The Yazoo Democrat., 1851-07-02

From the Norfolk Argus.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT Or
SECESSION.

u 14Ed CQ4NS414 a ~ 1AO4N<4A sNA64 a VT
80 SECESSION.
Has State right to secede from the
Union, or. ia other words, is il constisu
1iOnar rightl This is an important question,
when viewed in relation TO the responsible
position likely to be taken by South Carolis
ma. a aaftalf
We do not design 10 discuss il ut this
time, but we simply PrOpose.to give author.
ity IN support of the claim. The power
has always been contendeG for in Virginia
aimee the memorable resolutions Of 1898, as
ia clear from the exposition OF them by the
celebrated report drawn by MIR. Madison.
In defending the third Of these resolutions,
which asserts the doctrine of State interpO.
sition, the committee say "lhat they have
scanned il not merely with stricl. but q
severe eye. and they feel confidence in pro
h.nouncing. thar in its just aud fair conssruc
ton. il 10 unexceptiona5y rue in its several
POSITIONS, as well as Constitutional. and
conclusive in lie infrrences." What were
the positions of the third resoIution1 Let.
That the powers Of the federal government
weEe limited to a plain sense Of The instru
ment constituting the compact. ID, That
Ia case Of deliberate, palpable and danger
Gus infractlOn Of the compact, the State has
the right TO inleFpOse to arrest the progress
of the evil. by maintaining within its respec
tive limits the authorities, rights and Iiber
tie, appofainiEg TO is. 'I'his inference
says the report ''is constitutional and con
elusive" Mr.. Jefferson maintained the
same doctrines in the famous resolutions
drafted by him, and adppej by the Legisla-
turs of kentucky in 1899. Mr.. Alexander
Hamilton. ia enc of his papers in the .'Fed
-SraIist," ADMITS that if the Federal govern
-ment should cypress the States. the State
governments would be ready to check it by
virtue OF their own inherent sovereign pow
ers. at may safely be received as an axiom
Tin our political system (says Mr. Hamilton J
,GhaG the State governments will, in all pos
sIble contingencies, afford complete security
against invasion ofIhe public liberty By the
national auhority-prOjects of usurpaliur
cannot be masked under pretences so likely
to escape the penetration Of select bodies
of men, as Of the people at large-:ha legis
lalurea will have better means Of inl0rma
tiun-they can discover the danger at
dis ance; and, possessing all the organs o
civil power, aud the confidence of the peopl'
they can at once adopt a regular plaza oI op
pposigiOn, in which they can combine all tn,
resources of the community.
Nathaniel Macon, for thirty We ars a mem
Der OF toe Ssnate of the United States @
~ HON RandOll b Of this State said that ht
was the purest and wisest man who had eve
taken part in The counsels of the nalion( in
I letter in reply expresses the iolOwin
+ opinion: ''therS can be no doubt that tn
United States are ia deplorable siluatiOu
and that the publication of the opinion yO
desire would be useless. |. has. been 3 se
<crst anl always stated TO tn 'ss who wInte
to know L. Ia the year 1924 the constitu
aion was buried IA the Senate--the Sena
tors who were then present will, It is bs
Iisved. FecOllect the fact-and never alteI
wards quoted by me while continued in II
Senate. The opinions OF Gen. Washingtol
Mr.. Jefferson. and Gov. CiInOu, are know
that = state could nuIlify and remain in th
Union, but have always believed that Sta
might secede when she pleased, and IN
xiehtl have considered the best guard
public Justice that could be decided; and
ought To- have prevented what 10 now felt
she, Snu,h.. oporess:on. When confeder
cies begin to fight. liberty 10 soOn change
AsUovsSnauent Of opinion, established
sovereign states, for special purposes, ca
moi be maintained by force. The use
Z force makes enemies, and enemies cam
live in peace under such government"
These are the views deliberately express
ed by the patriots and sages OF by-go
days: men who made the science Of o
complex machinery Of government th )
study, and two OF whom assisted in the ic
mat;on .f the constitution. WheGher svce
ti1n will lead 70 civil war between the Sc
eral goverusnent and the seceding Sta
resss sntirely with th stronger Powe
There IL no necessity for il unleas the tet
nal government shall choose to couseers
iDa usnrpations by the blood Of those i 90
have attempted 70 oppress. The meass
I'm noa resOrled TO BY the retiring State "
= view to resort to force. Ali she asks,
she privilege TO peaceably withdraw from
leagues the compact Of which has been '
lated, and wnich has become to her gris
nnce TOO intolerabls TO be Iongee borne.
kxo. RoF,ert r W.sl..,..,...a.. !. :.