North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-07-16
MIR. WEBSTER CONVERTED.

MIR. WEBSTER CONVERTED.
we nave the pleasure of announcing that Mr.. w eb-
stel mas at length become convert TO the doctrine OF
the right of secession 1t will be by the extract
from his second speech at Capon Springs, Virginia,
on his recent VISIT which correspondent has quo
ted below, that MIR. Webster at length admits that
our constitution Is compact and that If one OF the
parties violates one of its stpuaons the rest are
absolved from its engagements. -.a .-fr~-
This goes as far, practically, the Southern party
goes. 1t is the position now assumed by South Car
ol1na and by the friends of State rights other States.
It's obvious that in system each party must
be Judge for itself, of the Question whether the
pact has been violated by others. If Massachusetts
rePudIaes either formally practically the Fugitive
slave law it Is now confessed by Mr.. Webster, that
instead OF attempting coerce her by force obey
II, which IS imPracticable, the other States alb
solved from all the stiPuaons of the constitutional
compact.
1t is well know that Mr. Webster has heretofore
osed this doctrine. In 1882, in the notification
debate, he denied that the Constitution was compact
But he has derived great benefit from visits to Vir
ginia. In no he went TO Richmond, and under an
October sun declared himself Jefersonian Republic
cam Now he has visited Capon Springs in the
mountains of the State and the air and scenery of the
Old Domnion have completed his conversion. His
first speech his arrival Capon was rather feder-
ish-was full of unqualified UnionisnI--adnited the
Southern ul.ras were intelligent and chivaric, but
said their doctrines were Melancholy and uncomfort-
able. And he concluded by minimizing that when
secession went so far TO interfere with the Con-
stItution the federal government would exhibit its
sober second thought after rejecting the bad
of utering threat in Southern State of coercng
another. and perhaps Disguised with the applause he
had received for The sentiment, he frankly admits
after all the plain common sense ductrine that our
Constitution is compact, and that if of its pro-
visions violated by of the parties, the have
a right TO renouncc 1t.
1T MIR. Webster makes such progress soon after
going into Virgil and Oh its borders what might
not be expected of him going the States
By the time he got to South Carolina, he would be
regular Thereafter. We hope he will 90. We
him to stop and convert Mr.. Cobb to State rights
doctrines in Georgia, and then go and convert
General Foote: but perhaps before he he had
better give lesson or two to the editor of the Union
Seriously, the extract from MIR. Webster's second
speech, If correctly reported in the Baltimore Sun,
from which our correspondent gets it, is conclusive.
We shall give both speeches tomorrow, in etensu;
and regard it of great importance. is only
esSary TO establish sound construction of the Con-
stilu,ion TO save the Union. The advantages of the
Union are very great, and its evils may be greatly
mitigated. The sentiment Of attachment to it is So
strong as TO be OF itself sufficient guarantee against
the secession of any State for the adequate
ses. This government can be easily administered
as to secure the adhesion of all the States. And we
devoutiy trust that party will yet be formed, par
ty of overwhelming numbers, that will conduct it
such basis. But in order to effect that, the right of
secession must be sacred. For if 1t be once conce-
ded that this is government without Limitation of
power that II is a mere creature OF the will OF
jority, that majority will quickly carry their schemes
o: spoliation beyond the limits ofendurance.
"A Mr. Bruce, who was present gave a toast :
The Fugitive-slave law-Upon its faithful execu-
ton depends the perpetuity of the Uuion.'
Mr. Webster again addressed the company, declar-
ing that that law CONSTITUTIONAL and that it should
be enforced as well any other law. He declared
that if the North willfully aside that part of the
Constitution, the South would be bound any lon
ger by the compact. The whole Constitution was
binding all. If party broke it, the other party
is discharged from the compact. bargain broken
on side, was broken on all sides. He continued
his speech for time in the further maintenance
that the Constitution in all lis parts equally bin
ding ALL and that section of it could be set
aside. violated without destroying the whole.''
II Mr.. Webster be correctly reported in the fore
going abstract of his recent speech at Capon Springs
hereafter the distinguished and - constitutional
expounder' must be classed among those who
ognze the right of State secede from the Union.
Such is the purport Of his words, they are mere
"Taffeta phrases-siken terms"
not uttered to be avouched by deeds.
The wilful noncompliance by section, of any
part of the organic pact by which the Union was
composed he admits releases the other section from
any further Obligations growing out of that instru-
ment. compact broken by one party is dissolved,
and the other party thereto is discharged from future
compliance Herewith. So urge the advocates of the
abstract right of secessan in the South, well
those who go further, and contend that the moment
has for the exercise of the right.
Southern Press.