Year: 1863


upon the foundation theory of free govern'
ment and by the fanatical energy with which
they have urged forward their extreme views
they have at length precipitated upon US the
most terrific and heartrending war of rebellionJ
that ever shook the foundations of social be-
ing. Notwithstanding the conservative ele-
ment North and South, those who on the one
hand wish to keep constitutional faith and
grant the equal security which the con-
stitution pledges, and those on the 9TH
er, who ask nothing more, are overwhelming
ly in the majority in both sections; yet, by
some strange infatuation of evil the few have
involved the many in this horrifc strife


How shall the constitution abiding Union
loving, conservative men, north and south,
meet the issue presented by those who, on the
one hand, seek, by usurpation, to pervert the
constitution, to invade its sanctities, and over-
throw its securities, and on the other 20 des-
troy the constitution and the Union by forci-
BILE revolution. The one in political, the 9TH
er in war-like array.


We must meet them in the modes sanction
ed by the constitution. Through the ballot
box we must control legislation within just
limits, and by the judiciary protect against the
infiction of acts viOlative of the constitution;
and with the whole resources and military
power of our government, we must crush the
rebellion and restore the national authority
over the revolted States. This is the pledge of
conservatism this we must do, or our govern
ment perishes, and with it the hope of free
government foreverl


Fears are expressed, and doubtless many
are sincere in their apprehensions, that crush
ing the rebellion will but open up the way to
the destruction of that political equality of the
States, which has builded US up into great
nationality, and given prosperity and happi-
ness to mighty and free people. 1t is feared
that mad men will seek to force terms of SUBJ
mission upon the acceptance of the rebellious,
&c Kho1o Skoko ,11I,k.o III OE
their political equality. That there are men
wicked enough to do so, there is as little room
for doubt, as there is to doubt that others are
seeking to destroy the government by force
But the conservative men of the whole coun-.
try have the strength and power, by unity OF
action, to crush the Oue and defeat the evil
Vaccinations Of the other.


To better assure the friends of Unconstitutional
government, of our security against such dan
ger, a few suggestive thoughts, by way of
strengthening their confidence and assuring
their faith and hopes, may not be amiss. 1t
should be borne in mind that aOe haze nO10, and
aCiU hare at the close Of the rebellion. the
identical constitution which the extremists
seek to destroy-the one by innovation-the
other by force. 1t cannot be altered except in
the manner therein prescribed The same
facts exist in reference to each State-loyal
and disloyal Rebellion has not altered, or
changed, or modified either the Federal or





destroyed the existence of the States, as States;
OF the Union. Their revolt only suspends the
action of the civil authority of the Federal
government within the resolted districts, pend
ing the revolt, and substitutes the military
authority until their rebellion ceases, and they
consent to accept the civil instead of the mill
tary rule.


No reconstruction is necessary The gov
ernment is complete-not brOken-not de-
stroyed; but, by the blessing Of God shall en-
dure forever. Al revolted State has nothing;
therefore, to do but to cease resistance to duty
and law, and return to its fealty; organize un-
der its Constitution, as it was before and would
be now but for the revolt. and thus place it
self in harmony with the Federal government
Thus, all that was suspended, by revolt will
be restored to action.


But will not the dominant powers require
terms other than these? Will they not require
the revolted States, as condition precedent to-
a restoration of their relations, to adopt either
immediate or gradual emancipation? These
are grave questions, and suggestive of a dan
gerous and wicked experiment. We trust to
plighted word and constitutional faith as
guaranty against such an issue. Nothing but
disregard of honor and the principles of hu-
manity can force such an issue, and we will
not invite an evil by battling it into being
The Affections pressing upon US claim our i'm
mediate efforts When others come we shall
meet them. Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof"


The States, by rebellion. did not lose their
status, as States of the Union. Their har-
monious and peaceful relations only were dis
turbed By rebellion they invoked the mill
tary to supersede the civil rule during tho
time of rebellion. Revolt did not disorganize
and remit them to territorial status; for re-
Uolution attempted, but failing, is no reUolu-
tiOn-nothing is changed, every thing remains.
1t is the success fuL attempt, which recOIutiO7I-
izes-chdnges-destroys. Itfollows, therefore,
that no terms can be demanded except to SUBJ
NIT to the constitution and laws az they are.
To demand any thing more would be to Grange
sides with the rebellion-to make war upon
the constitution, at the moment the rebel be-
came willing to submit to it.


But may not the rebel States be required to-
assemble conventions and so modify their
constitutions as to meet these demands. No
such convention can be called, to have any
legal power, until AFTER the State is organized
under the Institution, and makes the call
pursuant to the mode fixed in the constitution.
When organized so as to be IN position TO cali
a convention, it will be in harmony with It's
Federal relations. being all the time in and Of
the Union, and sovereign State OF the Union;
and no rouer or party would dare to attempt
to Law terms in violation of Federal and State
rights To REQUIRE such a convention would
he an admission of the right; to admit the
riobt of such convention would be to concede'
the right of secession, and thus vindicate the.
right claimed by rebellion. 1885


1t is because we deny the power of such
conventions, either to bind or loose, and re-
gard their acts as nullities, that we claim the
revolted States still of Ws-bound to US by
constitutional ObliIation-and,. therefore We