The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-08-25

out which the nation can have no author
| ity and no existence, seems to us at vari-
ance alike with the principles Of the Con
stitntion and with the public safety. 1t
IS alleged that in certain particulars the
Constitution Of the United States fails to
secure that absolute justice and impartial
equality which the principles of the Gov
ernment require, that it wasin this respect
The result OF compromises aud concessions
To which, however necessary when the
Constitution was formed, we are no longer
compelled to submit. and that now having
the power, through successful war, and a
just warrant for it's exercise in the hostile
conduct Of the insurgent section, the
actual government Of the United States
may impose its own conditions and make
the Constitution conform in all its provi.
sions to its own ideas Of equality and the
rights Of man.
Congress, at its last, session, proposed
amendments to the Constitution, cnlarg-
ing, in some very important particulars,
the authority of the General Govern
ment aud that Of the several States, and
reducing, by indirect disfranchiscmcnt,
the representation Of States in which
slavery formerly existed +; and it is claim
cd that these amendments may be made
valid as parts Of the original Constitution
without the concurrence Of the States
most seriously affected by them, or may
be imposed upon those States by three
fourths Of the remaining States as condi-
tions Of their re admission to representa-
ton in Congress, and in the electoral col
lcgc 1t is the unquestionablc right Of
the people of the United States to make
such changes in the Constitution as they,
upon due delberation, may deem ezpedi-
ent; but We insist that thcysball be made
| in the mode which the Constitution itself
points, in consistency with the letter and
spirit Of that instrument, aud with the
principles Of sclfgoycrnmcnt and Of
equal rights which lio at the basis Of our
| Republican Government. We deny the
right Of Congress 10 make these changes
in the fundamental law without the CON
currcncc Of three fourths Of all the States
including especially those to be the most
them npon States or people IA conditions
of representation, or Of admission to any
of the rights, duties or obligations which
,. belong under the Constitution 10 all the
States alike and with still greater en-
phasis do we deny the right Of any por-
ton of the States excluding the rest Of
the States fran any share iii their coun-
ellis, 10 propose or sanction changes in the
Constitution which may affect permanent
{ L. t.a9 s.1.
revise the legitimate action Of the several
members Of the common Union. Such
exercise II power Is simply usurpation.
just rs unwarraniablc when exercised by
the Northern States as it would be if cx-
crcised by the Southern States. and not
to be fortified or palliatcd by anything in
the past history by either Of those Oh
whom it Is attempted or Of those upon
whose rights and liberties it is TO affect.
II tnds no warrant in the Constitution
1t IS at war with the fundamental prineI-
Pies of our form Of Government. Ii tOsc-
dated IN one instance il becomes the pre-
cedcnt for future invasion Of liberty and
Constitutional rights, depending solely
upon tie will of the party in possession Of
poser, and thus leads, by direct necessary
sequence, to the most fatal aud intolcrablc
of all tyrannics: the tyranny of shifting
ani Irresponsible political factions. is
against this. the most formidable Of all
dangers which menace the stability of
free government. that the Constitution
was intended most carefully to prevent.
We demand strict aud steadfast adherence
to Its provisions. In this. and this alone,
can We iind basis of permanent union
and peace. But it is alleged in justiiica-
ton of the u@urpation which We condemn,
that the condition of the Southern States
and people is not such as renders safe
their rcadmission to share In the govern
mcnt of the country; that they are dis
loyal in sentiment aud purpose that nci-
thcr the honor. credit nor interests Of the
nation would be safe if they were admit
ted to share in its councils. We might
reply to this first, that We have no right
for such reasons, to deny any portion oi
the States or the People the rights ex.
pressIy conferred upon them by the Con,
stitution of the United States. Second
that 50 long rs their acts are those Of 10y
atty. so long as they conform in all THEN
public conduct to the requirements Of the
Constitution aud the laws, We have NJ
right to exact from them conformity ii
their sentiments and opinions to our own
Third, that VIC have no right to distrus
the purposes or the ability or disposition
of the people of the Union to protect anC
, defend under all contingencies and by
, whatever means that may be required fol
its honor and its welfare These would
in our judgment, be full and conclusive
, answers to the plea thus advanced for th'
, exclusion of the States from the Union
but VIC say further, that this plea rest
: upon complete misapprehenslon or al
unjust pc:Tersion of existing facts. w
do not hesitate to affirm that there is NJ
! section of the country where the Consti
: tuition and laws of the United States, fine
! more prompt and strict and obedience
, than in those States and among those peo
. pie who were lately in arms against them
or where there is less purpose or less dan
y ger Of any future attempt to overthrow
. their authority. 1t would seem to b
: both natural and inevitable, that in th
States and sections so recently swept b.
: : the whirlwind of war, where all ordinar,
) modes and methods Of industry have beel
broken up, and the bonds and influence
= that guarantee social order have been de
. stroyed, when thousands and tens of thou
r sands of the virulent spirits have beel
II ~. ~ =