Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-06-20
Still In the Union.

y
OF is, that we are still In the Union,
under the Constitution, Nothing but
successful revolution can ever sever
this Republic. This has bcen tried by
the most sanguinary war which his
tory records, and failed. The stars of
all the States of this Union were car
ried on our National flags through
the smoke of every battlefield, and
they are still here. Congress cannot
legislatc single star from our flag.
The Union was designed to be per-
pctual, and when the Constitution
was framed, it was submitted to the
several States for ratification, with
the understanding that it was to be
pcrpetual,-Sevcral of the States-at
least two Of them-considered 1T
for three or four years before rcdcring
in their adhesion to its adoption. IL
then became the fundamental law OF
the land, until altered in the manner
prescribed within its articles. That
instrument has been altered since the
organization of the late great rcbellion;
and several of the States which had
been in hostility, ratified the amend
ments. Had they failed to do SO, there
would not have been constitutional
two-thirds ma iority necessary for their
ratification. The amendment abolish
ed slavery throughout our whole land.
For that purpose then, those States
were recognized by the present Con-
grcss as organized sisters 0! the Union.
If competent for that act they are
qualified for all other purposes-to
elect Senator's and Representatives to
the Legislative councils of the govern
ment Notwithstanding this, Congress
still presist in refusing to admit them.
A State cannot cease to be State,
either voluntarily, by force of arms,
or by action of Congress. Once in
the Union. 1t is murcipal copora-
ton. IL is incapable of committing
treason. True, the inhabitants thereof
may do so but the moment they are
purged thercfrom, either by conviction
or executive clcmcncy, the State gov
crnment must be resumed.
Congress passed joint resolution
ut the commencement of hostilitics, in
substance, that we had no intention 10
interfere with the domestic institu-
tons and laws of the South, in sending
our army against them but to COM
; pei them to obey the Constitution and
laws Of the land. To this effect were
, the proclamations of every General
, Departments ,as they entered the South
crn States Soldiers were compelled
to respect the property of all respecta-
bic citizens, and not TO interfere with
that of known rebels, unless in ODE di-
; cnce to the command of their superior
officers
Slavery was Of necessity abolished
, wherever our army went. The army
broke up slavery.
, Congress Notwithstanding these facts,
:. presists in asserting that the entire
Governmcnt--arc out of the Union.
! Why do they soy Because tho ad-
!. mission Of twenty-five Senators, and
|, vast number of Representatives from
! those States would destroy their pros.
poets of power. They arc pipe. laying
a for the next Presidency. They wish
to deprive the South of Representa-
tives in the next electoral College,
and thus perpctuated tyrannical pow
. or. They would pcrpetuate consti
tutional wrong not only TO the South
but to the liberties of the entire coun
try, that they may hold hfiicial posi-
;, tions and dictate to the President.
, Andrew Johnson upholds the con.
stitution and the law. lie is Presidcn,
! of the whole pcople-South as well as
North, lie asks Congress to admit
: representation from loyal men of the
: South, and for this he is abused and
!. vi,lifcd-called traitor, and every
. obstruction thrown against the consti
I, tutional exercise of his office which is
in the power Of an unscruplous and
,f dictatorial Congress to inven..-Pitts
q burg Republic.
n SAD AccIDEST Mr. James Walker
= foreman on tho Snow Shoe company't