The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-03-09
MANITOWOC, WIS.,. THURSDAY. MARCH 9, 1871.

perpetuity.
1t follows from these views, that no
state, upon it's own mere notion, can
lawfully go out of the Union, that re-
solves and ordinances to that effect are
legally void, and that an act of vio-
lence within any state or states against
the authority of the United States are
insurrectionary, or revolutionary, ac-
cording to circumstances.
| therefore consider that in view of
the constitution and laws, the Union is
unbroken and to the extent of my alb
ility | shall take care, as the constitu-
ton expressly enjoins on me, that the
laws of the Union be faithfully execut-
ed in all the states.
Doing this deem it to be only a
simple duty on my part, and | shall
perform it so far as practicable, unless
my rightful masters, the American
people, shall withhold the means, or in
some authoritative manner direct the
contrary.
One section OF the country belieYe
slavery is right, and ought to be extend
ed, while the other believes it wrong,
and ought not to be extended. This is
the only substantial dispute.
Physically speaking we can't seper-
ate, we can't remove our respective
sections from each other, nor build an
impossible wall between them. A hus-
band and a wife may be disagreed, and
go out OF the presence beyond the
reach of each other, but the different
parts of our country cannot do this.
They must remain face to face and in
| tercourse either hostile or amicable
must continue between them. Is it
possible then to make that Intercourse
more advantageous or more satisfactory
after separation than before2 Can ali
ems make treaties better than friends
can make laws? Can treaties be more
faithfully enforced between aliens than
laws can among friends?
Suppose you go to war; you cannot
| fight always: and when after much loss
on both sides, and no gain on either,
you cease fighting, the identical ques-
tions as to terms of intercourse are a
gain upon you.
My countrymen, one and all, stand
calmly and well upon this whole sub
ject. Nothing valuable can be lost by
taking time, if there can be any object
to hurry any of you in hot haste to a
step which you never would have TAX
en- deliberately, that object will be
! frustrated by taking ts...o---but no good
object can be frustrated by it. Such
of you as are now dissatisfied have the
old constitution unimpaired, and on
the sensitive point of the laws of your
own framing under 1t. The new adj
ministration will have no immediate
cause, if it would, to change either. II
it were admitted that you who are dis.
satisfied, hold the right side of the dis.
pute, there still is not single reason
for precipitate action.
Intelligence, patriotism, christianity,
and firm reliance on Him who has
never yet forsaken this favorite land
are still competent to adjust, in the
best way, all our present difficulties,
In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow.
countrymen, and not in mine, is the
momentous issue of civil war.
The Government will not assail you:
you can have no conflict without being
yourselves the aggressors; you have nc
oath registered in Heaven to destroy
this government, while | shall have
the most solemn one to preserve, pro-
tect and defend it, | am loath to close
| We are not enemies, but friends. We
must not be enemies Though passions
may have strained it must not break
our bonds of action.
The mystic chords of memory stretch
ed from every battlefield and patriotic
grave, to every living heart and hearth
stone all over this broad land, will yet
swell the chorus Of the Union, when a
gain touched, as surely they will be,
by the better angels Of our nature.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.