all truly loyal men unite in
the effort to resist the opened assaults upon
the constitution they should remember the
enemies to whom We alluded at the begin-
ing of this article, as assailing the c0nsti-
tuition by Innovations, perversious and
open violations, while protesting to obey
it, are equally If not more dangerous than
those who have taken up arms against it.
.Yattrll, in his law of nations, describes
this class of enemies, when be remarks
that the constitution and laws of State
are the bosis of public tranquility, the
6rmest support Of political authority, and
security For the liberty OF the citizen
But this constitution is vain phantom,
and the best laws are useless. il they be
not religiously observed. The nation,
then, ought to watch very attentively in
order to render them equally respected by
those who govern AMI the people destined
to obey. lie further remarks that it is a
uncommon thing to see the laws and con-
stitution of State openly aid boldly op.
posed. 1t is against the silent and gradu-
al attacks that nation ought to be par
ricuiarly on its guard. And adds that
! people are apt to overlook the Innovations
aud changes that iGsensibly happen by a
long train Of steps that are but slightly
marked, and that it would be rendering
nations an important service, to show from
history how many nations have thus en-
tirely changed their nature and lost their
original constitution.
Now this is precisely the case With the
Esrty that rules our nation at prescott
Aware that sudden resolutions strike the
imaginations Of men, they have enlisted in
he same design of the southern secession
ists-the overthrow Of the constitution
but choOse rather tolaccomrl;sh their ob.
ject by secret springs and gradual innova-
tions rather than by making an open at
tack. And so gradually and aHidly and
successfully have they persevered in their
pernicious designs during the three years
that they have controlled PGbiic affairs,
that they have nearly succeeded in chang
ing the nature Of cur nation from nation
of free white men 30 despotism in which
the black and whites are all OR le5el.
The mission of the Democratic and con
ssrvatiVe party is to resist the opponents
of the constitution of whatever character.
And while they are lighting to restore the
supremacy of the constitution ana laws in
the southern states, they will endeBvor TO
repress with equal vigOr and vigilance the
perhduuss abuse of power by those in al.
thOrity, by elccting men to administer our
laws and constitution who will not violate
them, nor permit.their violation by 9TH
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