JK216 Copy 2 ■■ ^ L •■ 1 ^ I 4^ O^ :• .*^ -*. -^ rt V o * <• . *#^ 4 o **^^ '^'f. JUN.* ^ A, ».«,'='--*' -* - .MAW ^ ^^6^ ' * "j* i. « NOTES COKSTITUTIOI If 1© Sf EXPOSITIOIsTS Of the Most Eminent Statesmen and Jurists. pst0Mal mi %v^\)sM\mi pixtesi -iV^ ON EVERY ARTICLE. Author of the "History ol' ^a^ Union and the Constitution." NEW YORK: ^ PUBLISHED BY J. F. FEEKS, No. 26 ANN STREET. / s 4 -^ tK «15^ c^\-^ Op EitTfiBm accdrdlug to Act of Congress, in the year 1£64, by J. F. FEEKS, In the Clerk's Office of the Disirict Ciort of tUc United States, for theSouU»ern District of Xew-yorlt. NOTE TO THE READER. ■*^ « #i^i" As these Notes are designed especially for the "benefit of the Million, they have been left as free as possible of all technical phrases. Brevity and clearness have been the chief points aimed at, after the prime purpose of giving a correct interpretation of such parts of the Constitution, as have a direct bearing upon the issues now before our country. The necessary brevity of the work does not permit the introduction of a larger number of references. Nor "would the introduction of a great many references comport with the object of the author, which is to give an explanation that commends itself to the reason and intelligence of the reader, by a direct analysis of the text of the Constitution itself. It is designed to help the reader to draw correct conclusions for himself — to form opinions of his own, so that ho may be able to successfully combat the errors and delusions which are everywhere so prevalent in relation to the nature and powers of the Federal Government. n. It -will be seeu that all of tlie test of tho Constitution is in the largest type. The author has mostly quoted Chief Justice Story, because of his great reputation as a jurist, and be- cause he was a Federalist, and never conceded a point in favor of the democratic interpretation of tho Constitution, when he was not forced to do so by the incontrovertible meaning of the text. The Reports of Dallas and Cranch, occasionally referred to, are Reports of the decisions of the Su- preme Court of the United States. NOTES ON THE CONST ITTJTIOlSr. PREAMBLE. ' We tlie People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, j)rovide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. NOTE. This Preamble fully sets forth the reasons which led our fathers to establish the Union, and affords a perfect key to the true interpretation of the Constitu- tion. 6 NOTES ON The term " We the People of the United States,^' afc once defines the nature of the Federal government — it is a government of States, and not of the People, as a consolidated body. This preamble recognizes State individuality, in opposition to the idea of the consolida- tion of the States into one vast National body. It was no part of the design of our fathers to form such a consolidated government. The government estab- lished by this Constitution is not of consolidated States, but of " United States." United and consolida- ted, are words of very different import. Had the de- sign beoipi to form a government of one consoHdated people, the Preamble would have read We the People of America. But there is no such body politic known as, The People of America. The name of our govern- ment is the " United States "—that is, as the French has it — ■"■ Les Etas Unis " — the States United. The term, " We the People," in this preamble, is of pre- cisely the same import as the phrase " the people of the several States " in the second section of the first Arti- cle of this Constitution. In the Constitutional Con- vention of Virginia, Patrick Henry, referring to the phraseology of this Preamble, exclaimed — " What right had the framers of the Constitution to say "We the people," instead of " We the States ?" Mr. Madison replied — " Who are the parties to the gov- ernment ? The people ; but not the people as com- posing one great body ; but the people as composing "thirteen sovereignties." This Preamble sets forth the object of the Constitution to be " to form a more per- fect Union." The idea of union and not consolidation is still affirmed. We hear a great deal, at the present time, about the "National Government," the "Na- THE CONSTITUTION. 7 tional forces," &c. ; but no sucL language is found in the Constitution. On the contrary, the word " Na- tionaV was designedly banished from that instru- ment, as implying a principle inimical to the purposes of the convention. In the first draft of a Constitution introduced to the Convention by Governor Randolph, the opening resolution declared, " That it is the opin- ion of this committee, that a national government ought to be formed." "When this came up for dis- cussion, Judge Ellsworth, of the State of Connecti- cut, said, " I propose, and therefore move, to expunge the word national from the first resolve, and place in the room of it, " government of the United States.'^ This passed unanimously, which voted this now pop- ular word, ^^ national" out of the Constitution, as something contraband of the nature of the govern- ment which they were endeavoring to establish. In the debate on this matter, Mr. Lansing of the State of New York, said, " I am already of the opinion, that I am not authorized to accede to a system which will annihilate the State governments. When many of the states are so tenacious of their rights on this point, can we expect that thirteen States will surren- der their governments up to a national plan." Those who advocated the " national plan," were in such a small minority in the convention, that they at once abandoned the idea, and gracefully yielded to the plan of a government of co-equal, sovereign and inde- pendent States. This preamble further sets forth the object of the constitution to be, to "ensure domestic tranquility, and to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." This then was the object of the 8 NOTES ON formation of the Union. As long as it secures to tlie States these great and inestimable blessings of " do- mestic tranquility " and " liberty," every party to the compact is bound faithfully to support it. But when- ever it becomes destructive of the objects for which it was formed, it is clearly the right of the States whose "domestic tranquility" and "liberty" maybe en- dangered to assert their original sovereign powers for their own protection and happiness. The position laid down by Daniel Webster that "a compact broken on one part is broken on all" is one that no sane man disputes. This ground is fully affirmed in the follow- ing clause of the Resolutions of " '98 :" " The States, then, being the parties to the Constitutional compact, and in their sovereign capacity, it follows of necessity that there can be no tribunal above their authority, to decide, in the last resort, such questions as may be of sufficient magnitude to require their interposition." It has sometimes been denied that the States adopted the Constitution in the capacity of sovereign bodies, because it was done in conventions of the people. Even Chief Justice Story seems to have labored under a delusion growing out of this fact. It is true the constitution was ratified by the people ; but not by the people of the whole United States as one body, but by the people of the *' several States," assembled each in its distinct and separate statehood, to ratify or reject the constitution as it pleased in its own sovereign powers. Had the people designed to adopt a consti- tution, in their collective capacity as one great nation, there could have been no caUing of separate state conventions, but delegates would have been chosen from all the states to one general convention, for the purpose of deliberating upon the question of adoption or rejection. THE CONSTITUTION. 9 ARTICLE I. Section 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Represen- tatives. IH80TE. " Powers herein geanted." All the legislative powers of the Federal Government are declared to be of the nature of a " grant.'''' The grantors are the States, and the grantee, or federal government, is therefore the dependent agent of these sovereign bodies. The federal government possesses only such powers as were "granted" by its framers and masters, the States. It is not a party to the compact, but is the general agent for administering certain offices re- sulting from the compact. Section 2. 1. The House of Representatives shall be com- posed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Elec- tors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature. 10 NOTES ON NOTE. Thus the power of Congress represents not a con- solidated people, but the people of the "several States.^' It represents the sovereignty an independence of the States. If the States should refuse to elect members of Congress the federal government has no remedy against such action on the part of the States. Though its own existence would be put in jeopardy, it has no remedy. It is a matter in which the sovereignty of the States is perfect. Congress has no power to or- der an election in a non-complying State. Thus in ' the first article of the constitution did " the several States " reserve to themselves the power to annihilate Congress, if a majority of them so please. It was never the intention of the States to make the Con- gress their masters. All the powers they granted were for their ow^n benefits ; and they retained the power to even annihilate Congress if it should ever so suit their sovereign pleasure. 2. No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen. 3. Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to THE CONSTrrUTION. 11 their respective Numbers, which shall be deter- mined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives, shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at least one Represen- tative ; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be en- titled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence p]r^i]l:ili' riii one, Connecticut five. New York six, Isew Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Mary- land six, Virginia ten. North Carolina five. South Carolina five, and Georgia three. 4. When Vacancies happen in the Represen- .tatioji^from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such ^Vacancies. , 5..-The House of Representatives shall choose .their Speaker and other Officers j and thall have the_~sole Power of Impeachment. 12 NOTES ON NOTE. While the sole power of impeachment is given to the House of Representatives, the power to try all impeachments is in the Senate. The powers of the House in this particular are similar to those of a grand jury, whose business it is to find the bill of in- dictment, while the Senate is the high court to try the case. Those who are liable to impeachment are the President, Vice President and all civil ojficers of the United States. [See Article II. Section 4.] Thus the "several states" have reserved to themselves, through the representatives of their sovereignty, the right to remove the President and all the officers of the federal government from office, if they prove un- faithful to the duties entrusted to them. This right of impeachment of all the officers of the federal gov- ernment is the very highest assertion of State sover- eignty. Section 3. 