Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-09-24
Avere,. and others, Of Virginia, who voted against
the Compromise, and adds:

q
congress and a southern confederacy, projected by
such men as Messrs. Rhett ard Cheves of South
Carolina. undeserved as it was evidently con-
trary to all the doctrines of the old republican party.
Such democrats acquiesce in the Compromise. now
that it is law, because it is perfect work. but
because it is as good one as could be finished at
the tine Of its adoption, and because its maintenance
in good faith disarms abotonism, at the same time
that i, to the public opinion medium through
which i, can bring back the federal government to
the sphere prescribed for it by the authors Of the
sttution.''
Now, we affirm that We have occupied. all along,
the very position occupied by Judge Bragg on this
question; and for proof of this refer paper
of The llth of June last in which published and
endorsed letter written by that gentleman as fol-
lows:
GENTLEMEN Yours of Gath inst. rropoundng to
certain questions in reference the present aspect
Of political affairs, is before me.
TO your first inquiry l answer: that while the
termed the Z" Compromise'' to which they were not
clearly entited-they were deprived of much which
they most justly had the right TO claim. The
clusion is, that the Compromises measures unjust
in themselves and derogate from the rights of the
Southern States.
To your second question / reply-that for adequate
cause, in my opinion, State has the right to secede
from the Union. In this connexion must be per-
mtted to say that in regard to the right Of secession,
j, seems to me singular confusion of ideas has
listed. This has arisen from proneness consider
it right secured by and arising under the Constiu-
iion. do not view it. 1t is right paramount
the Constitution. residing with the States necessa-
ry for their self protection, unalienated and unaiena
ble In view Of the object of your letter, however,
candor compels me to add here that in my judgement
the Compromise measures above referred to do not
furnish adequate cause for resort to the rigM Of
cession.
In reply to your last question, have hesitation
in saving that am utterly opposed to any resort to
rec on the par, of the General Government, to COM
pe State that has determined secede, to return
into the Union. Eighteen years ago. being then
member If the Legislature Of North Carolina vot-
ed to instruct her Senators to vote against the cee
brated Force Bill. The opinions formed and acted
at that early day, have seen no cause to change
or abandon When the time arrives that the Govern
men, be maintained only by the exercise Of force
upon sovereign State, in my judgment the period
will have been attained when tie Government will
not be worth preserving. shall certainly deprecate
most sincerely the withdrawal Of any State from the
Union but ii any State should resolve to 60, my
language to her would be-in the name of God, de-
part in peace.
As to wha, would be the duty of the remaining
States in the event that the General Government me-
ditated force, it is rather difficult to deter
mine before such contingency is presented Before the
actual use OF force, think effort should be spared
preven, it. The States should demonstrate
and protest against ii, and Congress should firmly
fuse TO invest the Executive Government with any
extraordinary powers to enable il to humble the recu-
SAINT State. Ii all such appeals proved unavaing.
and in spite of all effort to avert it nothing but force
would satisfy power, then all history is fable, and hu
man nature is changed. if brother failed to sympa.
thze with brother, and those having common inter-
did no: unite to protect them. 1t Massachusetts
were to withdraw from the Union on account of her
opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law, and force were
used against her, apprehend she would receive very
little aid from the Southern States springing from
| sense of duty, while she most probably would be as
sisted by Vermont and other States having kindred
| sympaihies. On the other hand. if South Carolina
secede on account of her opposition 10 the compro-
mise, and, if met with force, would Massachusetts
feel it to be her duty TO aid her! Massachusetts.
suppose would hardly think After all. the thing
is resolved into simple matter Of sympathy and in.
teest. think then every eori should be made to auoid
that falling, consequences must needs be left to take
care of themselves. What they must inevitably be,
think have already sufficiently indicated. l re-
main, gentlemen, very respectfully,
| Your obedient servant,
JOHN BRAGG.
DAs1rt cAAsDIfs, ESQ.,
RoBr. w. SMITH, ESQ.,, }
In publishing this letter we used the following ex.
pressions: Is We concur with Judge Bragg in the
above We endorse fact, most cordially, erery
line he has yriAen.''
The Editor Of the Union also says, in his paper OF
the 18th instant:
ut is seen that Judge Bragg stands upon the re-
port of Mr.. Madison in 1899, and that he is as fat
from the platform of the Nashville convention Mr..
King, or any other conservative man of the South.
This is also of Mr.. Avere,s, Mr.. Meade. and all
the members from Virginia who propose to act with
the democratic party. These men are as distant as
the poles from that ulTais,n which would regard the
Compromise as a cause for secession--they as faI
from the school of MIR. Chrves, who already consid-
ers our experiment of repubcsnsm failure, as they
are from the hgher-a,Oism Of Mr.. Seward. whose ain
it is 10 discard all the limitations Of federal systrm
and reduce Us to that consolidated relation, as a
union OF States, which the counties Of single State
bear to that State.' ''.~ '.
II this is true az to Judge Bragg and the Virginia
members who opposed tn" compromise measures .
but who have acquesced in them, ii is aiso true IL
this paper and those in this State ,oo approve
and surely we have right expect that the " ash
ington Union will. under these circu extend
to Us the same degree Of fairness and justice which
it has extended to them.
We take occasion to say tina. we concur with th.
Editor of the Petersburg Democrat in the following
remarks, copied into the Union of the 18th instant
If the Union would act wisely this subject, i
would draw marked distinction between those wht
have consented 10 give up their opposition to th'
Compromise and those who are making it a cause 70
secession. We will 60 with the Union in insisting
on ito observance, but we can never condemn OUT
selves or our friends for hay ing opposed it, We Civ
in our adherence from the hope that the whole Sou,l
have determined that this shall be their last conces
sion 10 the North, and tina, they will retreat no rhe,