The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-08-28
NUMBER 26

people of the United States to'make such
changes in the Constitution as they, upon
due deliberation, may deem expedient--
But We insist that they shall be made in
the mode which the Constitution itself
points out--in conformity with the letter
and the spirit of that instrument, and
with the principle of self-goyernment
and Of equal rights which lie at the ba-
sis of our republican institutions. We
deny the right Of Congress to make Theses
changes in the fundamental law without
the concurrence of three-fourths of al.
the States, including especially those to
be most seriously affected by them; or to
impose them upon States or people, as
Econditions of representation, or of ad.
mission to any Of the rights, duties or eb-
legations which belong under the Consti-
tuition to all the States alike. And With
still greater emphasis do We deny the
right of any portion Of the States exclu-
ding the rest of the Statesfrom any share
in their councils, to propose or sanction
changes in the Constitution which are to
affect permanently their political relations
and control or coerce the legitimate action
|of the several members of the common
Union. Such an exercise of power is
simply a usurpation; just as unwarranta-
bic when exercised BY Northern States as
lit would be if exercised by Southern, and
not to be fortified or palliated by any
thing in the pas. history either Of those
by whom it is attempted or of those upon
whose rights and liberties it is to take
effect. 1t finds no warrant in the Consti-.
tuition. It is at war with the tundamen-
tai principles Of our form of government.
IF tolerated in one instance, it becomes
the precedent for future inyasions Of lib
|erty and constitutional right dependent
solely upon the will of the party in pos
session of power, and thus leads, by d.
rect and necessary sequence, to the most
fatal and intolerabls of all tyrannies-the
tyranny Of shifting and irresponsible po-
|liticaI factions. 1t is against this, the
most formidable Of all dangers which me-
mace the stability of free government,
that the Constitution of the United
States was intended most carefully to
provide. We demand a strict and stead
fast adherence to its provisions. In this
and in this alone can we find basis Of
permanent Union and peace.
Fourth. But it is alleged Ia justifca.
ton of the usurpation which We condemn
that the condition of the Southern States
and people is not such as renders safe
their readmission to share in the gey-
ernmsnt Of the country; that they are
still disleyal in sentiment and purpose,
and that neither the.honor, the credit, nor
the interests Of the nation would be safe
if they were readmitted to share in its
councils. We might reply to this:
a. That We have no right, for such
reasons, to deny to any portion Of the
States or people rights expressly con-
ferred upon them by the Constitution Of
the Uuited States: g a
(2.) That go long as their acts are
those of loyalty-so long as they conform
in oil their public conduct to the require
ments Of the Constitution and laws-we
have no right to exact from them confor~
nifty in their sentiments and opinions to
our own.
(3) That-we have no right to distrust
the purpose or the ability Of the people
of the Union to protect and defend, under
all contingencies and by whatever means
may be required, its houor and its well
| fare.
| These would, in eur judgment, be full
and conclusive answers to the plea thus
advanced Cor tho exclusion of these States
from the Union. But We say, further,
that the plea rests upon complete mis-
apprehension or an unjust perversion Of
existing facts.
| We do not hesitate to affirm that there
is no section Of the country where tho
Constitution and laws Of the United States
End more prompt and entire obedience
than in those States and among those peo-
pie who were lately in arms against them,
or where there is less purpose or danger
of any future attempt to overthrow their
authority. 1t would seem to be beth nat
ural and inevitable that, in States and
sections SO recently swept by the uhirl-
wind Of war, where all the ordinary
modes and methods Of organized industry
have been broken up and the bonds and
influences that guarantee social order
have been destroyed-whers thousands
and tens of thousands Of turbulent spir-
Tits have been suddenly loosed from the
discipline Of war, and thrown without
resources or restraint upon disorganized
and chaotic society, and where the keen
, sense Of defeat is added to the overthrow
of ambition and hope, scenes Of violence
should delay for time the imperfect dis.
lcipline of law, and excite anew the fears
aud forebedings Of the patriotic and we'll.
, disposed. 1t is unquestienably true that
J, local disturbances Of this kind, accompa-
: MED BY more or less of violence, do still
occur. But they are confined entirely to
the cities or larger towns of the Southern
: States, where different races and interest.
} are brought most closely in contact
and where passions and resentments ar,
) always most easily fed and famed int,
+ outbreak; and even there they are quit,
: as much the fruit of untimely and hurt
full political agitation as of any hostilit,
$ on the part of the people to the authorit!
t of the national government.
Il But the concurrent testimony of thos,
Q best acquainted with the condition Of SO
n ciety and the state Of public sentiment il
$ the South, including that Of its rspresen
Q tatives in this Convention, establishes th