The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-03-20

question tnuS remains open ana unsettled,
and must again occupy the attention of
Congress, and in the meantime the agita-
tion which now prevails will continue to
disturb all PORTIONS Of the people.
The bill also denies the legality Of the
governments OF ten of the States which par
ticipated in the ratification of the amend
ment of the Federal Constitution abolishiDr
slavery forever within the jurisdiction Of
the United States, and practically excludes
them from the Union. Ii this assumption
of the bill be correct, their concurrence
cannot be considered as having been legally
given. and the important fact is made to
appear that the consent OF three fourths Of
The States-the requisite number-has not
been constitutio obtained TO the raii-
lication Of that amendment, thus leaving
the question Of slavery where it stood be-
fore the amendment was officially declar-
ed TO have become part OF the Constiu-
ti0n.
That the measure proposed by this bill
does violate the Constitution in the parli-
culars mentioned, and in many other ways
which | forbear to enumerate, is too clear
10 admit Of the least doubt. II only re-
mans to consider whether the injunctions
Of that instrument ought to be obeyed or
not. think they ought TO be obeyed, for
reasons which | will proceed 10 give as
briefly as possible.
In the first place, it is the only system Of
Tree government which we can hope to have
as nation. When il ceases to be the
rule ot our conduct, We may perhaps take
our choice between complete anarchy,
consolidated despotism, and total disso-
luton of the Union bur national liberty,
regulated BY law, will have passed beyond
our reach,
Ii is the best frame of government the
world ever saw. No other is, or can be so
well adapted to the genius, habits, or wants
Of the American people. Combining the
strength Of great empire with the unspea-
kable blessings Of local government
having central power to defend the gene
raj interests, and recognizing the authors
ty OF the States as the guardians Of indus
trial rights, il is " the sheet-anchor of our
safety abroad and our peace at home" Ii
was ordained Ito form more perfect IN
ION, establish Justice, insure domestic tran
qullIity, promote the general welfare, pro-
vide iur the common defense and secure
the blessings OF liberty 10 ourselves and to
our posterity." These great ends have
been attained heretofore, and will be again,
Iby faithful obedience TO il, but they are
certain TO be lost il we treat with disregard
lis sacred obligations.
Ii was TO punish The gross crime of defy
ing the Constitution, aud to vlndicate its
supreme authority, that we carried on
bloody war Of four years duration. Shall
We now acknowledge that we sacrificed
million OF lives and expended billions OF
Treasure to enforce Constitution which is
not worthy OF respect and preservation
Those who ADVOCATED the right OF seces-
sion alleged in their own justihcatson that
We had no regard Tor law, and that their
rights Of property. life and liberty, would
not be safe under the Constitution. is ad-
minislered by Us. II we now verify their
assertion, we prove that they were 10 truth
and in fact lighting for their liberty, and
instead Of branding their leaders with the
dishonpring name 0t traitors against rIgh-
teous and legal government, we elevate
them IN history TO the rank Of sell-sacrlfics
ing patriots, consecrale them TO the admi-
ration Of the world, and place them by the
side OF Washington, Hampden and Syd-
ney. No, lei Us leave them TO the Inlamy
they deserve, punish them a they should
be punished, according to law, and take
upon ourselves no share Of the odlum which
they should bare alone.
. Ii is part Of our public history, which
can never be forgotten, that both Houses OF
Congress, in July, 1861, declared IN the
form of a solemn resolution that the war
, was and should be carried on Tor no pur-
mise If subiugation, but solely TO enforce
/ the Constitution and laws; aud mat wnen
|. this was yielded BY the parties in rebellion