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years ; and each Senator shall have one vote. The Senate, the highest branch of the federal legis- lature, is the creature of the " several States," and represents their sovereignty — their absolute sover- eignty ; for there is no power in the federal govern- THE CONSTITUTION. 13 ment to compel the State legislatures to elect XJ. S. Senators. Suppose a majority of the States shou'd refuse to elect Senators, "what would become of the federal government? It would come to a sudden end. The legislative branch would be swept ou!.ci existence, leaving the executive and the federal branches without legal powers to proceed. The ad- ministration of the federal government must in such an event cease. The existence of the Federal Gov- ernment would vanish from the face of the earth, leaving the " several states " precisely as they were before the adoption of the federal constitution. The number of Senators — two from each State — is a further proof of the determination of the States not to hazard their sovereignt3^ By this Constitution the State of Rhode Island, which has a population less than that of a single county of the State of New York has the same power in the Federal Senate that the largest State in the Union possesses. The sover- eignty of a small State is as absolute as that of a large one — and not one of the small States would have adopted the constitution, had it denied them perfect equality, in the chief branch of the federal legislature. The federal Senate represents the State as sovereignties, and not the people at large, that is the reason why a small State has the same number of Senators that the largest have. 2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the fii*st Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first 14: NOTES ON Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expira- tion of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one- third may be chosen fevery second Year ; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make tempo- rary Appointment until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fJl such Ya- cancies. 3. No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabi- tant of that State for which he shall be chosen. 4. The Yice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided. 5. The Senate shall choose their other Offi- cers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Yice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States. 6. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that THE CONSTITUTION. 15 Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside : And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. Yv Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and Disqualifications to hold and enjoy any Office of Honorj- Trust or Profit under the United States ; but the Party convicted shall neverthe- less be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law NOTE. Althoiign' tho vote of impeachment by the Senate can go 113 furl-^cv t!ia,n to roi^iovo the impeached from office, lie is liable to be tried by the civil coiu'ts, or may be fined, imprisoned or hanged, according to the nature of his offence. The President is just as liable to arrest, if he breaks the laws, as the poorest vagrant in the land.. Any man breaking the laws, acting by his authority, as a general, United States marshal, or provost marshal, is just as liable to arrest and punish- ir^nt as though he committed the lawless deeds of his "bwn motion. By executing the sentence of a court- martial, if it proves to be a violation of the laws of the land, the officer makes himself liable. The sen- tence of the court is no protection to the officer. See Cranch's Reports of the Supreme Court, Vol. 1 — 333. 16 NOa'ES ON Section 4. 1. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof ; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators. 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day. Section 5. 1. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business ; but a smaller Num- ber may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Pen- alties as each House may provide. 2. Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disor- derly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member. THE CONSTITUTION. 17 3. Eacli House shall keep a Journal of it=» Proceedings, and from time to time publish the Eame, excepting such Parts as may in their Judg- ment require Secrecy ; and the Yeas and Kays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the JournaL 4. Neither House, during the Session of Con- gress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three Days, nor to any other Place than to that in which the two Houses shall be sitting. Section 6. 1. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treas- ury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same ; and for any Speech or Debate in cither House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place. 2. No Senator or Representative shall, during 18 NOTES ON the Time for wliicTi he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been in- creased during such time ; and no Person hold- ing any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office. Of the last clause of this sixth section Chief Justice Story says : — " The object of these proYisions is suffi- ciently manifest. It is, to preserve the legislature against undue influence, and direct corruption on the part of the Executive. The great securities for so- ciety — those, on which it must forever rest in a free government — are, responsibility to the people through elections, and personal character, and purity of prin- ciple." The members of the Federal Congress are the agents or servants of the people of the States, and so careful were the framers of the Constitution to pro- vide for keeping them so, that the instrument bars senators or representatives from accepting any office under the authority of the United States, and forbids a person holding office under the Federal Govern- ment to be elected a senator or representative. Chief Justice Story in a further comment on this clause says : — " It is doubtless founded in a deference to State jealousy, and a sincere desire to obviate the fears, real or imaginary, that the General Government THE CONSTITUTION. 19 •would obtain an undue preference over the State Government." The Federal Congress since the elec- tion of Mr. Lincoln has entirely disregarded the spirit and intent of this clause of the Constitution, a majority of them have been the guilty tools of Ex- ecutive usurpation and despotism. In violation of the Constitution they have passed acts clothing the President with monarchial and despotic powers. They have passed acts designed to protect the President from just punishment for violations of lav/ ; and have appropriated the pubUc funds to aid him in destroying the purity of elections in the States, In a word they have ceased to be the representatives or servants of the States, and have become the rep- resentatives or pliant tools of the Federal Executive. Section 7. 1. All Bills for ra'siDg Eevenue shall origiD ate in the House of Representatives ; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. NOTE. This is the rule in the English Parliament, where all bills appropriating money originate in the House of Commons. The reason is that all appropriations of the people's money " should originate with their immediate representatives." This was no doubt the thought of the framers of our Constitution. But the spirit of this clause has 20 NOTES ON been violated dnring the whole time of the present administration. The bills for raising revenue have been conceived by the President or his Cabinet ; and have then been shaped in caucuses of the Senate and House of Bepresentatives — all acting together as if conspiring against the sovereign dignity of the States, and the pockets of the people "whom they were sent to represent. 2. Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States ; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his O'ojectioDS to that House in which it shall have oi'iginated, v/ho shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to recon- sider it. If after such Heconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it sha-l be sent, together with the Objections to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Yotes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Joijrnal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays ex- THE CONSTITUTION. 21 cepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law. 3. Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and Ilouse of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States ; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be re- passed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill. Section 8. 1. The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, D^^ " "., Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and. j rovide for the common De- fence and geucrra Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uni- form throughout the United States; NOTE. The whole of this eighth section is devoted to the 22 NOTES ON powers of Congress. In studying these powers we are to bear in mind that Congress derives all its pow- ers from the Constitution. It is therefore a body of limited powers. An act of Congress made contrary to the restrictions of the Constitution is absolutely void — is not a law. See Dallas' Reports of the Su- preme Court 111:399, and I Cranch, 176. The opening clause of this eighth section gives Congress the power to collect taxes, duties and im- posts, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence, &c., of the United States. It expressly names for what purposes Congress may tax the peo- ple. It can collect taxes and duties for no other pur- pose, than for the " common defense and general wel- fare." The last and the present Congress have taxed the people to buy negroes of the border States — to teach negroes to read and write on the coast of North and South Carolina — to give negroes transportation from the South to the North — to build negroes' houses, and to feed and clothe them — all of which is a violation of the Constitution. Congress has no power to tax the people for such purposes. Surely no one will contend that these are among the neces- sary and legitimate expenses of the government of tho United States. If Congress has a right to tax the people for such purposes, there can be no limit to its powers. Chief Justice Story says this clause means " a limitation or qualification of the power of taxation ; so that no taxes can be laid by Congress, except to pay the debts, and to provide for the com- mon defence and general welfare." To pay the debts means the ordinary and legitimate expenses of gov- ernment. The distinguished jurist above quoted fur- THE CONSTITUTION. 