The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1866-08-23

! right TO withdraw from the Union, or to
exclude. through their action in Cougtess
or otherwise, any State or States from the
union. The Union Of these States is per-
petual.
6. Such amendments to the Constitution
of the United States may be made by the
people thereof as may be deemed expedi>
ent, bat only in the mode pointed out by
enmdments, whether by Congress or by s
convection, and in ratifying same, the all the
States of the Union have an equal and az
indeleasible right to ayoice and vote there
in
Z. Slavery is abolished, and foreve p-o>
hibitcd, aud there is neither desirer nor
purpose on the part Of TIE southern States
that it should ever be re>establisked on
their soil, or within the jurisdiction Of the
United States and the enfranchised
slaves in al the States of he Union should
receive, in common with all their inhabi>
tants, equal protection in every right Of
person and property.
s. While we regard as utterly invalid
and never to be assumed or made of bind
ing force. any obligation incurred or un-
dertaken in making var against the United
States. We hold the debt Of the nation to
be sacred and inviolable, and we proclaim
cur purpose in discharging this, as in per-
forming al other national obligations, to
maintain unimpaired srd unimpeached,
the honor and the faith of the republic
8. Ii is the duty of the national govern
ment 10 recognize the services of ths
federal soldiers and sailors in the contest
just closed by meeting promptly and fully
all their just and rightful claims for the
services they have rendered the nation,
and by extending to those of them who
have survived, and ID the widows and Or
phans Of those who have fallen, the most
generous and considerate care.
TO- In Andrew johnson, President Of
the United States, who, in his great office,
has proved steadfast in his devotion to the
constitution, the laws, and interests of his
country, unmoved by prosecutions and un-
deserved reproach, having faith immeas>
urable in the people and in the principles
of the government we recognize chief
magistrate worthy of the nation and equal
to the great crisis upon which his lot is
cast, and we tender to him, in the dischsr-
ges Of his high aud responsible duties, our
profound respect, and the assurance of our
cordial and sincere support.
THE ADDRESS
Demands the universal acknowledge
ment of the legitimate consequences of the
war, which are the perpetual maintenance
, of the Union aud the destruction Of slaves
, ry It asserts next, that the government
acquired no new right or powers by the
W. that it acted only on the defensive.
Congress had passed a resolution that when
the war closed, all the power and dignity
of the States should remain unimpaired
and intact. The power assumed by the
government in the States since the war
! closed, was in violation Of the Constitution
The Constitution declares that no State
shall, without its own consent, be deprived
of its equal representation in the Senate
The action Of Congress in denying repre-
sentation to the southern States appears
to be as great an effort to overthrow the
2 government as was that Of armed rebellion
, If one Congress can exclude State on
one pretext, another Congress may exclude
other States or another. There was no
warrant for this in the Constitution. Not
, only cannot representatives be excluded
, from Congress. but no State, without its
own consent, can be deprived Of equal
representation in the Senate, even by an
amendment of the Constitution. The on
ly prctext for the act of Congress is that
the States lately in rebellion have lost
their right to representation, which the
slx-
But it is principal that no right can be
forfeited, nor can the right or duty of
: State to be represented in Congress be
impaired by the rebellion, only Its enjoy
ment Of that privilege can be obstructed.
The address further asserts that the
; position Of Congress in the matter is not
warranted by the Constitution, and is not
,, compatible with the public safety. 1t is
also argued that three7iourths of the loyal
States cannot change the fundamental law
) affecting the others, and that We have no
right to pass Judgment upon the motives
Of any citizen Of the United States, when
his acts are loyal. Nowhere are the laws
now obeyed better than in the States
lately in rebellion The disturbances that
have occurred were due as much to inju-
dicious political movements as any purpose
hostile to the government. If the people
of the south show less disposition than
formerly to acquiesce in the new order Of
affairs, it is because Congress has withheld
their rights from them. If they felt oth>
erwise, they would be degenerate sons of
their sires. No people existed whose 10y
atty would not have been impaired by scuh
treatment. The people Of the south would
not be worthy to be trusted in the cxer>
else of their rights if they were willing to
submit to such humiliation. These men
acted as they did either from a conviction
of right or because they were under COM
pulsion. For this they have suffered ten
fold more than those who have remained
in allegiance. The address pledges them
to future obedience to the laws. 1t adds
that the war has swept away slavery, the
cause of sectional variance. ..and hostility,
and has revealed and disciplined our
power.
A. r.