Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-08-29
NEW SERIES-VOL. VH.-NO. 7.

4
rs conditions of their readmission TO
representation in Congress and in the
Electoral College.
FULL CONCURRENCE OF THE STATES RE-
QUIsITE.
1t is the unquestionable right Of the
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 tho ,.,oda urhiol, tho
Constitution itself points out, in con-
formity with the letter and the spirit
OF that instrument, and with the prin-
ciples of government and Of equal
rights which lie at the basis of our
republican institutions. We derry the
right Of Congress to make these
changes in the fundamental law, with
out the concurrence Of three-fourths
of all the States, including especially
those to be most seriously affected by
them; or to impose them upon States
or people, as conditions of representa-
tion, or Of admission to any Of the
rights, duties or obligations which be-
long under the Constitution to all tho
States alike. And with still greater
emphasis do we deny the right ofany
portion of the States, excluding the
rest of the States from any share in
their councils, to propose or sanction
changes in the Constitution which are
to affect permanently their political
relations and. control or eoerce the
legitimate action Of the several mem
bers of the common Union.
Such an exercise Of power is simply
usurpation, just as unwarrantablc
when exercised by Northern States
as it would be if exercised by South
lern. and not to be fortified or palliated
by anything in the past history either
OF those by whom it is attempted or
of those upon whose rights and liber-
ties it is to take effect. 1t finds no
warrant in the Constitution. 1t is at
war with the fundamental principles
of our form of government If toler-
ated in one instance, it becomes the
precedent for future invasions Of liber-
tv and constitutional right dependent
solely nPon tho viii Of tho party iH
|, possession Of power, and thus leads,
by direct and necessary sequence, to
the most fatal and intolerable of all
tyrannies-the tyranny Of shifting,
. and irresponsible political factions. 1t
is against this, the most formidable
of all the dangers (which menace the
, stability Of free government that the
Constitution of the United States was
: intended most carefully to provide.
! We demand strict and steadfast ad-
5 herence to its provisions. In this,
/ and in this alone, can we find basis
: of permanent Union and peace
t LOYALTY OF THE SOUTH UNQUEsTIoNED.
e Fourth But it is alleged, in iustifi-
: cation of the usurpation which we con-
denim, that the condition OF the South
t ern States and people is not such as
9 render safe their readmission to a
! share in the government of the coun-
4 try; lhat they are still disloyal in
! sentiment and purpose, and that nei-
/ ther the honor, credit, nor the inter
/ ests of the nation would be safe If they
were readmitted toa share inits eoun-
n ellis We might reply TO this
"A l. That we have no right, for such
c reasons, to deny TO any portion Of the
It States or people rights expressly con-
l. ferrcd upon them by the Constitution
4 of the United States.
e ,. That so long as their acts arc
{ those Of loyalty--so long as they con
N form in all their public conduct to tho
4 requirements Of the Constitution and
ri ilaws-we have no right to exact from
T. them conformity in their sentiments
e aud opinions TO our own.
A. 3. That we have no right to distrust
the purpose or the ability Of the poo-
pie of the Union to oprotect and defend
in under all contingencies, and by what
of ever means may be required, its honor
At and its welfare.
" These would, in our Judgment, be
n full and conclusive answers to the plea
g. thus advanced for the exclusion OF
ID these States from the Union. But We
IS say further, that this plea rests upon
n complete misapprchension or an IN
b. Just pewersion OF existing facts.
er ITS pEAcEABLENEss.
lr- We do not hesitate TO affirm, that
n there is no section of the country
.t- where the Constitution and laws o
.es the United States find a moro promp
nd and entire obedience than in thos'
all States, and among those people VIII
al were lately in arms against them, o
ess where there is less purpose or DANCE
i'd of any future attempt TO overthrow
nc their authority. 1t would seem to b
,rs both natural and inevitable that, j
rn. States and sections so recently sweI
es. by the whirlwind of war, where a
Sc the ordinary modes and metirods I
.he organized industry have been broke
ox- up, and the bonds and influences tbs
csc guarantee social order have been d