23 ther says — " The power of taxation is not unlimited in its character. The taxes levied must be (as "we have seen) either to pay the public debts, or to pro- vide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States." This clause of the constitution also requires that " all the duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States." On this Chief Jus- tice Story says — "The reason of the latter rule is, to prevent Congress from giving any undue preference to the pursuits or interests of one state over those of another. It might otherwise happen, that the agri- culture, commerce, or manufactures of one state, might be built up on the ruins of the interests of an- other." This is what Congress has done, especially since the accession of the Republican party to power. The manufacturing states of the East are getting rich to the detriment of the agricultural states of the West. The Congressional legislation which has produced this result, is clearly a subversion of the intent of this clause of the constitution. 2. To borrow Money on the credit of the United States ; 3. To regulate Commerce with foreign Na- tions, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes. NOTE. Congress is authorized to borrow money on the 24: NOTES ON credit of the United States for the purpose of paying the public debt and for the general welfare, and for no other purpose. The right to pay the public debt carries with it the power to raise money for that pur- pose. And for such a purpose Congress may borrow money on the credit of the United States. But Con- gress has no right to borrow money on the credit of the United States, to purchase, feed, clothe, educate, or otherwise provide especially for negroes, to trans- port soldiers home to vote, &c. The power "to regulate commerce " is to be exeiicised only in agreement with the objects for which taxes may be collected or money borrowed, viz : to pay the public debt, and to provide for the common defense and general welfare. It has been a disputed ques- tion, whether Congress has power to lay duties on im- ports for the purpose of encouraging manufactures. It should be noticed that all the powers here given to Congress touching this matter are clearly for the purpose of revenue and for no other purpose. And these powers are all confined to the general wel- fare. Legislation for a class or a section is forbidden in this instrument. The Congress have no more right to impose taxes for the encouragement of manu- factures, than they have to do so for the encourage- ment of meeting houses or any other local or private interest. 4. To establish an uniform Rule of Naturali- zation, and Tiniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States ; 5. To cofn Money, regulate the Value thereof, THE CONSTITUTION. 2^ and of foreign Coin, and" fix tlie Standard of Weights and Measures/ NOTE. To coin moneij admits of no doubtful signification. As the term is adopted without explanation, it must be understood in its ordinary accej)tation. To coin money means to stamp coin. By no con- struction possible can it be made to signify to print paper. If Congress has any Constitutional power to print paper to occupy the place of coin as money it must be sought for in the above clause. The common sense of any man teaches him that paper is not coin, and it is difficult to imagine how it is possible for any man to infer the right of Congress to print a paper currency from the powers granted in this clause of the Constitution. It is impossible to believe that Congress supposed it possessed any such right when it passed the bill, or that the judges, who have pronounced the act Constitutional are honest. One judge who gave such a decision based his opinion upon the words to "regulate the value thereof.'' But the clause reads that Congress shall have power to " coin money, regulate the value thereof — " i. e. to reg- ulate the value of coined money. The language ad- mits of no doubt. Greenbacks are not, in the mean- ing of the Constitution, money, because Congress has no power delegated to it, to make such a currency. A greenback is no more than an unsecured promise to pay. It is ih.Q promise of a party which is already bankrupt. It was never the intention of the framergf 26 NOTES ON of the Constitution to expose tlie people of tliese States to the ruin liable to follow such a rotten system. 6. To provide for the Punishment of counter- feiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States ; 7. To establish Post Offices and Tost Roads. NOTE. The right to establish post roads must be under- stood to apply to territories of the United States, or to such places as belong to the United States. Over the soil of the States the United States has no Juris- without losing 3sfeJta«ft@!a©itl^&ifee%4^tc^^J]^^ egbirT^ ,&an&h Bidi no yrrfitosmaioO &id ril .v 1 . Treason against the United Staft.^j. shall difif Si§t"tely-i?i ^Iwyifeg'JoW'^i^iagaiirn&tri^BijHOf in .oikie-r £ 07 bsilmdua srsdi bmi : bood■Iodd^i^a baa .aaegsrrtm bm THE CONSTITUTION. 69 Treason unless on the Testimony of two Wit- nesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. 2. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted. NOTE. The meaning of " Treason " is here placed beyond dispute — it consists in " levying icar,'' &c. ; or in giv- ing aid and comfort to those who do levy war upon the United States. To give aid and comfort, is to assist the enemy with the means of levying war. A man's opinions or symjMthies are a gi'eat ways out- side of treason. He may beHeve his government to be caiTying on an unjust war, and his sympatliies may even be with those with whom his country is carrying on a war, without being a traitor. The law does not punish opinions and sympatliies as crimes. " In our last war with England the entire " Federal"" party sympa- thized with the enemy. Ministers preached against the war as " unholy and damnable" — statesmen de- nounced not only the war, but every separate meas- ure of the administration which was carrying it on. But all this was nQt/treiiiSon^-^^as Etatigivieg aj^attd Gomfort toihe |'BeMy:iijBiJ;'hia tfc©^^^toi#gI§l>'t•i^^ Isiap*.' The :samfeisda'a^.yv.cfm^o^iI i5sst%rMesi$oeo::¥^^ Golin,: ith-en ■ a" memb<&r oe^fcilOeBgij^Q^ivflesiiftjiftc^'l itj©a thsfe-iflotaj:-: ol ihe Hojui^tf a©dd ^c\§t«»^i{«^fi;lte toiga-eA 60 NOTES ON to stop all supplies for the army. One member, (our present minister to Mexico,) in a speech on the floor of Congress, prayed to God that the enemy might "welcome our soldiers with bloody hands to hos- pitable graves." While the democrats were illumina- ting all our cities to celebrate the victories achieved ^ by our soldiers, the Whigs closed their doors, shut their houses in darkness, and retired in sullen silence from the'Joud acclaim, to show their detestation of the war. But all this was not treason — was not levying war, nor giving aid and comfort to the enemy within the meaning of the Constitution. So with the pres- ent war — a man has a right to his opinions and his sympathies. He may believe the war to be violative of the Constitution, to be an act of cruel and bloody despotism, to be carried on for an unholy and damna- ble purpose — nay, he may believe that the cause of the Union and of liberty demands that it should ut- terly fail, and be no traitor ; but, on the other hand, be a true patriot. No man has a right to punish him for his sympathies with those who are fighting to defend their altars and their homes. He may be mistaken in his opinions, and be misguided in the ex- ercise of his sympathies — but wrong opinions and misguided sympathies are not crimes within the meaning of the laws. The above section declares that no man shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses, or on an open confession. And also that " no treason shall work corruption of blood or for- feiture, except during the life of the person attainted." Both of these provisions have been violated in in- numerable instances, by the present administration. THE CONSTITUTION. 61 It has pronounced men guilty of treason, by order and proclamation, without witnesses and without trial ; and has declared their property confiscated for all time, and under such order has proceeded to sell and deed away said property. Of course the parties holding this property have no valid title to it what- ever. If the Constitution and laws should survive this destructive revolution, all the holders of property, thus illegally obtained, will be dispossessed and severely punished. In the eye of the law the holders have no more just claim to the property from the title given by Mr. Lincoln, or by his Congress, than they would if they had received it in fee simple from a banditti. Such is the organic law of the land. Neither the President nor Congress, nor any other authority can alter it. An act of Congress which vio- lates the Constitution is not a law. All parties en- gaged in executing an unconstitutional law, are Kable to punishment. MISCELLANEOUS. ARTICLE IV. Section 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial bZ NOTES ON Proceedings of every other State. Aiid the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and JPro- ceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. Section 2. 1. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in" the several States. 2. A Person charged in any State with Trea- son, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be re- moved to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime. 3. No Person held to Service or Labor in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaj)ing into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labor, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labor may be due. THE CONSTITUTION. 