The United States Constitution also guarantees to each State
protection against invasion, and, if necessary, against domestic
violence - meaning, I presume, internal violence. The words domestic
violence might seem to refer solely to slave insurrections; but such
is not the meaning of the words. The free State of New York would
be entitled to the assistance of the Federal government in putting
down internal violence, if unable to quell such violence by her own
power.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in
pursuance of it, are to be held as the supreme law of the land. The
judges of every State are to be bound thereby, let the laws or
separate constitution of such State say what they will to the
contrary. Senators and others are to be bound by oath to support
the Constitution; but no religious test shall be required as a
qualification to any office.
In the amendments to the Constitution, it is enacted that Congress
shall make no law as to the establishment of any religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; and also that it shall not
abridge the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of petition. The
government, however, as is well known, has taken upon itself to
abridge the freedom of the press. The right of the people to bear
arms shall not be infringed.
