North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-03-13

the bands OF the negroes is ans arpAParV
violation of this principle. Ibis bill i'm
poses martial law at once, and IFS opera
ii,ns will begin as soon ass the General
and his troops can be put ia place. The
dread alternative between its harsh rule
and compliance with the terms of this
measure is not suspended, nor are the peo-
p!e ctfared any tifne for free 'detbaraflan.
The hill.says to them, take martial law
first, then deliberate, and when they have
done all that this asures rNaires them
to do, other conditions and conting nces,
over wh'ch they have~ ~ro'contro+;; yet re-.
main to be fulfilled before they can be re-
leyei from martial law. Another Con-
grasS must first approve the constitutions
mad il conformity with the will OF this
conyrtss AMI must declare these States
entitled to representation in both House
The whole question thus remains open and
unsettled, and must again occupy the at
teution Of Congress; and in the meantime
the agitation which now prevails will con
tnua to disturb AL portions of the people.
The bills also denies the legality of the
Governments of ten States which participa-
the federal Constitution abolshing slavery
forever within the jariS fiction Of the Uni
ted States, and prac .icaly excludes them
from the Union. Itthis assumption of the
bill be correct their concurrence cannot be
cons dered as having been legally given,
and The important tact is made to appear
that the consent of three fourthS of the
L. b.r
b e constitutionally obtained to the rati-
fcation of that amendment, thus leaving
the ule.tion of slavery where it stood be
fore the amendment was officially declared
TO have become part of the Constitution,
Tat the measures proposed by this bill
violate the Constitution in the particulars
mentioned. and in many ways which | for
bear TO cnnmerate, is too clear to admit Of
the least doubt 1t only remains to cons
silrr whether the iniInctions of the instru-
mant ought to be obey ed for reasons which
will proceed to rive as briefly as posi-
be- In the first place, 1t is the only sys-
TEN of free government which we cannot
hone to have as a na:ion when it ceases
to be the rule Of our conduct wc may, per
anarchy, consolidated despotism, and a
total dissolution of the Union but national
liberty. regulated BY law. viii have passed
beyond our reach. 1t is the best frame of
,vernmept the world ever saw. No 9th
cr IS or can be so wei adapted to the gen
iu. habits, or wants of the American peo-
pie, c5nbinng the serength of the great
empire with he upspeakable blessings of
.5cal Governments having a central power
10 defend the general Interests and recog-
nizng the authority Of the States as the
guardians of industrial rights. 1t is the
Sheet anchor of our safety abroad and onr
peace at home. 1t was ordained to ''form
more perfect union, establish justice, in
sure domestic tranquility. promote the gen.
eral welfare, provide for the common de-
fence and secure the blessings Of liberty t,
ourselves and TO our post-ritv." These
great end, have been attained heretofore
and will b.. again bv faithful obedience to
i. but they are crriain to be lost if we
tfeat with iisreoard its sacred obligations
It WAS to punish the gross crime of defy
ino the Constitution and TO yindicat. lis
supreme authority that we carried on a
bloody war Of four years duration. -
Shall we now acknowleige thai we sacri-
feed a million OLIVES aud expended bill
ions of treasure TO enforce constitution
whic, i not worthy of respect and preser-
vation: those who advocated the right OF
secession alleged in their own Justification
that we had no regard for law, and that
their rights of property, life, and liberty
would not be safe under the Con n,titution
as administered by us. If we now verify
their assertion we prove that they were il
truth aud in FAC! fighting for their liberty
aud, instead of branding their leaders will
the dishonoring name o: traitors against :
righteous and legal government, we elevate
them in history to the rank of self sacrii-
cling patriots, c,nsecrate them to the admi-