63 are put upon the same footing. They are both to be given up " on claim ;" that is, on the identity of the absconding parties being proved. The process is summary, and not a trial by Jury. For the benefit of fugitive negro slaves, a majority of the Northern States have passed laws to prevent this summary process. But they have never passed any such laws for the benefit of absconding white men. All such acts are, however, plainly unconstitutional, for according to the Constitution, the process is on claim, or summary. In relation to the fugitive fi'om labor clause. Judge Story says : " This clause was intro- duced into the Constitution, solely for the benefit of the slaveholding States, to enable them to reclaim their fugitive slaves, who should escape into other States, where slavery is not tolerated." In 1793, Congress passed a special act to give efiiciency to this fugitive slave clause of the Constitution. This bill was signed by Washington, and known as the "Jirst fugitive-slave laiv." Another fugitive-slave law Was passed in 1850. Soon after the passage of this last fugitive- slave law, a large majority of the North- ern States passed acts nullifying not only both of these acts of Congress, but this fugitive-slave clause of the Constitution as well. Indeed, with the excep- tion of New Jersey and Illinois, we think every North- ern State has been guilty of this n idlification. There was, some years ago, a fearful excitement in the North, when South Carolina riullified a single act of Congress, on the alleged ground of its unconstitu- tionality. But the Northern States have nuUified two acts of Congress, and a clause of the Constitution ba-t^ si[4f|i- Ift.piost-pl the,,|5fo?therijt^tateA;thiese actsof/ 64 NOTES ON Congress were resisted by combinations of armed men, and in many instances blood was shed. All this time the South was earnestly pleading with the North to respect the Constitution and obey the laws. The North answered her with jeers, defiance and threats. Societies were formed in every Northern city, for the purpose of stealing the property of the Southern States, and of resisting, with force of arms, the en- forcement of the Constitution and the laws in relation to slavery. This warfare did the North carry on against the property and Constitutional rights of the South for a third of a century, before the South was driven into the desperate steps of secession. Section 3. 1 , New States may be admitted by the Con- gress into this' 'Union ; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State ; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States ; or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislature of the States concerned as well as the Con- gress. NOTE. Mr. Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty, which says that one tenth of the number of inhabitants of States, may organize new State Governments, is a criminal violation of this clause of the Constitution. And THE CONSTITUTION. 65 •what makes it still worse, if degrees of crime can be applied to such a monstrouB wrong, is the fact that the oiie tenth may not be citizens of the States to be so re-organized — they may all be the creatures of the President, camp followers, or parasites from the North. The one tenth is to be counted by the officers in the army. Another violation of this clause is the act of Congress creating a new State out of the territory of the State of Virginia. Mr. Stevens of Pennsylvania declared that he " was not going to stultify himself by claiming that this act is Constitutional. We know that it was not Constitu- tional, but it is necessary." 2. The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting tbe Territory of other Property be- longing to tbe United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State. Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Gov- ernment, and shall protect each of them against Invasion ; and on Application of the Legisla- 66 NOTES ON ture, or of the Executive (when tlie Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. By the last clause of the third Section of this Arti- cle, it is declared that the power of Congress over the territories of the United States shall not be construed to the prejudice of any particular State. The South has contended that^ under this clause of the Constitu- tion, Congress has no power to pass a law excluding the property rights of any of the States from the territories belonging to the United States ; and that therefore slavery could not be excluded by act of Congress. The South furthermore claims that, as, by the old French law, slavery existed in all the terri- tories of the Louisiana purchase, and as such laws were never repealed, slavery already exists there, and must be of binding effect until repealed by the sover- eign acts of States formed out of said territory. On this subject the Constitution and the law are evidently with the claim of the South. Such has always been the doctrine of the supreme court and the democratic party. The idea that Congress has a right to banish the property mstitutions of the Southern States, from the common territory of the United States is of a very modern date, and is clearly in opposition to the Con- stitution. In this fourth Section it is declared that the Fed- eral Government shall guarantee every State a Republican form of government. Mr. Lincoln and his party have disreguarded this clause in even THE CONSTITUTION. G7 every Northern State. Almost avery attribute of a republican form of government have they swept away, a*nd to the shame of the people of these States have they submitted to a despotism more insulting than the tyranny that has made Austria and Turkey by- words among the free peoples of the earth. ARTICLE V. The Congress, whenever two thirds of Loth Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Ap- plication of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for pro- posing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legisla- tures of three-fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of Katification may be proposed by the Congress ; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year one thousand eio^ht hundred and eicrht shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article ; and that no State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate. NOTE. .Two thirds of the States, not two thirds of the peo- 68 KOTES ON pie, can call a convention. And so three quarters of the States, not three quarters of the people, can alter the Constitution. This is a further proof of the abso- lute sovereignty of the States. The power to alter or abolish is in their hands as sovereign bodies, and not in the hands of the people at large. The people at large, as consolidated in a national Government, are no where recognized in this Constitution. There is no such body politic known to this Constitution as TJw National Government. As shown in another place, when a resolution was offered in the Constitu- tional Convention, that " a national Government ought to be formed," it was rejected, and a resolution passed, to form a government of " the United States." Ours is a government of Confederated States, of States united voluntarily, for the benefit of the States, and for no other purpose. The States which made this Union, can unmake it, and form another, or re- main apart as they were previous to the first Con- federation, according to the form of proceeding provi- ded for in this Fifth Article of the Constitution. A Convention so called, would possess all the powers of the original Convention that formed the Consti- tution. Many have earnestly urged the propriety of calling such a convention to settle our unhappy difficulties. Both the President and Congress have usurped the powers which belong alone to such a Convention. The issues which fanaticism have forced upon the country, are beyond the lawful reach of the Executive and Congress. They concern the organic character of the Union, and can only be properly dealt with by the original and undelegated powers of the States. "Why has the Administration THE CONSTITUTION. 69 SO bitterly and so spitefully rejected every proposi- tion for the convention provided for in this article of the Constitution ? Do they fear that such a conven- tion would devise some plan to stop this horrible shedding of blood, and restore the Union to the exact basis on which it was originally formed ? The malice with which they pursue the advocates of a Constitu- tional Convention, is proof that they dare not sub- mit the issues to the just and lawful authority of the States so assembled in general convention, as provi- ded for in this article. SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITU- Tioisr. AETICLE VI. 1. All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Con- stitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation. 2. This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof ; and all Treaties made, or which shall 70 NOTES ON be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land ; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 3. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Offi- cers, both of the United States and of the seve- ral States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirma- tion, to support this Constitution ; but no relig- ious Test shall ever be required as a Qualifica- tion to any Office or public Trust under the United States. NOTE. The Constitution and all laws made in pursuance thereof shall be the Supreme law of the land ; that is, they are supreme within their limits. The Constitution is the paramount law of the land ; and cannot be altered by Congress, by the Executive, nor by the Supreme Court, nor by any other power, except that of the States which made it. In this sense it is supreme— to be obeyed by all. Congress, the Supreme Court, and the President, derive all their powers from the grant of the States contained in the Constitution. An act of Congress not done in pur- suance of or in agreement with the Constitution is null. [See 8. Dallas Report 399.] For the same THE CONSTITUTION, 71 reason all orders or proclamations by the President not authorized by the Constitution are binding upon nobody. The original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court can be neither abridged nor enlarged by an act of Congress, nor by any order from the President, because the Constitution is the supreme law. Neither can the Constitution or laws of any of the States be so altered as to conflict with the powers which the States themselves "delegated" or "granted" in the Federal Constitution, for the "general wel- fare." The States have delegated the exercise of certain powers to the Federal Government, to be used for the general welfare of all the States, and by this instrument or grant they bind themselves to take no steps individually to exercise the powers which they have commissioned the Federal Government to em- ploy for the benefit of the whole. It is precisely of the nature of a compact between a number of individuals who go into business together, and for the common interest of the firm they appoint a general agent, with full powers to act in certain specified matters for the firm, each agreeing not to act in those specified matters except through the said general agent. Such is the nature of this clause of the Constitution in which the States bound themselves not to pass laws conflicting with the powers which they mu- tually confided to the Federal Government in the Con- stitution. 