The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-09-05
AN ADDRESS
, TEE PEOPLE o. rHs UNITED STATES

(Conciuu0uD
III. The unauestionable right or the pc o.
n, of the United States 10 make such
changes 10 the Constitution As they. upon
Aue deliberation. may deem exPedlent.
But Ne insist that they shall be made IN the
mode which The Constitution itself points
ou,-in conformity with the letter and the
sLirit Of that instrument, and with the Prin.
ciples OF self-government and OF equal
,;rh,s which lie at the basis OF our republi-
can institutions. We deny the right OF
Congress 10 make these changes ia the fun
dausntai Law without the concurrence OF
three. .fourths Of all the States. including
especially those TO be most seriously af-
fectsd By them; or TO impose them upon
States or people. as conditions OF repre-
sentation, or Of admission TO the rights, do.
sies Of obligations which belong uader the
Constitution 10 all the States alike. And
with still greater emphasis DO We deny the
r,rht el any portion Of the States excluding
the rest Of the States from any share 10
their councils. 10 propose or sanction
changes 10 the Constitution which are to
s6eet permanently their political relations
.And control or coeree the legitimate action
.f the several menbers Of the common Un-
iss. Such a. exercise Of power is simply
40 sssrpation, just a. warsntsble when sr.
sreised by Norihern States n 4 would be
,feIercised By Southern, snd not 70 Be tor.
,ised or psllisted By anything in the pas,
his,sry, either Of those By whom II 10 at.
tempted Or Of those upon whose rights and
lberiiesii is 10 take effect. IL finds no war;
rsntin the Constitution. Ii is Al war with
the fundamental princi pies Of our form ol
:. s.vernment. If tolerated 10 one instance.
II becomes the precedent for future inva.
sisos &c liberty and constitutional right de.
psnden: solely upon the will OF the party
Ia possession Of power. and thus leads. BY
direct and necesssey sequence. 70 the mos
fatal and iatolerable Of oil tyrannies-ths
tyrsuny of shifting aud Irresponsible poiit,
cal factions. II Is against this. the mos
formidable Of all the dangers which meaac,
The stability Of free government, that IN
Constitution Of the United States sas IN
tended most carefully 10 opfoside. We de
msnd q strict and steadlast adherence 10 u
provisions. ln this, and ~ this slonc, cal
90 find q basis Of permanent Union am
peace.
Fourth. But il 10 alleged. 10 Justification
or the usurpaiion which We condemn, tina
the condition OF the Southern States an
people is not such IS renders sale ,hel
rssdmission 10 . share 10 The gosern,nen
sf the country; that they are still dlslcys
10 sentiment aud purpose. and that nsIihe
the honor, the credit nor the interests !
the nation would be safe i they were re
sdmitted 10 share in its councils. w
might reply to this:
l. That we have no right. for such res
sons, 70 deny totany portion Of the State
or people rights expressly conferred upo
tAem By the Constitution Of the Unite
States.
.. That 80 long az their acts are those
loyally-so long as they confirm IN a
their public conduct TO The requirement
sfthe Constitution and lsws-we have .
right 10 exact IRON them conformity
their sentiments and opinions 10 our OWN
5. Thst we have no right % dIstTu
the purposes or the ability Of the peep
Of the Union 10 prstect and defend. uLd,
aN contingencies Anu w Wnatrsff meal
&iy be required. It's honor and its ~e
fare.
These ~oaii. in our judgment. be I,
and conclusive answers 10 the plea I'll,
advanced for the exclusion of these Stat
from the Onion. But We say Further. "a
this plea rests upon complete mlsappr
hsnsion or 40 unjust prsersion ofeIistil
isets.
We do not hesitate 10 affirm. that thcl
10 40 section Of The country where the Go
stitution and laws Of the United States tl
nore prompt and entire obedience thi
~ those States. and among those peop
sho we're lately in arms against them /;
where there 10 less purpoae er less daag