Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-02-12
{ f,om the Norfolk Herald


thus right oi secesson. than such have already noticed
The summary Of its argument, very nearly in it's
words Is ihs-Each State has expressly parted with so
many powers, as To constitute ii jointly with the other
States single nation. Ia becoming parts OF a Nation,
the States surrendered many OF their essential rights OF
sovereignty ana so longer Sovereign; the aisg
ducc Oi their Citizens being transferred the
of the United States But this government hereupon be-
came their Sovereign, because it can punish Treason,
which an offence against Sovereignty, aud Sovereignty
must reside with the power punish it, Moreover the
Constitution OF the United States forms government
Every government has 4 sanction express implied;
therefore, government has right by the law of selde
ence, to pass acts for Furnishing offences against its auho
MY unless that right Is modified, restrained resumed by
Tue constitutional act In SYSTEM although the right
Is modified IN the case OF Treason, yet authority is
peSy gwen to pass all laws necessary carry the pow
OF government iuto effect Hence no State of this
Union may secede, because such secession would destroy
the unity Of the Nhion-any attempt to do which act,
would be an offence against the Sovereignty OF the govern
eht and might be properly punished at its discre-
/ ton.
In reply to this argument, have already endeavored TO
shew that these States do not and never did, constitute
single Nation; but are, as they ever have been since
they assumed 10 be States free Sovereign States not
consolidated into nation but united only by
covenant oil Union, which call the Constitution the
United Staes-rha the government formed by this Con.
suoh, so lar from being Sovereign is the crea-
turc OF the will oftlesc States subject 10 and
rghtu construction at their pleasure, euow with but
limited powers that may be properly exGred for the at
tanment OF enumerated objects only-And so far from
possessing this natural right OF edcfence il is not even
party TO the Covenant under which it exists, may
nghiuy exercise OF its granted powers against
/ although
perry do against their ciizens when they are acting
without the authority of their State only Sovereign
| to whom they owe aegiaAce--That the Union of tic
states thus resting upon entered into by every
State with its coSates, when the this covenant
supposed TO be broken by any of them a. there is no
common arbter to decide between the parties it is OF
cssSly that each State must Judge for itself act as m
own Judgment may dictate. IT, the homes. exercise OF
this Judgment any Sovereign State declares the Cove
@ broken 10y ITS GO States, aud chooses dissolve the
Union thereby established for this cause she has the per-
icc right to do so; and this makes from the
Union as TO that party only.
will not repeat the arguments by which these seye-
II" poSllonS nave been maintained, but will follow my
conclusion 10 all its consequcnces.-W When sovereign
Stale decides that the covenant of Union which
bound her 10 her States has been broken v them and i
therefore annuled, as TO herself is clear that these her
CO. States are not bound by her decision They are then
called upon TO decide questions of very different
Character each for itself also The first csc involves
aith Has that been broken averrcd? Should this
be So according 10 the honest conviction Of any of the
co-s"'es such State as moral and accountable being,
bound acqucsce in the decision made by the first par
", "hich Is so acknowledged to be right But if acting
uhuer us accountability, II honestly believes that s faith
has not been violated, is averrcd second question is
presented. Is it better, while repeing the charge
OF violated ht acquesce in the determination of o
hrst party 10 annul the Covenant itself This ques-
hon ais? each OF the coSate must decide for themselves
respectively
he subject now becomes a matter of na}ed noIicv
winch IKE every her question of mere expedlency,
must depend upon all the circumstances existing in the
question appertans TO the Saesinan-th mere
heoIsl can neither comprehend, hope decide it cor
rect y; and therefore, would be very foreign my pre-
sent purpose Tut il after examining all the circumstan.
ces OF tile case, in ali their different relations and proha
bic elects the coStaes whose Covenant has been annul
ed "ronsully they may b3Iicye determine ncvcrtle
less acquesce ia the yacatng AS 10 the other mar
", me difference is al an end-Elch party concurs al
trough for different reasons, in the same purpose and no
collision will take place between them. Such was the
course pursued by the Saies in I7SS when the Old Ar-
ee oil Confederation were annuled by the Act OF eleven
oil The States, who ihen coded from the MON establish.
Ell thereby. And such has been the pursued in
very many other cases OF Union and Alliance, hat it would
be ledOnS here TO but 10 hich the rccolec-
uon OF every reader Of histo will recur. Put it,
alter due examination OF the subject in all its -arngs
the party OF which am speaAn., thinks itself un.
Justly aggeved by The it, eos stes i'm annullipo
their mutual Covenant and seeding from the Un,o51
thereby established, and that exppdient 10 push This
difference to war, unquestionably may wage war; and
may so impose upon the other parry necessity OF sub.
muns 10 rs dicdIioh, or OF defending itself by the
means
Such war, as to the party with whom alone it can
commence VIII differ from every other that has before
occurred from the beginning 10 that day because even
10y the most complete success avowcd object can never
| be attained. Independence, Conquest PREPARATION of
wrongs, Security, Punishment OF indicnity offered may
all he achieved by successful war; but victory can never
make Unon or repair the breach of its broken Covenant
behoves the Statesman, then, deliberate WELL before
he makesa war for any unattanable obec-Should the
seeding party prove successful in the contest it will
maintain its independence, may then agree to enter
i"to another Covenant OF Union, ayng its foundations Oh
such principles, and organizing its pow crs in such form
as to them shall seem most likely TO effect their safety and
happiness" but this will be a Convenant.-Shoud
the other party prove successful it may conquer the ter
rtory eXternlnatc its Inhabitants change ali the nsiitu
tons OF the seeding Sdtenay do whatever else lists
aud which pOssble Tor who shall give law TO conuues
But 1t cannot revive the old Covenant OF Union That is
gone oreYer and can no more be recalled than yes,er-
/ day.
II the Victor, in his cemency chooses to spare the lives
oil his conquered enemies 10 permit them TO enjoy their
former religion and laws and civil institutions nay to oc
'uPy the conquered country still, Inc may win The thanks
OF the yanqushcd and perhaps beget la them sense Of
gratitude towards the generous chief who has been th
lOOedrng aud Kind 10 fallen foe. But let none mistake
the character oil the sentiment Produced Ii LOYALTY
not patriotism; and let those beware of the LOYALTY of tie
grateful Mdmcuke, Who may wish thereafter TO harm his
KIND conqueror Il subdued people have ever been the
great agents III subuiDg others. EXngush any one even
the smallest OF these sovereign States and rely upon
IT, many others will share herf fate. majority NAV
sublue minority, probably They can only do So how
ever, by means oil tOrcc which be guided by man;
and thcir chief is prudent, the subduel minority will as
certainly unite 10 make him military despo as The pco
pie oil Rome proclaimed the power OF Dictator to escape
from The thralIom OF an Overbcaring and selfish Senate
VIII The NictOrs seek 10 this consequences by pto
posing to amt the conquered State their Union again.
She must come, II tney say but the Union thereupon
becomes to all iniens and purposes, Covenant
The rights Of the conquered State arc then derived TO her
under the gracious gift OF her conqueors and not from
own Tree and sovereign will The old Covenant OF Union
made aud sustained by equal and pendent States gives
place to Of very different characters i'm which there
can be no mutual confidence, because il rests no LONGER
upon mutual consent. Many generations must pass ayay
before any subducd people ought be trusted a. com
ponenl part OF the Union by which they have been sub
ducd hlng may make cOnqucsts, and BY many means
may attach LIS conquered subjects his person and win
their loyalty to his crown Tor his people are ali subjects
and in his eyes, all entitled to his protection alike Bu
you had as well insert deadly poison into the veins
OF animal, and hsalth os