72 NOTES ON OF RATIFICATION. ARTICLE VII. Tlie Ratification of tlie Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratify- ing the Same. Done in Convention by the Unanimous con- sent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty- seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto sub- scribed our Names GEORGE WASHINGTON, President^ and deputy from Virginia, NEW HAMPSHIRE. John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. MASSACHUSETTS. Nathaniel Goeham, Rufus King. THE CONSTITUTION. 73 CONNECTICUT. Wm. Saml. Johnson, Roger Sherman. NEW YORK. Alexander Hamilton. NEW JERSEY. WiL. Livingston, David Breaelet, Wm. Paterson, J. Dayton. PENNSYLVANIA. B. Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymee, Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris. DELAWARE. George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom. MARYLAND. [ifer, James M 'Henry, Dan. of St. Thos. Jen- Daniel Carrol. VIRGINIA. J. Blair, James Madison, Jr. 74 NOTES ON JSTOETH CAROLINA. William Blount, Rich'd Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson. SOUTH OAROLmA. John Rutledge, Charles C. Pinokney, Chaeles Pincknet, Pierce Butler. GEORGIA. William Few, Abraham Baldwin, Attest : WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. NOTE. It was first resolved that " if seven States, whose votes in the first branch should amount to a majority of the representation in that branch, concur in the adoption of the system, it should be sufficient." This proposition met with a decided opposition from Luther Martin and others, on the ground that a mi- nority of States could not be bound by the action of a majority in forming or disclosing a Constitution — . " that, in originally forming a Constitution, it was necessary that every individual should agree to it, to become bound thereby ; and that when once adopted, it could not be dissolved without the consent of every individual who was party to the original agreement." This line of remark was adopted by those who were really opposed to the new Constitution. The THE CONSTITUTION. 75 Union of these States was first formed in 1778, by the adoption of Articles of Confederation between the thirteen Colonies. The 1st article of this Con- federation declared, " The style of this Confederacy shall be, the United States of Ameeica." And the closing paragraph of these articles sets forth that, " the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the States we respectively represent, and that the Union shall he perpetual^ It lasted just, ten years, when nine States seceded by adopting our j)resent Constitution. In opposing this dissolution of the Union made under the articles of Confederation, Luther Martin said — "It is a part of the compact made and entered into., in the most solemn manner, that there should be no dissolution or alteration of the Federal Government, without the consent of every State, the members of and parties to, the origi- nal compact ; that, therefore, no alteration could be made by a consent of a part of these States, which would either release the States so consenting from the obligation they are under to the other States, or which would in any manner become obligatory upon those States that should not ratify such alterations.' The decided stand taken by Mr. Martin and seconded by other powerful names, led to the adoption of the plan of this la»t article, that the ratification of the new Constitution by nine States should be sufficient for the formation of a new Union " between the States so ratifying the same." States refusing to ratify the new Constitution, were neither bound by it nor by any acts of the new Congress. They remained to all intents what they were before the Union was formed- It was a long time before North Carolina and Bhodo 76 NOTES ON Island adopted the Constitution. Eleven States Iiad seceded from the old Union and entered into a new compact. To this new Union, these two non-ratify- ing States were, in all particulars, as foreign coun- tries, and were so regarded and so treated, until they adopted the new articles of compact. It was the right of sovereign States to accept or reject this Con- stitution. There was not a man then in the whole country who had the hardihood to declare that a mi- nority of the States should be coerced into a Union with the majority. The Union was formed, as we have seen, upon the voluntary basis, and any attempt made to change it to an involuntary basis, would tend to subvert and destroy, not only the form, but also the principles of government established by our fathers. It would be a war upon liberty. A war upon the sacred principle of self-government. AMENDMENTS. TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, EATI- FIED ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIFTH ARTICLE OF THE FOREGOING CONSTITUTION. AKTICLE I. Congress shall make no law respecting an es- THE CONSTITUTION. 77 tablisliment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press ; or the right of the peo- ple peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. NOTE. The amendments to the Constitution may be re- garded as partaking of the character of a Bill of Rights. The extreme jealousy of the people, who had just come out of a prolonged and bloody struggle for the estabhshment of their independence and freedom, made them hesitate to adopt the Constitution until they had every guarantee that it could never be con- strued to impart powers to the general government which might one day be turned against the States. When the Convention of Massachusetts ratified the Constitution, they suggested nine amendments to it, for the following reason : *' And it is the opinion of this convention, that cer- tain amendments and alterations in the Constitution, would remove the fears, and quiet the apprehensions of many of tJie good people of this commomvealth, and more effectiiaUy guard against any undue administration of tlie federal government, the convention do therefore re- commend, that the folloMang alterations and pro- visions be introduced into the said Constitution." It was to guard against the undue administration of the federal government that the amendments were recommended. Among these recommendations was the one embraced in Article tenth of these amend- 78 NOTES ON ments. All the States evinced tlie same solicitude in relation to the danger of the federal government at- tempting to exercise powers not granted in the Con- stitution. The perfect right of self-government, or of State Government was a great and absorbing object with those who framed and with those who accepted the federal Constitution. The first sentence, however, in the Article First of these amendments, forbiding Congress to make any law respecting religion, gave much offence to a very great number of the clergy. They declared that this Article " voted God out of the Constitution." The freedom of speech and of the press guaranteed in this Article is a right so sacred that none but the most desperate or reckless of tyrants has dared to destroy it. To deny a man this freedom, is to at- tempt the subjugation of his mental life. None but a demoralized and debased people ever submitted to an abridgement of this right. In the old republics of Greece, thought and speech were always free. Words, were revenged only by words. It is for this reason that the literature of Greece is so full of force, nobility, and genius. And Greece gave these great lessons of freedom to the Roman Kepublic. The laws of Rome only restrained deeds. Writing and speaking were free, even for a long time after the Republic fell. Caesar permitted the largest liber- ty of speaking and writing. Even his own soldiers sung the most revolting scandals about him up and down the lines of the army without punishment. His successor, Augustus, was equally tolerant of the utmost liberty of speaking and writing. Said he, THE CONSTITUTION. 79 „ Let us not puuisli words but deeds. Let all men's words be free." Even Tiberius declared : ''in a free State, speech and tliouglit, word and feeling must be free." Such was the character of the Roman people at that time, that their rulers were forced to yield gracefully this boon of free speech. None but a depraved people will long consent to the loss of this freedom. The freedom of the press in England has been in one way and another guarantied ever since the reign of WilHam III. But it has often had to struggle hard against the arbitrary power of cor- rupt rulers. Since the election of Mr. Lincoln, the freedom of speech and of the press in this country has depended entirely upon the caprice of the Presi- dent, or the whim or malice of his Secretaries, Pro- vost Marshals, and Generals. There has been a total disregard and contempt of this Article of the Constitution. The excuses that have been made for the violation of the organic law of the land are pre- cisely such as are always made by usurpers and tyrants for similar deeds. How unaccountably have the people submitted ! It looks as though some foul fiend had bewitched the public. When the President threw away his oath of office, the people seem also to have thrown away their manhood. Congress has passed several acts designed to destroy the virtue of this Article. But as all acts of Congress done in vio- lation of the Constitution are nul and void ; these acts are not laivs. The Constitution is the supreme law. To that let the people hold fast, and by that let them judge of the character and deserts of those in office. Men have been seized even in New York for having had a respectful petition to Congress found in their 80 ■ NOTES ON possession. Public assemblies of peaceable and law abiding citizens have been dispersed in almost every State by the bayonets of soldiers, acting by the order of provost marshals, who receive the inspiration of their lawless deeds from jthe fountain head at Wash- ington. ARTICLE IL A well regulated Militia, Being "necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the peo-. pie to keep and bear Arms, shall not be^ in- fringed In his comments on this Article, Chief Justice Story says — " One of the ordinary modes, by which tyrants accomplish their purposes, is, by disarming the people, and making it an offence to keep arms, and by substituting a regular army in the stead of the mihtia. The friends of a free government cannot be too watchful to overcome the dangerous tendency of the public mind to sacrifice, for the sake of mere pri- vate convenience, this powerful check upon the de- signs of ambitious men. * ^' The militia is the Qatural defence of a free country against sudden for- eign invasions, domestic insurrections, and domestic usurpations of poiver hy rulers.'''' The present ad- ministration has violated this article of the Consti- tution in every particular. It has, in a great many instances, disarmed the people by forcibly entering their houses and seizing their arms of every descrip- THE CONSTITUTION. 