Year: 1861

Union is perpetual, confirmed by the history of


the Union itself. The Union is much elder than


the Constitution; it formed in fact by the arti-


cles of association in 1774. 1t was matured and


continued by the Declaration of Independence in


1776.


1t was further matured, and the faith of all


these thirteen States expressly pledged and engag


ed that it should be perpetual The Articles of


Confederation in ITS, and finally in 1887, one of


the declased ohjects for ordaining and establish


ing the Consultation was to form a more perfect


Union. But if destruction of the Union by one


or by part orIy of the States be lawfully possi-


BILE, the Union is less perfect than before-the


Constitution having lost the vital element of per-


petuity. 1t follows from these views that no


State, upon its own mere motion, lawfully go


out of the Union: that resolves and ordinances to


that effect legally void, and that acts of vio-


leEce within any Stale or States against the


thorty of the United States insurrectionary or


revolutionary, according to circumstances. l.


therefore, consider that, in view Of the Constitu


ton and the laws, the Union is unbroken, and to


the extent of my ability, shall take care, as the


Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, that


the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all


the States Doing this l deem to be only a sim


pie duty my part, and shall pei form it, so far
practicable, unless my rightful masters, the


American people, shall withhold the requisite
means, or, in some authorized manner, direct the
contrary. trust this will not be regarded as a
menace, but as the declared purpose Of the Union
that it will constitutionaly defend and maintain
itself In doing this there need be no bloodshed
or violence, and there shall be none, unless it be
forced upon the national authority. The power


confded to me will be used to hold, occupy and
possess the property and places belonging to the
Government, and to collect the duties and mposts;
and beyond what may be necessary for these OBJ
there he 10 in Of
against OF among the people anywhere. Where
hostility to the United States in any interior loca


ty shall be SO great and so unusual to prevent
competent resident citizens from holding the Fed
eral Offices, there will be attempt to force OBJ
noxious strangers among the people for that OBJ
ject. While the strict legal right may exist in
the Government to enforce the exercise of these
offices, the attempt to do so would be irrational,
and so nearly impracticable wthal, that deem it
better to forego for the time the uses of such Of
fees. The mails, unless repelled, will continue to
be furnished in all parts of the Union. So far
possible the people everywhere shall have that
sense of perfect security which is most favorable
to cool thought and reflection. The course. here


indicated will be followed, unless current events
and experience shall show modification or change
to be proper; and in every case and exigency, my
best discretion will he exercised according cir
cumstances actually existing, and with view and
a nope Vi d pedcelul OF the naLOnal CrOu-
bles, and the restoration of fraternal symrathies
and affections That there arc persons in one Sec
ton or another who seek to destroy the Union at
all events, and are glad of any pretext to do it,
will neither affirm deny, but if there be such,
need address word to them. To those, however
who really love the Union, may | not speak be-
fore entering upon grave a matter the de-
sruction Of national Fabric with all its benefits,
its memories, its hopes? Would it not be wise to
ascertain precisely why we do it? Will you hazard
SO desperate step while there is any possibility
that any portion of the ills you fly from have no
real existence? Will you, while the certain ills
you fly to greater than all the real ones you fly
from, will you risk the commission of so fearful
mistake? All profess to be content in the Union,
if all constitutional rights Can be maintained. Is
it true, then, that any right, plainly written in the
Constitution, has been denied? | think not.
Happily, the human mind is constituted, that
no power reach to the audacity Of doing this.
Think, if you can, of a single instance, in which
plainly written provision of the Constitution has
ever been denied? If by the mere force of numbers
majority should deprive minority of any clearly
written constitutional right, it might in moral point
Of vew justify revolution. 1t certainly would,
if such ri ght we're vital one. But such is not |
our case All the vital rights of minorities and of
individuals are so plainly assured to them by af |
irmations and negations, guarantees and prohbi-


TONS in the Constitution, that controversies never
arise concerning them. But no organic law can
ever be framed with provision specifically ap-
olieahle to every question which may occur in |
practical administration. No foresight an
icipate, any document of reasonable length |
contain express provisions for all possible ques-
ions. Shall fugtives from labor be surrendered |
BY national or by State authority? The Constitu-
ion does not expressly say. May Congress prohibit
lavery in the Territories? The Constitution does
lot expressly say Must Congress protect slavery
n the Territories? The Constitution does not
expressly say From questions of this class
prng all our constitutional controversies, and
ve divide upon them into majorities and minori-
les. If the minority will not acquiesce, the
majority must, or the Government must cease.
There is no other alternative for continuing the
Government than acquiescence side or the
ther If minority in such case will secede ra-
her than acquesce, they make precedent which
n turn will divide and ruin them; for minority
# their owH will secede from them whenever a ma
ority refuses to be controlled by such minority
Cor instance why may not any portion of a
year or two hence, arbitrarily Sc
ede again. precisely as portions of the present
Union now claim to secede from it? All who
herish disunion sentiments. are now being educa-
ed to the exact temper of doing this.


Is there such perfect identity of interests among
he States to compose new Union to produce
armony only, and prevent renewed secession
Plainly the central idea of secession is the essence
anarchy majority held in restraint by


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