The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-31

Judge Philip p. Barbonr, OF Virginia: When
Jefferson and Madisonwent into retirement. he.
Of the men in the Union, in Mr. Richie 5 ewes.
mood second to none for authentic readings Of
the Constitution--but TO that intellectual giant,
Spencer Roane And what says Judge Barbour h
Does he brand seeessi0nisis with treason? If ay, IL
is himself he brands, for he too was secessiost
See Judge b 3 letter against ratification, Septem-
Der 8, 1882.
E"But whenthe question is one of political power
that between the Federal Government and the
States-whether the former power has invaded the
PRESERVED rights Of the lntter--I hold that questions
of this kind do not belong to judicial eognisance.
'Ibat the people Of the States are parties to
the Federal compact, in their character Of States
''That the Constitution has not conferred upon
the Judicial department any political power what
| ever TiiH0te5Qtt a
"That therefore, in relation to questions Of this
character, there is no common umpire.
"And that consequently, THE STATES MUST DE-
eide FOR THEMSELVES. This is the right. What
is the remedy?
T. My opinion is,sTHAr THE ONLY RIGHurruL
REMEDY IS THAT OF sEcEssloN!vM
Madison, and Philip P. Barbour-aye, verify, and
good old Virginia herself-were secessionisfs in
principles; were they traitors at hearth Eth !--were
they9 Say it-darest thous Lo Las statues stand
they, and voiceless as the sepulchre!
What does it all come to- Why to this that
secession is the "rightful remedy" and the only |
one; and as to its exercise Judge Barbour saws
as of necessity all must say: ssThe States must de-
eide for themselves. = Then the division must be
exclusively theirs it is nobody's business but
theirs We may wish, if we will, that the States
should always decide these matters wisely; but,
God bless the people to decide them as they
please, and to decide them absolutely, they are
sure to do. If South Carolina once makes up her
mind to secede from the Union, take my word for !
IT., that no earthlymea will stop her, but kind
ness, justice and the guarantees of her equal
rights and all her rights, under the Constitution
Give her these, (and they are hers,) and there is
not a State among them all which will yield to the
Union holier attachment, or a drawer support
But talk to her Of substituting imn,utable me-
quality and 'spassive obedience, = for the invaluable
right of sovereign secession, and Of enforcing the
same by military power, and you light up maya
zine, whose first explosion would leave the Union
in ruins!
When drafting General Jackson s proclamation
against South Carolina notification, in 1882, Ed
ward Livingston, (apsing into one of those vaga-
ries of speculation, SO usual with him,) went out
Of his way to declare this Union Of States nation
Of people, and as coroary from the absurdity,
denied the right Of secession. What Southerner I,
now living and then of age but remembers with
what an universal burst of remonsrance the start
hing heresy was received at the South' Why,
Mr.. Thomas Richie himself, and with him the
whole mass Of the Southern Democracy at his
side, were up like one man in protestation and re-
sistance against such an Interpolation Of the rev.
erenced doctrine of estate rights" and nothing
secured-he party from rupture, aid the admins
tration from overthrow, but General Jackson !
timely and authoritative reputation of the doc /
trine in the columns of the Richmond Enquirer ,
few days thereafter. No man living knows more $
of this matter than Mr.. Thomas Richie. What ,
say you, Mr.. Richie, is it not So Speak louder,
Mr.. Ritchie--is Barnwell Rhett traitor? The !,
whole South is listening for the answer! 81 pause
for reply ~ AU REVOiR. /