81 tioB. It has sent overwlielming numbers of United, States soldiers into peaceable and law-abiding com- munities, to overawe the people, and render the militia ineffectual for the preservation of the peace and the protection of the citizens. In a word, it has substi- tuted United States soldiery for the militia. It is said that there are at the present time (March 1864) over twenty thousand United States troops regularly sta- tioned in the city of New York. The Governor, to his shame be it spoken, makes no protest against this invasion of the State on the part of the Federal Ad- ministration. The city of New York is virtually un- der mihtary law. If the General commanding these troops does not plunge every citizen into a bastile, it is only because it does not suit his whim or caprice of the moment. The same power by which he seizes one, menaces the liberty of all. The pres- ence of such a United States force uninvited by the State Executive, is a violation of both the Federal and State Constitutions, and ought not to be submit- ted to a single hour by the authorities of the State. The militia is the only military force the laws aUow in a State, unless United States troops are sent there in response to the call of the Governor or Legislature of the State. Again, Congress has passed an act (the conscription) which tends to annihilate the State JVEilitia to such an extent as to leave the States com- pletely at the mercy of the Federal army. AH these acts are revolutionary, and violative of the Constitu- tion, This Second Ai-ticle of the Amendments, is a restriction upon the powers of Congress, and which is contumaciously disregarded in the Act here re- feiTed to. 82 NOTES on ARTICLE III. No Soldier shall, m time of peace be quar- tered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.' NOTE. The idea, that in time of war soldiers may be used to violate the laws of the land is effectually answered by this Article. In a free country soldiers are never to be used except " in a manner prescribed by law," much less are they to be used to violate the organic laws of the land. This Article of the Constitution has been not only disreguarded, but it has been vio- lated by the Administration in a most cruel and de- spotic manner, in every one of the border States. Its violations in those States, is, as a principle just as bad as its violation in every State would be. The fate of one may be the fate of all. There are portions of the States of Missouri and Kentucky, where the property of law-abiding citizens has been entirely de- stroyed during this war. But it is said they were sus- pected of ha^sdng sympathies with the South. If they had, it was not a crime by the laws of this country. And even if it had been a crime, soldiers are not the judges of the laws. They are to be employed only "in a manner prescribed by law." The law is x^ara- mount, and soldiers can be used only in its just and THE CONSTITUTION. 83 faithful execution. The using of tliem for any other purpose, or in any other manner is a high crime on the part of all concerned in the transactions. ARTICLE IV. The right of the j)eople to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against un- reasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants sball issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirma- tion, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. NOTE. By this Article, aU general warrants for searching or seizing persons, property, or papers, without par- ticularly describing the object of the process, and the person and plea to be searched, is made unconstitu- tional. The arbitrary and tyrannical use of genera •warrants, was one of the complaints of our fathers against the government of Great Britain ; and it was their design in this Constitution, to secure themselves and thek children for all time against such abuses of power. The provisions of this Article are : 1st, That no searches or seizures shall be made upon the peo- ple in consequence of mere rumor, or unfounded sus- picions. 2d, That even where there are good and sufficient grounds to suspect either an accomplished 84 NOTES ON or an intended wrong, no search or seizure can be made witliout a loarrant, definitely setting forth the parties and places to be searched. 3d, No warrant can be issued to seize a person or search a place, ex- cept on the oath or affirmation of parties hnowing the existence of wrong. In all these particulars, the present Administration has violated this Article in many instances. Peaceable and unoffending citi- zens have been searched and seized without the oath and warrant here prescribed. AKTICLE Y. Ko person shall be held to answer for a capi- tal, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury^ except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger ; nor shall any person be . object for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall be compelled in any Criminal Case to be a wit- ness against himself, nor be deprived of life, lib- erty, or property, without due process of law ; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. NOTE. The important guarantees of this Article are ; 1st., THE CONSTITUTION. 85 That no person who is not in the land or naval ser- vice, or in the militia in actual service shall he held to answer for any crime "except on presentment or indictment of a Grand Jiirij''' Thus an order from Mr. Stanton, fr'om Mr. Seward, or any other high official, to seize a man, who is not in the army or navy, is of no more binding effect -than such an order would be from the poorest negro in the land. A j^arty not in the military or naval service, is under no more obligations to respect such an order than if it came from the sub- terranean den of a bandit. Such is the law. Any party attempting to seize the person of another on such an order, or without the order of some civil court, is liable to be punished on the spot, in any manner which the assailed party believes to be neces- sary for his personal safety, and may afterwards be prosecuted both in a civil and criminal suit. 2. Every man is here guaranteed against the loss of liberty or property, luithoid due process of laio. This clause is a restriction not only upon the authorized administra- tors of the laws, but more especially upon Congress — forbidding them to entrust power over the liberties, property or lives of the citizens to military officers in command, and also forbidding them to confiscate the estates of individuals without the formality of trial " hij due process of laio.'" The object of the clause is to rescue a man from the loss of his property by un- principled acts of legislation. The Confiscation bill, passed by the last Congress, is clearly a violation of this clause of the Constitution, since it confiscates property " withoid due process, and without trial in the civil courts according to the forms of law in such cases provided. Congress is here restrained from 86 . KOTBS ON passing all such acts. Property seized by this act is no more legally seized than if it were stolen by the soldiers for their own private benefit. It is plunder in either case. ARTICLE YI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused sliall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascer- tained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining Witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. NOTE. In this short Article there are not less than nine safeguards to the rights and personal security of the citizens. 1. In all criminal cases, the accused is guaranteed a speedy trial. 2. His trial is to be puh~ lie. 3. It is to be an impartial jury. 4. The trial is to be in the State and district where the crime was committed. 5. This district shall be previously as- ceiiained by law. 6. The accused is to be informed of tine cbccusation against him. 8. He is to have process to ohtain tvitness in his favor. 9 He is to have the as- sistance of counsel in his defence. Mr. Lincoln has, in THE CONSTITUTION. 87 a great many instances, violated this Article of the Constitution in all these particulars. He has denied his victims a speedy trial, but has kept them incarcera- ted in vermin-infested dungeons for weary months, and even years, without any sort of trial, contrary to the Constitution. He has, even when he consented to allow a trial, refused it to be public, but has conducted it in secret without allowing the accused to be present, contrary to the Constitution. He has refused them trial by impartial jury, but has tried them by partial and irresponsible commis- sions, contrary to the Constitution. He has dragged them away from their own State and district, far off into distant States, to imprison and try them, contrary to the Constitution. He has refused to inform his victims of the nature of the accusation against them, but has maintained a vicious silence to all their entreaties to know what they were accused of, contrary to the Constitution. He has refused to confront them with the witnesses against them, contrary to the Constitution. He has refused all process to obtain witnesses in their favor, contrary to the Constitution. He has refused to allow them counsel for their de- fence ; but has caused orders to be read in his bas- tiles, to the effect that " if any prisoner attempted to obtain counsel, it would be regarded a cause for fur- ther detention." If these things had been done in Austria or in Turkey, we should have thought them monstrous; but here, in this land of boasted freedom, they are abominable beyond human imagination. Surely it is NOTES ON 8q not a wonder that those who have been guilty of these crimes, are opposed to '^tlie Constitution as it is /* for, if that Constitution is not destroyed, the doom of the felon fixedly stares them in the face. There is not a district in the United States through which they can pass, without confronting victims to whom the law gives the right of arresting them by both criminal and civil process. This Constitution was made for the purpose of punishing all such violations of right and liberty. ARTICLE VII. la suits at common law, where the value m controversy shall exceed twenty dollaz's, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and. no fact tried by a jury shall be" otherwise re- examined in any Court of the United States, than according to rules of the common lav?. ARTICLE VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor ex- cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. NOTE. No excessive fines nor cruel and unusual punish- ments are allowed by this Constitution. As it is not 89 NOTES ON stated what are excessive fines and unusual punishments^ we must construe them to be such as would violate the general spirit and character of this Constitution, Avhich was formed, among other things, for the i)ro- tection of the weak from the unjust power of the strong. Even the criminal has her rights, and is not to be touched, except according to law. Excessive fines and unusual punishments are forbidden. For instance, if a man is guilty of the crime of theft, he can not be stript of all his property, and his family beggared and made wretched thereby. Or if he com- mits murder, the State can not take possession of all his property, and thereby drive his family to starva- tion or pauperism. If Congress were to pass an act to confiscate the property of every murderer, so as to deprive his family of the benefit of it, such act would be null, being unconstitutional. The property of a traitor can not be confiscated for a longer period than his own life. At his death it goes to his family or heirs, and any act of Congress to the contrary, would be null. Bail in every shape has been refused. Con- fiscation of all the property of the accused has taken place ; and much cruelty has been practiced against ]3olitical prisoners who have been immured in forti- fication prisons, away from home and kindred. ARTICLE IX. The enumeration in the Constitution, of cer- tain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. THE CONSTITUTION. 