Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-12-19


| We clip from the NashviB Union, the following ex-
tract from the speech Prepardby Hon. A. o p Nchol-
son, of Tennessee be JeFe ed in the Nashville Conven
ton. Mr.. Nicholson sound minded, clear headed
democrat. We regret that the crowded state of our
columns will not permit to publish this great speech
entire He the question with that holiness which
becomes Statesman, and with arguments unanswera-
BILE. The doctrine ofpeaceebe secession is most dan
gerous Once admitted and the safety and perpe
tuty Of the Union gene The caprice of State may
break up, that which fathers regarded permanent
Without cause, South Carolina may Withdraw from the
Union Admit her right TO do so, and the Of the
government, which intended to her, power
less We have always been the advocate OF State rights
but BY State rights, rights under the Constu-
ton The right Of secession now claimed, is unknown
to the Constitution of the United States and
nzed by the Constitution of any State Of this Union
Such right is above all Constitutions and is therefore
revolutionary. But refrain from all argument, and
call attention to the extract which speaks the language
OF truth aud patrotism
| Let us now approach the remedy proposed by the
committee evils complained of-peaceibie
1t is asserted that each State upon entering into
the Union reserved the right resume the powers sur
rendered to the Federal Government whenever in the
opinion OF such State expedent that her co:nexion
with the other States should be dissolved and the
Of this right is called peaeeable secession II such
right exists be ted to with without
sons with without cause and be questioned
either by the Federal Government the other States
To illustrate the dea-Loui>ana may conclude that her
interests would be promoted by seeding from the Union
Bv tie oil she resumes that portion oil her
sovereignty surrendered to the General Government
and she becomes completely sovereign and independ-
ent government The General Government can enforce
no law within her territory and the other States
up objection to her secession. She may enter into
treaties and form alliances with other foreign powers,
and hold possession and exercise jurisdiction over the
mouth Of the Mississippi and the other States whose
merce floats on its bosom interpose objection
exercising the reserved right of peacea6e secession
Alabama may do the same, and may Sonth Carolina
and so may New York; and by the exercise of this
peaceabe and convenient remedy the interior States
De cut off from the entire board except through for
eign territory.
If this doctrine be well founded the common opinion
that the Constitution created for the States Federal
Union is all deusion-t only formed league, conn.,
pact, solemn treaty between the States independ
ent sovereicnties That the people who adopted and
ratified the Constitution regarded something
than a mere league, or compact or treaty they have
distinctly declared Their language prehxed the
Constitution is this
1--WE, the people Of the United States in order to
form perfect Union, establish Justice insure do
nestle tranquility provide for the common defence, pro-
mote the general welfare and secure the blessings oil
liberty to ourselves and posterity do orain and
tabsh this Constitution for the United States OF Amer
lea"
When look TINS CONSTITUTION instead OF Ilnu-
ing merely the of league, compact, treaty
find all the necessary machinery provided Tor gov
ernment-a Legislative department 10 make laws, ju-
dcia department expound them and executive de-
paItment them We find this Constitution
and the laws made in pursuance OF 1t aud tn treaties
made under the authority OF the United States h lie the
supreme law of the land and find treason against
the United States clearly and distcty defined. Ii fol-
lows that the people of the United States in ordanng
and establishing the Constitution, ordained and estab
lshed Government. and not mere compact. To this
government acting within It's legitimate sphere they
allegiance. 1t true also, that the people OF the
United States allegiance their respective State
G. ivernments acting within their legitimate spheres
Allegiance IS dne to sovereignty and hence the Federal
Government sovereign within the sphere OF its delega-
ted powers and the States are sovereign within the
sphere their reserved powers. The allegiance due
the Just complete and obligatory the 9TH
err. The can more be thrown oil without incur.
ring responsibility than the other. As well may por-
ton of the citizens of State claim the right OF
ing off their allegiance and peacealy seeding from the
State, NAV portion oil the people of the United
States claim the right OF throwing oil their allegiance
amt peaceably seeding from the United States The
Federal Union, therefore, does rest the sandy
foundation which the doctrine of pcaceae secession
would place IT, There is vigor and substance, and
strength in the Constitution which creates it. The
Fathers Of the Republic did do vain and foolish
thing establish government which could be over.
thrown dissolved by the breath of caprice They
laid its foundation deep and reared the superstructure
with strength that might stand firm amidst the sever
shocks. For than sixty years it has realized
their hopes and illustrated their wisdom. Enemies
from without and within have assailcd it in vain 1t has
defied faction, fanatacism, nsrrection treason and
war From'caeh successive conflict it has come forth
with renewed strength and brighter glory. Can it be
possible that such is liable crumble and
fall to pieces by the process of pcaeeablc secession
Gentlemen who entertain so absurd an opinion should
consider well the responsibility they making
such proposition. Let them nor suppose that theil
cry of peace! peace will appease the insuitcd majesty
OF the law Ii the government rivetting upon them
the chains Of Tyranny and oppression their remedy
clear and undisputed-let them hoist the red banner
rebellion and boldly appeal the God of battles or
the justice of their If they triumph they
will enjoy the honors o. glorious rcyoution they fail
let them die like frecmen submit like slaves.