The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-08-29


Constitution and with the public safety. |
Way to Amend the Constitution.
Third. But it is alleged that in certain
particulars the Constitution Of the United
States fails to secure the absolute justice
and impartial equality which the princi.
Piles Of our Government require that it
was in this respect the result of compro-
misses and 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 just warrant,
for its exercise in the hostile conduct of
the insurgent section, the actual Govern
ment Of the United States may impose
its own conditions, and make the Consti.
tuition conform in all its provisions to its
own ideas Of equality and the rights Of
man. Congress, at its last session, pro-
posed amendments to the Constitution,
enlargisg in some very important parti-
culars the authority Of the General Gov
ernment over that of the several States,
and reducing, by indirect disfranchise
ment, the representative power Of the
States in which slavery formerly existed;
and it is claimed that these amendments
may be made valid as parts of the origi.
nal Constitution without the concurrence
of the States to be most seriously affect
ed by them, or may be imposed upon
these States by three-fourths Of she re-
naming States, as conditions Of their re-
admission to representation in Congress
and in the Electoral Collegs.
Full Concurrence fthe States Requisite
1t is the unqucstionablc right Of the
people Of the United States to make such
changes in the Constitution as they, up
on 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 principles Of self government
and of equal rights, which lie at the basis
of our republican institutions. We deny
the right of Congress to make these
changes in the fundamental law without
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 representation, or Of admis
sion to any Of the rights, duties, or obliga.
tions which belong, under the Constitution,
to all the States alike. And with still
greater emphasis do we deny the right Of
any portion of the States including 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 coerce the legitimate action of
the several members Of the common Un.
ion. Such an exercise Of power is simply
an usurpation, just as warrantablc when
exercised by Norteern States as it would
be if exercised by Southern, and not TO
be fortified or palliated by any thing in
the past 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 Constitution.
1t is at war with the fundamental priDsi,
pies of our form Of government. If ttl.
Grated in one instance, it becomes the
precedent for future invasions Of liberty
and constitutional right, dependeutsolely
upon the will of the party in possession
of power, and thus leads, by direct and
necessary sequence, to the most fatal and
intoleiable Of all tyranies-the tyranny o.
shifting aud irresponsible factions. Itia
against this, the most formidable CT oil
the dangers which menace the stability oi
free government, that the Constitution OIL
the United States was intended most care
fully to provide. We demand Otriot aut
} steadfast adherence to its provisions. II
this, and in this alone, can We find basi
! of permanent Union and peace.
Loyalty Of the South Unquestioned.
FomM-But it is alleged, in justifCa
ton Of the ursurpqlion which we condemn
{ that the condition of the Southern State
r and the people is not such as renders saf'
their rcadmission to a share in the Gov
5 ernment Of the country; that they ar
0 still disloyal 10 sentiment and purpose
G and that neither the honor, the credit no
the interests of the nation would be sat
Q if they were readmitted to share in it
!. councils, We might reply to this:
8 |. That we have no right, for sucl
reasons, to deny to any portion or th
i. States or people rights expressly conlei
. rcd upon ,hem by the Constitution ofth
United States.
4 Q. That so long us their acts arc thos
i of loyalty-so long as these conform in al
1 their public conduct to tho requirement
8 Of the Constitution aud laws-we have q
o right to exact from them conformity il
their sentiments and opinions to ou
n Town. e.. 1--7g' G 'oia tr e'H
. 8. That We hove no right to distrus
b the purpose or the ability Of the people
|. the Union to protect and defend, unde
all contingencies and by whatever mean
n may be required, its honor and its weI
Il fare. e.rovgo) eiig'1heliil u ,o.e9 .as
r These would, in our judgement, DO fu'
n and CONCLUSIVE answers to the plea thu
Q adtanccd fot the exclusion Of these State
i from the Union. But we say further tina
C this plea rests upon complete misappr'
y henson, or an unjust preyersion ofsxis
y ing facts"
y ''' ''a' Us PcaceaJleness.
N We do not hesitate to affirm that thel
le Is no section Of the country where u
4. Constitution and laws Of the Unite
a cl.... G,da 4. mora orou, nj and anti