90 NOTE. Chief Justice Story says that, " The object of this clause is to get rid of a very common but perverse misapplication of a known maxim, that an affirmation of a power in particular cases, implies a negation of it in all other cases." This Ninth Article of the Amendments, is another proof of the extreme jealousy of the States that the Federal Government might, at the instance of a usurping President or a recreant Congress, sometime attempt the exercise of powers not granted in the Constitution. Our fathers sup- posed that they had, in these Amendments, rendered it impossible for the Federal Government to misun- derstand its powers. And so they had. It is impos- sible to believe that the violations of the Constitution by this Administration are the result of misunder- standing ; they come from a deliberate and settled determination to destroy the Constitution and sub- vert the sovereignty of the States. The position of the Administration is an error, it is a crime. AETIOLE X, The power not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respect- ively, or to the people. NOTE. This Amendment simply follows out, or re-affirms 91 NOTES ON the object of tlie preceding. It fixes tlie rule by which the Constitution shall be interpreted. If, at any time, a doubt arises as to the powers of the Fede- ral Government in any case, all that is necessary to determine the matter, is to recur to the Constitution and see if the subject matter was delegated to the Government of the United States, or not. For in- stance, the Federal Congress has passed a conscrip- tion act which puts the service and life of every citi- zen between certain ages, into the hands of the President without the consent of the State to which he belongs. Now, if we turn to the Constitution, we find that the States never delegated such a power to the Federal Government. Every man thus seized, is hidnapped, in the eye of the law, and if the courts and laws are ever restored to their old Constitutional foundations, they may arrest or prosecute all the par- ties concerned in their abduction. The President, and every Provost Marshal or other officer engaged in executing this act, are lia,ble in damages to all the persons thus seized by them and dragged from their business and their homes. A power not delegated to the Federal Government in the Constitution, belongs to the States or the people ; and whoever attempts to enforce in the name of the Federal Government an undelegated power, is liable to punishment. ARTICLE XI. The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or THE CONSTITUTION. 92 equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. NOTE. This article sets bounds to the Supreme Court of the United States. Commenting on this Article, Judge Upshur says — "It will be conceded on all hands that the Federal Courts have no jurisdiction except what is here conferred. The Judiciary, as a part of the Federal Government, derives its powers only from the Constitution which creates that Gov- ernment." Hence it is evident that the Federal Courts have jurisdiction, only over such matters as were delegated to the Federal Government by the States ; over all other matters, the State Courts retain jurisdiction. Judge Upshur further says — " There is no part of the Constitution in which the framers of it have displayed a more jealous care of the rights of the States, than in the limitations of judicial power. It is remarkable that no power is conferred, except what is absolutely necessary to carry into effect the general design, and accomplish the general object of the States, as independent Confederated States. The federal tribunals cannot take cognizance of any case whatever, in which all the States have not an equal and common interest that a just and impartial de- cision shall be had." The rule is that the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, are final in all cases in which the subject matter was delegated to the Federal Government by the States ; and the 93 NOTES ON decisions of the supreme judicial autliority of the States, are final over all cases in which the subject matter was retained by the States. For instance — this Congress has passed an act abolishing slavery in the States ; but the Supreme Court cannot pronounce such an act constitutional, because it has no jviris- diction over the question, as the subject matter is not found among the delegated powers of Congress. In this matter the decisions of the S'ate Courts are final, and it is competent for them to pass and execute sen- tence upon the President, and all parties engaged in the business of freeing slaves. The late act of Con- gress, removing certain cases from the State Courts to the Federal Courts, the same being cases in which the subject matter was never delegated to the Federal Government, is a gross violation of the Constitution, and every State judge whb has acquiesced in such a proceeding, has rendered himself liable to impeach- ment by the legislature of his State. Such action on the part of the State judges, must be charged to cor- ruiotlon, because it must be evident to every judge that, as the original jurisdiction of the Federal Courts is fixed by the Constitution, it cannot be lessened nor enlarged by Congress. AKTICLE XII. The electors shall meet in tlieir respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with them- THE CONSTITUTION. 94: selves ; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the Govern- ment of the United States, directed to the Presi- dent of the Senate ; — the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certifi- cates, and the votes shall then be counted ; — the person having the greatest number of votes for President sball be the President, if such num- bers be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the high- est numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Eep- resentatives shall choose immediately, by ballot the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the represen- tation from each State having one vote ; a quo- rum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a 95 NOTES ON majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disa- bility of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a ma- jority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President ; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no j)erson constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice- President of the United States, CONCLUDING- REMABKS, Whoever studies this Constitution candidly will be impressed with the enormity of the crimes of the present administration, not only in assuming powers not delegated, but even in extending and perverting those which were. It should be realized that the destruction of this Constitution, carries with it the destruction of the Union. There is no Union except as formed by the Constitution. Those who are not in favor of this Constitution just as it is, in all particu- lars, are opposed to the Union. The effort to enforce the abstract opinions of one section, against the Con- stitutional rights of the other is an act of disunion, in- asmuch as it breaks the only bond of which the Union was formed. IISTDEX Constitution of the United States. ABREVIATIONS USED I.Y THE REFERENCES. Art. — Adicle. &«. — Seciloyi. C!.— Clause. Amend. — Amendmerd. Frcam. — Preanible. A. PACK. Accounts, public, to bo published. Art. I, Ssc. 9, CI. 7 39 Adjournment of Congress. Art. II, sec, 3, 53 AdmlraLt}', jurisdiction. See Judicial Power Admission of new States into the Union. Art. IV. sec. 3, cL 1. .Gi Ambassadors, appointment of. Art. II, sec. 2, cl. 2 51 receiving of. Art. II, sec. 3 53 protection and rights of. Art. Ill, sec. 2, cl. 1 56 suits by and against. Art. HI, sec. 2, cl. 2 56 Amendments of Constitution. Art. V. G7 Appellate jurisdiction. See Judicial Power Appointments to office by President and Senate. Art. II, sec. 2, cl. 2 51 ia case of vacancies. Ai-t. II, sec. 2, cl. 3 52 of representatives. Art. 1, sec. 2, cL 3. 10 n. PAGE. Appropriations of money. Art. I, Sec. 9, cl. 7 39 Arms, right to bear. Amend. Art. II 80 Army, power to raise and support. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 12 29 Arrests of Members of Congress. Art. I, sec. G, cl. 1 17 Arts and Sciences, promotion of. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 8 28 Attainder, prohibition of, by Congress. Art. I, sec. 9, cl. 3 38 effects of, in treason. Art. Ill, sec. 3, cl. 2 , , 59 Authors, copyright of. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 8 28 B. Bail, excessive, prohibited. Amend. Ai-t. VIII 88 Bankruptcy, power of Congress over. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 4 24 Bills of attainder, prohibition of. Art. — , sec. 10, cl. 1 41 Bills of credit. Art. I, sec. 10, cl. 1 41 Borrovr' money, power of Congress to. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 3 23 Bribery, impeachment for. Art. II, sec. 4 , 53 c. Capitation tax, power to lay. Art. I, sec. 9, cl. 4 89 Captures, regulation of. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 11 .29 Cases, what are within Judicial Power. Art. Ill, sec. 2, cl. 1 .... 56 Census, when taken. Art. 1, sec. 2, cl. 3 10 Cessions, for seat of government, &c. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 17 34 Citizens of the States, &c. Art. IV, sec. 2, cl. 1 62 Citizens of the United States. Art. II. sec. 1, cl. 4 45 Coinage, power of Congress. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 5 24 counterfeiting. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 6 26 Commerce, power of Congress to regulate. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 3, . . 