Year: 1861

that period fifteen different and very distinguished CIT
tseus Nave in succession administered the Executive
branth of the Government. They have conducted II
through many peris and generally with great success
Yet with all thir scope for pIeceoent, now enter
spon the same task for the oritf Constitutional term
vsf four years under great and peculiar dlhcuity'
A dsrnption OF the Federal Union, heretofore only
mensced is now formidably attempted. told that IN
contamination of universal law and Of the Constitution,
he Union of these States is perpetual. Pepetuy is
hnpIeo if not expressed in the fundamental law of
all National Governments 1t s safe TO assert
chat ne Government proper had provision
Su its organic law for it's own termination. Con-
tinue 90 execute all the express provisions Of our
National Constitution, and the Union will endure for
ever it being impossible TO destroy it except by some
action not p-ovided Tor in the instrument ITSELF Again.
If the I'm ted States be not government proper,
but an association Of States in the nature OF
q ooatrse. merely, it contract be peaceably
unmsde by less than all the parties who made H.
One party to contract may violate it, break 1t, no TO
spak but does it not require all 10 lawfully rescind
II ,scendipg from these general principles, we lind
the proposition that in legal contemplation, the Union
u spsrpetua confirmed by the history OF the Union usef
The Union is much Older than the Constitution. 1t
was formed in fact by the articles Of association IN
l774 IL was ulaured and continued in the Decara-
ton of Independence 1916. 1t further matured,
and the faith Of all the then thirteen States expressly
pghed and engaged that it should be perpetual by the
Articles of Confederation in 77s and finally in lTo one
Of the declared ObjeCs for ordaining and establishing
she Constitution ~ form more perfect Ohioh'
Bus if the destruction of the Union by one or by a
mari only of the SAFES he lawfully possible, the Union
h less than before tue Constitution having lost the
vital element of perpetuity II follows from THESE
views that no State, upon its Own mere motion, can
iswfuy yet out of the Union that resolves and ordi'
nAnoes 10 that effect legally void ard that acts Of
whence within any State States the authority
Of the United States nsurectonary or revolution
any, according 70 circumstances. i, therefore, consider
thai in view of the Constitution and the laws, the
Union is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability,
shall take care the Constitution itself expressly en-
joins upon me- that the laws of the Union be faithfully
executed in all the States. Doing this deem TO be
onl simple duty on my part. shall perfectly per-
form 20 far ss is practicable, unless my rghtful


masters the American people shall withhold the requ-
utico or in some authoritative direct the con-
trary trust this will not be regarded AZ menace,
bat ony as the declared purpose of the Union, that
Il will cOnstitutonally defend and maintain itseli
In doing this there need be no bloodshed or Vlo'
lense and there shal be unless IT Is forced upon
the national authority The power conided TO me VIII
be used hold occupy, and possess the property ana
places belonging the Government and collect the
duties and imports, but beyond Whist may be nece-
ssary for these Objects there will be no invasion no
.sinz of force against among the people anywhere
Where hostility TO the United States shall be 30
great and so universal to prevent competent
resident citizens from holding the Federal Offices


there will be attempt TO force obnoxious
ssrangers among the people that object. While the


&c tta lover nmenf q
enforce the exercise of these Offices the attempt to do
no would be 30 Irritating and nearly imprsctcable
,xhal that deem better TO lorego for the time the
zses of such offices. The mails, unless rePeed VIII
continue TO lie furnished in all parts Of the Union.


30 far ss possible, the people every where shall have


that sense of perfect security which Is most favorable


to calm thought and reflection The course here indi-


Gated will be followed unless events and expe


risnce shall show modification change 10 be proper,


and in every and exigency my best discretion will


be exercised according 70 the circumstances actua


exising, and with view and hope of peaceful solu-


zion of the national troubles aud the restoration Of


frsternal sympathes and affections. That there


are persons in one section another who seek
10 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 10 them.
Il, those, however, who really love the Union may
not speak Before entering upon grave mat
Der a. the destruction of national fabric with all It's
benefits its memories, and its hopes would it not be
well 10 ascertain why we do il Will you hazard
% desperate step while any portion Of the ills you
hy from have no real existencel Win you while the
certain ills you fly greater than all the real
you Ay FRONT VIII you risk the commission of 30
fearful mistake All profess 10 be content in the
Union if all Constitutional rights Can be main-
tanned. Is it true then, that any right plainly
written in Lbe Constitution has been denied. think
not. Happily the human mind il constituted
that party reach TO the audacty Of doing this
Think if you can, Of single instance in which
plainly provision Of the Constitution has
been denied. If, by the force OF numbers, ma
jority should deprive minority Of any Ceary-wntten
constitutional right might in mora point of view,
Justify revolution; certainly would if such right were


vital one. But such is not case. All the vital
rights of minortes and of individuals so plainly
assured 10 them by afhrInatioDs and negatiODs,
guarantees and prohibitions, in the Constitution,
that controversies never arse concerning them.
Bot no organic law be framed with prcvis-
ioa specifically applicable TO every question which may
occur in practical administration. No foresight can
anticipate, nor any document of reasonable length
contain express provisions for all possible questions.
Shall fugtves from labor be surrendered by National
OF by State authortyl The Constitution does not
expressly say. Must Congress protect Slavery in the
Territoresl The Constitution does not expressly say.
Escm questions Of this Glars spring all eonslitu
tOnJ controversies, and divide upon them into
iOrass and minorities II tue minority will not acqui
esce She majority must the Government must cease