The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-01
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
TUESDAY MORNING, JULY i, 1861.
Hon Ber,am,n q. shields, OF Alabama.


We have received very lengthy address OF this gen
eman 10 The people of Alabama stating the eircum-
stances which connected his with the present can
vass for the gubernatora office OF that State and The
reasons which have prevented his compliance with the
solicitations OF many OF his fellow citizens TO put his
name in nomination This address is highly creditable TO
the talents and patriotism of Mr.. Shields, and we should
gladly insert the whole OF in columns but that Its
length puts il out OF power at this moment lie has
been doubtless Influenced much in his determination not
TO oppose Mr. Collier by the desire 10 prevent division
the ranks OF the democratic party aud by the hope that
the diyerses OF opinion created by the effort to form
southern rights parties would soon yield to that general
necessity which demands at this period cordial union
OF all the members OF his party in reconcng the coun
try to sincere support of the Compromise and the
stution.
1t was apprehende by Mr. Shields that the position Of
Mr. Collier calculated to counenance the idea that the
secession of State from the Union, being constitutional
right, involved obligation on the part of the CO.
States of the Union protect her in that right if the fed
er government attempted TO continue its usual functions
within the limits of the seeded State Although, IN that
event. Mr. Collier does not what would be his &C
ton, on the ground that the subject too
one be considered without the instruction of the people
and the advice OF the other departments Of the State govern
ment we cannot admit the idea that there is any
to ascbe TO him disposition to oppose the wesettled
opinion OF the country that secession is not conslitu
tona right It was this feature of the proceedings OF
the second convention at Nashville that justly and
universally condemned by the people and should be
sorry 10 suppose that effort is seriously made in any
quarter OF the country change judgment which ap
olik h,th nd If
whole Union There exist undoubtedly differences Of
opinion to what would constitute such oppression
as TO justify resort to the natural right OF resistance but
all calm minds must admit that such resistance, when
made BY one portion OF confederacy against another
united is by common government, is revolution
airy its nature and involves all the consequences Of
the destruction of one form of government, and the put
ting up OF another.
On this branch OF the subjects discussed by Mr. Shields
we make few extracts from his address, which are
sure readers will read with pleasure, being in genera
accordance they are with the views OF the democratic
party of the whole Union:
"The principles forth in the Virginia resolutions
1898 other form OF fnfspostion than sucf
constitution left with the States, viz; the right
posing protests and resolutions against federal usurpa
on of changing their senators, and influencing public
opinion effect change OF representatives in the
beyond these by State or by the people of the
States override constitution, and refer themselves
the standard Of natural right for their Justification,
for their pindicafton the myth of good the
favor of Heaven, and the sptrtt OF Jresmen
). " But is said that deny the ght OF State peacenbl,
10 secede the Union is to give The general govern
ment the character of consolidated government, Il
make government without Limitation OF powers. Such
an idea altogether faacious will appear from fol
lowing considerations; In the first place. the people wht
direct the general government are the same people who
direct the State governments, and equally interested II
guarding the rights Of the States everywhere There is
much why State rights should be appreciated
State pride enlisted in their defence in New York
Georgia Carolina. There is universally amongs, tn
people strong attachment to the State governments
the least amongst the of preserving and perpe,
ang the rights OF the Staeso the weak States against tn
strong and OF all against the consequence of civil
Justly be regarded the preservation of the genera
government in Its whole constitutional vgor the sheet
anchor Of peace at home and safety abroad Tn
constitution poses limitations; 1t is made up of spec
cations and limitations upon the powers OF the govern
men, and the people, as before remarked, equally in
eesed each and all Of the States, in the preservation
Of large share Of the rights and powers of local sell
government consistent with the safety and order
the whole. In the second place, the internal organization
Of the government opposes barriers to encroachmens b,
the majority upon the minority, which well nigh in
superabe No law be passed by the House OF Repre-
senatves where the majority of the people represented
without the OF the Senate, where the State
equally represented BY reference tables OF th
late census, IL will be that majority in the SENATE
may be composed Of from States containing les
than e.tth OF the whole population of the Union.
check that subjects majority Of fourfhs OF the people
to onehh, through their representatives in the Senate.
suficent further than that would be great deroga
on OF the democratic principle. Ia addition checI
by upon the House. the veto of til,
President, and the erposons Of pendent Judi
ciay, with power and under obligations the opera
ton of unoonstitu laws To these could add ma
other considerations going TO show the admirable ada pta
ton Of system OF political and social organization to the
preservation and IMMIGRATION Of both State rights anc
popular rights, and the gounde Of the es
that to be ingulled in the msestrom consoI
dalton by means OF federal usurpaton.
"The dangers be dreaded State rights are te
be referred to such efforts many active politicians are
now engaged in. Ihey should be successful securing
the appreciation OF the people in three States
to this anomaly in govemmen-he right any OF the con.
sucn parts break the unity Of the system peacesby
and independently of the will Of 1t. coconstituen-the
time will be lar distant when schemes OF sectional in
dependence and separate political organizations will be
systematically advocated and attempted be carried into
practice When these things upon US. indeed Have
already he'd such things proposed and advooa
boldly by few. and coverly by hundreds and thou
sands four five OF the southern States OF which
the political power of the State is already in their hands
But soy when majority of the people in these States
become the dupes Of this imposturefo call IL moth
ing ese-Stae rights and popular rights will take the
chances under martial law suspensions OF habsas corpus
military campaigns, high taxes, suspension OF business
loss of confidence, and fnslyirom disgust and contempt
for ourseves-under series of dicstoships, elective p,r
haps.
my Hrst offerings upon the political altar were ded
Gated to democratic principles. have occupied
- - -