23 no power given to one State over another. Art. I, sec. 9, cl. 6 39 m. r^GE Common defence. Preamble 5 Common law suits. Amend. Art. YIH 88 Compensation for property taken for public use. Amend. Art V 84 Congress of the United States. Art. I, sec. 1 9 shall assemble once a year. Art. I, sec. 4, cl. 2 IG legislative powers vested in. Art. 1, sec. 1 9 membership. Art. I, sec. 5, cl. 1 16 quorum in each House. Art. 1, sec. 5, cl. 1 9 adjournment. Art — , sec. 5, cl. 4 17 compensation for services, &c. Art. I, sec. 6, cl. 1 17 Constitution of the United States, purposes of. Pream 5 oath to support. Art. VI, cl. 3 70 Crimes, how presented and tried. Art. Ill, sec. 2, cl. 3 57 D. Death, or removal from office of Prepident. Art. IT, sec. 1, cl. 5.. 46 Debts, contracted before the adoption of Constitution. Art. VI, cl. 1 69 District of Columbia. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 17 34 Domestic tranquility, to insure. Pream 5 E. Election of President and Vice President. Amend. Art. XII — 93 45 43 83 Electors. Art. II, sec. 1, cl. 3 Art. II, sec. 1, cl. 2 Excessive bail prohibited. Amend. Art. VTU Export duty, &c. Art I, sec. 9, cL 5 Ex post facto law. Art I, sec. 10, cl. 1 '11 IV. F. Freedom of speeeh and of the press. Amend. Art. 1 77 Fugitives from justice. Article IV, sec. 2, cl. 2 62 Fugitive slaves. Art. IV, sec. 2, cl. 3 62. Grand Jury. Amend. Art. V 84 H. Habeas Corpus. Art. I, sec. 9, cl. 2 .37 House of Representatives. Art. 1, sec. 2, cl. 1, 9 choosing officers, &c. Art. I, sec. 2, cl. 5 11 ■whom it represents. Note Iff I. Impeachment. Art. I, sec. 2, cl. 5 11 trial of, in the Senate. Art. I, sec. 3, cl. 6 14 when President is tried. Art. I, sec. 3, cl. 6 14 who are liable to. Art. II, sec. 4 53 judgment in cases of limited. Art. 1, sec. 3, cl. 7 15 Indictments. Art. I, sec. 3, cl. 7 15 Inventors, Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 8 28 Imposts. Art. I, sec. 10, cl. 2 .42 Y. J. FAGS. Judges of the State?. Art. VI, cl. 2 '. 69 teni^re of. Art. Ill, sec. 1, cl. 1 56 compensatic n of. Art. Ill, sec. 1 , cl. 1 56 Judicial power of the U. S. Art. Ill, sec. 2, cl. 1 56 appellate jurisdiction. Art- III, sec. 2, cl. 2 cannot apply to estate. Amend. Art. XI 21 Judge Upshur's comments. Note 92 L. Legislative powers. Art. I, sec. 1 9 Liberty, the object of the Union. Pream 5 M. Migration or importation. Art. I, sec. 9, cL 1 36 Money. Art. 1, sec. 9, cl. 7 39 Militia. Amend. Art. 11 8 Chief Justice Story on. Note 80 power of Congress over. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 15 30 States to officer and train. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 16 3S ) when lawfully used by the U. S. Note 30 N. Naturalization. Art. I, sec. 8, cL 4 24 Navy. Art. I, sec. 8, cl. 13 30 Nobility, no title of allowed. Art. I, sec. 9, cl. 8 41 YI. o. FACE Or.th of tlie President. Art. II, sec. 1, cl. 7 41 to support the Constitution, by whom taken. Art. YI, cl. 3.70 Officers of the U. S. not to receive presents. Art. I, sec. 9, cl. 8.. 41 P. People of the United States. The meaning of explained. Note... G reiition cf right. Amend. Art. I 7G Powers, not delegated. Amend. Art. X 90 President, when commander-in-chief of the army, &c. Art. II, sec 2, cl, 1 4G President's powers. Art. II, sec. 2, cl. 2 51 Private property. Amend. Art. V , 8i Q. Qualifications of representatives. Art. I, sec. 2, cl. 2 10 of a Senator. Art. I, sec. 3, cl. 3 14 of President. Art. II, sec. 1, cl. 4 45 of Vice-President. Amend. Art. XII. 93 Quorum. Art. I, sec. 5, cl. 1 16 E. liepresentatives and direct taxes. Art. I, sec. 2, cl. 3 10 Republican form cf government guaranteed to every State. Art. IV, sec. 4 65 Keligious tests not allowed. Art. YI, cl. 3 70 Ratification of the Constitution. Art. YII 72 Revenue bills. Art. I, sec. 7, cl. 1 15 Right of Petition. Amend. Art. 1 70 Right of search and seizure. Amend. Art. IV 83 Right of trial by jury. Amend. Art. I 88 Rule of construction. Amend. Art. IX 89 YH. s. P4GB. Senate, has sole power to try impeachment. Art. I, sec. 3, d. C.l'f Senators, how, and by whom chosen. Art. I, sec. 3, cl. 1 12 temporary vacancies filled, Art. I, sec. 3, cl. 2 i4 Soldiers. Amend. Art. Ill 82 States to be protected from invasion. Art. IV, sec. 4 65- States, new admitted into the Union, Art. IV, sec. 3, cl. 1 64 Supremacy of the constitution, &c. Art. VI, cl. 2 69 T. Taxes, power Congress to lay. Art. I, sec. 8, ol. 1 21 how apportioned. Art. T, sec. 9, cl. 4 39 Treason, definition of. Art. Ill, sec. 3, cl. 1 58 punishment of, Art. Ill, sec. 3, cl. 2 59 Treasmy. Art. I, sec. 10, cl. 2 42 money drawn from. Art. I, sec. 9, cl. 7 31 Treaty-making power. Art. U, sec. 2, cl. 2 51 u. Union — ^why formed. Pream .,, B V. Vacancies in the House. Art. I, sec. 2, cl. 4 ^ . . 11 in the Senate. Art. I, sec. 3, cl. 2 14 which President may fill. Art. II, sec. 2, cl. 3 in ofiice of President, &c. Art. II, sec. 1, cl. 5 46 Veto. Art. I, sec. 7, cl. 2 20 Vice President ; how chosen. Amend. Art. XII, cl, 2 24 vni. PAGE- Witness, no person compelled to be against himself. Amend. Art. V 8 accused allowed. Amend. Art. V 86 Y. Yeas and Nays to be entered on journal. Art, I, sec. 5, el. 3 17 to be taken on all bills returned by President. Art. I, sec. 7, cl. 2 20 OR, HUMOUS OF TIN OLli: ^BE. " That reminds me of a Little Story." BY ANDEEW ADDERUP, SPEINGFIELD, ILL. CONTENTS. Involuntary Black Republican Wiong 1 ig by the ear. WUore docs Old Abe Lincoln livef Too Literal Obrdirnce. Kow Uncle Abo felt. P. P. P. P>iiltancd for a rat joke. flute House struck with Whiggery. Graphic, but Iriic. A Judge (if the Post Office. I'm an Indcrlid. Ihiw Abe got his Pohriquet. I'll take No. 11 loo. A 8evcre Retort. Had all the Time there was. Coiihl stand it for a Day or Two. Not the worst of it. Accoutred en Militnire. Couldn't nialvc a ■ rcgidrntial chair. Coul tn't see it in that Light. Too tough for the Rcbcl.s. JLtc helped by au Illustration. Au Acre of Fight Ihicle Abe vs. Uypters. Ksryplian Snake Story. Why Abe made a Biigadier. Uncle Abe puzzled. Uncle Abe divided on a question. Tried for scaring the girls. Thank God for the S^ucscngcrs. Wasn't murder alter all. Joe Heed's Mule hunt. Has no influence with the AdmluiBtration. A Touching InciTTS- Tbe United States Converted into a Militarjr Despotism— — Can a Disunion AdniintBtration Restore tlie Union f A Great Statesman Speaking to tlie People Grounds of Impeachment of tlie President — Tlio Directs^ of Abolitionism What is a Loyal leaguer ?— — Grand Patriotic Demonstration Some Plain Talk " Nobody's Hart " Peace I Model Resolntions for the liOyal Ijeaaruers— What the War is carried on for A New Joke— Is it the President's Tlie Abolition Policy of the Administration, and irhat it has Accomplished The Statesman of the Revolntion on the Right of Coercion The Sovereignty of the States The Northern Plagne— — The liCtter of Governor Seymonr— A Poland In the United State€^— ~ The Future" Which Is the most Humiliating— Peace or War f Tlie Conscription The Administration Telegraph ; or Hew it Is Done* 134 PAGES. PRICE 25 CENTS. J. IT-. FEEKS, PUBLISHER, No. 26 Ann Street, Hew York. OF THE PROPHET STEPHEN, SON OP D0X7OLAS. And many marvelous things shall come to pass in the reign of Abraham. Written in the Biblical style ; is historically truthful and witty, •with many humorous bits upon men and the times. Price 15 cents, postage free. OF THE PROPHET STEPHEN, eoiT 0? DorrsLAS. *' Verily I say unto you the old foundations must be taken away little by little lest the people smell what is in the wind, and get up in their ungodly strength and overthrow the holy revolution which we have begun for the glory of the comely black idoL" Price 15c. , postage fre« TRIAL OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BY THE GREAT STATESMEN OF THE REPUBLIC. A Ccuncil of the Past, Spirit of the Cotittitvti^n on the Bench, Abnt- ham Lincoln a prisoner at the bar, his own counsel. Price 15 cents, BOOK OF REVELATIONS: A Companion to the New Gospel of Peace. One of the most amusing books of the day, full of wit and humor. Price 15 cents. The liincoln Catechism, 15 Cents. Abraham Af ricaiius I : his Sayings and Doings, 15 " Songs and Ballads of Freedom, 15 « AssRESs : J. F. FEEKS, PUBLISHER 26 Ann St., IT. T. Tho Lincoln Catechism, ■WHEEEIN THE Eccentricities and Beauties of Despotism JVre fully set forth, being a complete Guide to the Presidential Election of 1864. Price 15 Cents. Post Free. Abraham Africanus I. Mysteries of the Wliite House, Diabolism— Seward, Necromancer — Lincoln in the Trance— Re- veals his Secret History. Price 15 Cents. Post Free. SONGS & BALLADS OF FHEEDOM, -Inspired by the Incidents and Scenes of this present War, being the finest collection of Songs ever published. Price 15 Cents Per dozen $1.50. Postage free. $10.00 PSB 1<00, J. r. FEEKS, PuWisher, 26 Ann St. N. 7< 3 NOTES CONSTITUTION EXPOSITION S Of the Most Eminent Statesmen and Jurists. ON EVERY ARTICLE. BIT C. C H A TJ IST O E TT B TJ It E. , Author of the " History of the Union and the Constitution." P U B L I S H E I> BY J . F . F E E K S , No. 26 ANN STREET. C •(^' PRESIDENTIAL CAMFAM, IFOIE^ 1S64. Book First Propliet Stephen, Son of Douglas, " And iraiiy marvellous things shall come to pass in the leign of Abrahaui AiricaixUs I. 12mo. Price 15 Ceiiis, post Iree. Book Second Prophet Stephen, Son of Douglas. " And the wrath of King Abraham shall be kindled against the people because they love the Constitution and the laws of their fathers." Price 15 Cents, post free. Abraham Africanus I. His Secret Life Revealed'under Mesmeric Influence, and Myster" ies of the White House. a2mo. Price 15 Cents, post free. The Lincoln (Negro) Catechism, Wherein the Eccentricities and Beauties of Despotism are fnlly set forth, being a complete Guide to the Presidential Election of 18G4. 12rao. Price 15 Cents, post free. Songs ^and Ballads of Freedom, Inspired by the Incidents and Scenes of this present war,- being the finest collection of Songs ever published.. 12mo. Price 15 Cents, post free. Any of the above, single copies, 15 cents, one dozen, ^1..50; one lumdred, ^10. . # , Trial of Abraham Lincoln By the great Statesmen of the Republic, a Counsel of tire. Past, Spirit of the Constitution on the Bench, ABKAirAM Lincoln a Prisoner at the Bar, his own Comvsel. Single copies, lO Cents, one dozen, ^1 ; one hundred, ^10. Book of Revelations: ACoinpanion to the Gospel of Peace— one of the most witty and humorous bool^s of the day. Single copies, lO Cents, one dozen, ^1 ; one hundred, $6. ^nm-For sale by all Booksellers and Newsdealers. Democratic Clnbs and Committees supplied on liberal terms. Address : J. F; FEEKS, Publisher, 26 Ann St., N. Y; OR, HUJMOHS OF TJNCLli: ^BE. " That reminds me of a Little Story." BY ANDREW ADDERUP, SPRINGFIELD, ILL. CONTENTS. Involuntary Black Republican Wrong I'ig by the ear. Wlicre docs Old Abe I.inculu live? Too Literal ((bedioncc. How Uncle Abe felt. P.P. P. Rattaned for a rat joke. State House struck with Wliiggery. (Jra|)liic, but true. A .ludgo of tlu' Post Office. I'm an Indcrlid. How Abe got his Sobriquet. I'll take No. 11 too. A .Severe Relrtrt. H