Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-02-05
TO TIE EDITORS or THE EN-oy,tPER


GrSLEMrSyou will obIsc publishing enclosed
een from Mr. STEVENSON, addressed myself right Of
secession. You will readily perceive answer to one
asking his opinion the alarming our affairs On
question of such deep import great that the
views of different minds should public 10 order
that they have full opportunity of forming conect
on the subject For that purpose, and because
here sad appears TO me to DO able and ob request
insertion IN your paper ANXIOUS
LETTER THE FlRST-From a. Stevenson, Esq.
WAsHINGToN, January 10, 1888.
MY DEAR SIR: L owe you an apology for so long de-
laying TO your kind and letter; but real
y, my time has been engrossed by my public abors
that have been forced against my wishes postpone wr
ng YOU nnti The present time Late, however it is
hope IL may not prove entirely unacceptable. The re-
cent movements in South Carolina, and the attitude which
that State has assumed, have produced of things
deeply 10 be regretted by all who feel sincere and cor
dial attachment TO te Union, and the peace prosper-
ty OF our common country. Whatever the wrongs and
injustice may be, under which Carolina labors land
all admit they great and oppressive tloDob no,
more am very sure her, lhan on some other of
c Southern Staes the rights asserted and the nea
ures pursued 10y her, cannot be justified by any fair con-
sructon OF the constitutions upon the principles of our
Union IL Is not my purpose in this letter discuss the
doctrine OF Nifedt'on Iii unnecessary for me, am
quite sure, to any thing YOU the constitutional
right OF State peaceablyo orcihly TO resist annu the
laws of the Union, whilst such State shall remain mem
Der OF the conledcracy and be represented in the national
councils. Your opinion, know has been long made TN
on this question: and you regard il as AT war with all he
principles the confederation aud the objects the Union
The right Of State to Secede from The Union, is how
a different question: and is separatno and DIVIDING
OF the oldest and strongest of Right friends
This you tell me, has already been the in Virginia.
and you ask my opinion and views in relation TO it, in
way that renders II improper TO withhold them regret
however, the necessity which imposes this duty on
In complicated system like ours, we must all be sensi-
ble that there are some questions of high delicate cha
rdcter Especially OF power between the two govern
ments) which likely produce more injury than good
by discussion; aud in regard 10 which, the wise course
probably would be, avoid, il possible giving occasion
for calling them i'm question. OF this character is the no.
vel and Important for the first presented TO
the American people and on which YOU have askeJ ms,
l mtOcf nIxt I'll
been spared TO at the present crisis; but having been
made IT becomes the duty, at least of public men, to ex-
press their opinion it. shall give mine TO YOU with
the utmost freedom and candour, though beg You TO bear
in mind That do it under heavy press Tor time and
consequently in very desuory and unsat- factory man
ner-ln the lrstpace, permit to remark, that this
right OF secession, the part Of State can draw TO
itself no aid from the nature character the wrong
complained Of Whether be on the ground OF
because the compact according TO the States dc cision2
has been broken; can presume, make difference Ii
the right exists, it can be exercised by State for cause
or tCiOut Il in war, i'm peace aud is a matter which
must rest within the exclusive and discretion of
the State itself Hence additional force is given 10 Ills
supposed right constitutional one from the nature
OF The wrong which may induce State assert or exer
else IT. unhesitatngy express my opposition 10 the doe
time OF secession as constitutional and peocea6e re-
medyi and should he wanting in candOur, if did not
say, that regard it only dangerous 10 the rieb
and liberties Of the States, but wholly inconsistent Sit
the great objects which led our union and The
1t was intended to secure II the right be a constitutional
one, must be derived, presume from one of Two sonr
ccs ether from an express recognition in the constitution
compact The first not pretended The constitution il
silent on the subject, and there h provision or sya
bic III II, which can lead the mind suppose that il was
ever thought OF by those who AIMED it, As il is not a
right recognized by the constitutions il can ONLY exst II
at all as implied rom the nature aud objects of tho con
cdeiacy, the laws OF nations the general avs which
govern contracts. ! propose 10 examine each To ms
mind this right so FAR from being biied is rcprobote
and condemned by every thing connected with be history
Of our constitution and the objects which is aucre 1
IN view by IFS adoption. Does there live one man who
seriously doubts, that the objects of our fathers i'm this
OF philosophy and liberty, IN secure 10 themselves
and their posteriy the liberty and blessings which tbey
bad achieved by arluous and bloody conflict Can
there be 9ouS that these wise men hoped and beleveJ
lhat hey forming only more perfect Govern
men bn providing iof defence agains, common danger.
securing domestic tranquility, aud Promoting their com.
mon interests, by charter Of union which was TO be no
meeting vision, but that continue for future
ages The evils and mbeciiy Of the old confederation
nag been long felt and fresh in their recollections
~ had literally proved itself rope of sand The GO.
Ee'hnoni was sinking under heavy debt; was Wilton,
me means Of defence credit. It's faith ;fle else In
' Un'n The PUnica des Of Garbage 10 It's worst DAYS
rs eAhence depended upon acquisitions on the States In
ner PoHca capacities, which could be enforced and
W.T. continually disregarded at the pleasure or hims of
we o',e Governments IGwas these dssccatng inqredi.
sna ihese fundamental defects ia the Old
~" 'a 70 ne overthrow, and viii prove alike fatal to
~ c',eoeracies which based upon the same prnei.
~ Ihs state Of things, the peace and safety Of
~ Ou"y gave birth to our Union and present cous,itu.