The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-08-30

such laws aud such obligations as VIC
might choose. But we had before the
war commenced complete jurisdiction
over the soil of the Southern States
limited only by our own Constitution -
our laws were the only national laws in
force upon it. The government of the
United States was the only government
through which those and their people
had relations with foreign nations. and
its tiag was the only flag l,y which they
were recognized or known anywhere on
the face Of the earth. In all these re.
spects, and in all other respects invoiv
ing national interests and rights. our
possession was perfect and complete. -
1t did not need to be acquired, but only
to be maintained and victorious war
against the rebellion could do nothing
more than maintain it. 1t could only
vindicate and rccstabliSh the disputed
supremacy of the Constitution. 1t could
neither enlarge nor diminish the author
ity which that Constitution confcrs up
on the government by which it was
achieved. Such an enlargement or
abrldSement of constitutional power can
be effected only by amendment Of the
Constitution itself, and such amendment
can be made only in the modes which
the Constltutian itself prescribcs. The
claim that the suppression Of an insur.
rcction against the government gives ad-
ditional authority and power to that gov.
ornment, especially that it cnlarges the
jurisdiction of Congress and gives that
body the right to exclude States from
representation in national councils, with
out which the nation itself can have no
authority and no existence, seems to us
at variance alike with the principles of
the Constitution and with public safety
Third. But it is alleged that in Ger
tain particulars the Constitution of the
United States fails to secure that abso-
Lutte justice and impartial equality
which the principles of our government
require; that it was in these respects
the result OF compromises and concess.
ions to which, however necessary when
the Constitution was formed, we are no
longer compelled to submit, and that
now, having the power through success,
ful war and just warrant for its exercise
IN the hostile conduct of the insurgent
section, the actual government of the
United States may impose its own con.
ditlons, and make the Constitution con.
form in all its provisions to its own ideas
OF equality and tie rights Of man.
Congress, at its last session, proposed
amendments to the Constitution, enlarg-
ing IN some very important particulars
the authority Of the general government
over that of the several States, and re-
ducing, by indirect disfranchisem ent
the representative power of the States
in which slavery formerly existed and
it is claimed that these amendments NAV
be made valid as parts of the original
Constitution, without the concurrence
of the States to be most seriously affect
ed ny them, OF may be imposed upon
those States by three.fourths of the re.
naming States, as conditions of their
re-admission to representation in Con
gress and in the Electoral College.
1t is the unquestionable right of the peo.
pie OF the United States to make such chang.
es IN the Constitution as they, upon due
dehberation, may deem expedent. But we
insist that they shall be made in the
mode which the Constitution itself
points out-in conformity with the letter
and spirit of that instrument, and with the
principles of self government and of equal
rights which lie at the basis of our republi-
can institutions. We deny the right of Con-
gress to make these changes in the funda
mental law Without the concur. ence of
three fOurths of all the States, including
especially those to be most seriously affect.
ed by them; or to impose them upon States
or people as conditions of representation, or
OF admission to any Of the rights, duties, or
oollgadons which belong under the Constitur
ton to all the Stales alike. And with still
greater emphasis do we deny the right of
any portion of the States excludinp the
rest OF the States from any share in their
couhclls, TO propose or sanction changes in
the Constitution which are to affect perma
nently their political relations, and control
or coerce the legitimate action of the sever,
al members of the common Union. Snch an
exercise ofPowcr is simply n usurpation -
just as unwarrantable when exercised Inv
Northern States as it would be if exercised
by Southern, aud not to be follIfied or pal.
lated by anything in the past history either
OF those by whom it is attempted, or of
those upon whose rights and liberties il is
| to take effect. 1t finds no warrant in the
| Constitution. 1t is at war with the funda,
mental principles of our form of government
If tolerated in one instance it becomes the
precedent for future inyasions Of liberty and
constitutional right dependent solely upon
the Will Of the party in possession of power,
and thus 'eads, by direct and necessary, to
the most fatal and intoerable of all tyran-
nies-the shifting AMI irresponsible politi.
cal factions. 1t is against this, the most
formidable of all the dangers which menace
the stability of free government, that the
Constitution of the United States was intent
ded most caretullyto provide. We demand
strict and steadtast adherence to its pro,
visions. In this, and this alone, can we lind
basis of permanent Union and peace,
Fourth But it is alleged in Justification
OF the usurpation which we condemn, that
the condition Of the southern States and
I IL