The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-07

withstandiDg" Certainly the Govern
eminent of the United States is limited
Government, and so is every State Gov
eminent limited Government. With
us this idea of limitation speaks through
every form of Administration, Federal,
State and Municipal aud rests on the
great distinguishing principle of the re-
cognition OF the rights of mar
The ancient Republics absorbed author
ity By the Constitution of the United
States the perpetuity of the Constitution
brings with it the perpetuity of the States
Their mutual relation makes US what we
are and in our political system their
connection is indisso uble. The whole
cannot exist without the parts, nor parts
without the whole. So long as the Con-
stitution endures, the States will endure.
The American system rests on the asser-
ton of the equal rights of every man to
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
to freedom OF conscience, to the culture
and exercise of his own faculties. As a
consequence, the State Government is
limited as to the General Government in
the interest of union, as to the individual
citizen in the interests of freedom. States
with proper limitation of power are es-
sential to the existence of the Consti
tuition of the United States. At the very
commencement when we assumed a
place among the powers of the earth. the
Declaration OF Independence was adopted
by States SO w ere all the articles of
Confederation and when the people OF
the United States ordained and estab-
llshed the Constitution, it was the assent
of the States, one by one, which gave it
vitality. In the event of any amend
ment TO the Constitution, the proposition
Of Congress need the confirmation OF
States. Without States one great branch
of the Legislative Government would be
wanting, and il we look beyond the letter
OF the Constitution to the character of
our country, its capacity for compre-
hendlDg within its jurisdiction an almost
continental empire Is due 10 the system
of States. The best security for the per-
petual existence of the States is the su-
preme authority OF the Constitution of
the United States. The perpetuity OF
the Constitution brings with it the per>
petuIty of the States. Their mutual re-
latIon makes us what we are, and in our
political system their connection is in
dlssoIuble. The whole cannot exist
without the parts nor the parts without
the whole. So long as the Constitution
OF the United States endures the States
will endure. The destruction OF one is
the destruction OF the oLher. The press
ervation of the one is the preservation OF
the other.
| have thus explained my Vows of the
mutual relations OF the ConsututlOn and
the States, because they unfold the prin
cIples on which | have sought TO solve
the monstrOus questions and overcome
the appalling difficulties that met me cat
the commencement OF. my administra-
ton. 1t has been my steadfast object TO
escape from The sway of momentary
passion and divine healing policy from
the fundamental and unchauglng princl-
pies of the Constitution. | found the
States suffering from the effects OF a
civil war. Resistance TO the General Gov
appeared to have exhausted itself. The
United States had recovered possession
of their forts and arsenals, and their ar
mics were in the occupation OF every
State WHICH had attempted to seeede.-
Whether the territory within the limits
OF these States should be held as con-
ouered territory, under military authors
w, emanating from the President as the
head of the army, was the first question
which presented itself for decision. Now,
military Governments, established for an
indefinite period, would have offered nc
securely for the early suppression OF the
disconnected, and would have divided
the people into the yanquishers and the
yanouished-would have enVenomeo
hatred, rather than restored affection, ano
would have entalled an incalcuIable and
exhausting expense.
| Peaceful emigration to and from thai
portion of that country, is one of the
best means that can be thought OF fol
the restoration of harmony, and that emf
grafton would have been prevented, fol
what emigrant from abroad, what indus
trious citlzen at home, would place HIM
self willingly under military ruler Thu
chief persons who would have followed
in the train of the army, would have
been dependent on the General Govern
ment, or men who expected profit iron
the miseries of their erriDg fellow citizens
The powers of patronage and rule which
would have been exercised under tn
Presidents over vast and populous ant
naturally wealthy region, are create
than, unless under extreme necessity,
should be willing to trust any one man.
They are such as, tor myself, / coul
never, unless under an occasion of grea
emergency, consent TO exercise. Til
| use Va SNSA POWCASS II NOhAn0N
through a period OF years, would hav
endangered the purely of the genera
. Administration and the liberties of tn
States which remained loyal; besides til
policy of military rule over a conquere
territory, would have implied that th
States, whose inhabitants may hay
taken part in the rebellion, had by th
act of those inhabitants, ceased to exist
: but the true theory is, that all pretende
J acts of secession were from the beginnin
null and void.
3 The States cannot commit treason NJ
t can the individual who may have con
a mitted treason any more than they max
' valid treaties or engage in lawful con
] merce with any foreign power. tn
5 States undertaking to secede place
0 themselves in q condition where the
e vitality was impaired, but not extinguisl
{ ed-their functions extended, but n,
o destroyed--but if any State neglects
t refuses to perform its Office, there is mo
e need that the General Government shou
q maintain all its authority, and as soon
a practicable. resume the exercise of all
3 functions. On this principle have az
: ed, and have gradually and quietly ar
,f by almost lmperceptible steps sought
e restore the rlghtful energy of the Gen
i raj Government and of the States.
n that and Provisional Governors have be.
b appointed for the States, conyentio
d called. Governors elected, Legislature
le sembled. and senators and represent
3 rou Ga