Year: 1862




structures of state as we'll as of the Ma
tional government. by denunciations OF
every law and authority that stands in
the way of their passion or their purposes.
They have not only carried discord into
our churches and legislative halls, but
into our armies. Every general who
agrees with them upon the subject of sla
very is upheld 10 every act of insubordina-
ton aud sustained against :he cearest
proofs Of Incompetence if cot of corruption.
On the other hand, every commander
who differs from their views upon the
single point Of slavery, is denounced
not only for imcompetencv, but constantly
deprecated in every act. No man is
allowed to be a christian; no man is re-
garded as Statesman no man is suffer-
ed unmoesed TO do his duty as a soldier
unless he supports measures which no one
dared to urge eighteen months since. -
They insist that martial law is superior to
constitutional law, that the wills of Cen
erals in the field are above all restraints
but they demand for themselves the right
to direct and control these Generals. They
claim an influence higher than that they
will allow to the law of the land. Are
these displays of insubordination and vi
olence safe at this time


The weight of annual taxation will tes,
severely the loyalty of the people of the
North. Republication of our financial OBJ
legations would cause disorder and endless
moral evils. Pecuniary rights will never
be held more sacred than personal rights
Reputation TO the constitution involves
reputation Of National debts, of its guar.
antees of rights of property, Of person, and
of consequence. The moment we show
the world that we do not hold the con.
ssituton to he sacred compact, we not
only destroy all sense of security, but we
turn away from oar shores the vast tide ot
foreign immigration. 1t comes here now
not because there are not other skies as
bright and other lands as productive as
ours. 1t seeks here security for freedom
for rights of conscience-for immunity
from tyrannical interferences, and from
meddling impertinenee. The home and
tireslde rights heretofore enjoyed by the
American people-enj Dyed under protec.
ton Of written constitutions, have made US
great and prosperous. | entreat you again
touch them not with sacriegious hands
We are threatened with the breaking up O.
our social system, with the overthrow o.
state and national governments. If we be
gin war upon the compromises of the
constitution we must 90 through with it.
1t contains many restraints upon our natu
raj rights. 1t may be asked by what righ,
do the six small New England States, with
a population less than that of New York
have six times its power in the Senate
which has become the controlling branch
of government BY what natural right dc
these states with their small united popu>
Iations and limited territories balance the
power Of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio
Illinois, Indiana and Michigan The vast
debt growing out of this war will give rise
to new and angry discussions. 1t will be
held almost exclusively in few Atlantic
States. Look upon the map 0! the Uniol
and see how small is the territory in which
it will be owned. We are to be divided
into creditor and debtor states, and the
last will have vast preponderance of pow
er and strength. Unfortunately there is
no taxation upon this national debt and its
share is thrown off upon other property.
1t is held where many of the government
contracts have been executed, and where in
some instances, gross frauds have been
practiced. 1t is held largely where the
constitution gives disproportionae share
of political power. With all these ele-
ments of discord, is it wise to assai consti
tutional law or bring authority into con,
tempt? Is it safe to encourage the forma
tion of irresponsible committees, made up
of impertnent men, who thrust themselves
into the conduct Of public affairs and try tc
dictate to legal rulers? or will YOU tolerate
the enrolment of armies which are not
constituted or organized by proper author
tiles? Are such things just towards til lose
who have placed their fortunes in the
hands of the government at this crisis


We implore you do not lie deceived
again with this syren song Of no danger
There is danger, great and imminent, OF the
destruction of all government, of safety for
life and property, unless the duty Of obedi
1ence to law and respect for authorities and
the honest support of those in the public
service, both military and civil, are taught
and enforced, by all means within our con
troll.