The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-08-05

ratified the Constitution. They iud yed Of [
It's adaptation TO this end by the language
III which it was expressed. They could !
Judge III no other manner. They believed
It's provisions to be wise and just, and that, |
II II should be administered according TO |
It's letter, justice would be done TO all. tho
ghts OF the people OF the several States |
would be mutually respected, tho bonds OF
all strengthened Tor the common defence,
Tho general welfare promoted, domestic
tranquility ensured, and more perfect
union formed. But, if not so administered,
it would be Il violation Of the popular un-
dcrstandiug, breach of tho condition on
which It was accepted Tor these great
blessings could not he expected to flow
from perverted use Of it.
It, must have been beautiful spectacle
TO see the States assembled in Convention,
engaged in the solemn discussion of mat
tcrs Tor the promntion ui tho common good.
and for the purpose OF accomplishing this
great object, forming Il Constitution, made
up OF voluntary grants OF power, and Of
| prohibitions 10 themselves OF the exercise
OF certain powers. But tho people ever
| watcl,iu of their rights, through their Re-
| prcsCnativcs, at the first session Of Con-
grcss after the adoption Of the Cons itu-
ton. proposed amendments thereto, which
were deemed sautary limitations or re-
strIc'ions OF some of the powers given to
Congress, and explicitly dcclaratorv Of the
| limited nature Of the Government created
by the Constitution Among these las,
arc the following: "Thc enumeration III
tn Constitution, OF certain rights, shall not
be construed to deny or d.sparagc others
retained by the people"
"rhc powers no, delegated to the Uni
ted States by the Constitution, nor prohibits
ell by it to the States, arc reserved TO the
States respectively, or To the people, The
States nor the PEOPLE thereof, nowhere
| rcuOunCcd the right Of rr-assuninr the
| portions ol their sovereignty, which they
had conceded III the Constitution, whenever
| the conditions of the grant were broken,
| OF which they had not parted with the right
! to Juduc Tor themselves A State, then, III
my Judgment, has the right to scccIc from
the Union. The people OF the seeding
! State alone, III their sovereign capacity,
have the right To determine on the ncsessi-
Is OF its exercise. The sections | have
quoted from the Constitution prove THIS.
OH had as well say that they were in
! C mpctCnt 10 Judge for themselves, in
adopting the Constitution, as to maiutalu
that they arc incompetent TO take care Of
themselves, When the Government .nstiiu-
ted thereby, wrongs and opprcsscs them.
ii follows from the right OF a State to Sc
code from The Union. tha, the Government
OF the United States has no right to compel
her To return; tor there cannot be two an
ia.onst'ca! rights. Such right on Tic part
OF the Federal Government is not To be
DuI.d III The enumeration Of lis rights III
the Constitution. 70 cunccdc the prlnc.-
pie, that the Federal Government can use
military Ioi &C against a State 10 Cocrcc her
INTO the iIni"n, after her people have de-
tcrmnCd that i. is necessary 10 their lIeucp,
s,ieiy and happiness, 10 withdraw, is 10
yield State r.gmts and State sovereignty,
and Ia grant i principle winch IT acted on
must lead 10 the overthrow ot the Consl-
tuton and the liberty OF the rcop,c.
Bnt while give these opinions on this
subject II may not be improper ior me to
repeat what ] la :e said elsewhere, that
Georgia has already determined that II is
no, 10 her interest To exercise ihiS r;ui,t on
account ot any wrongs, Sic has heretofore
sustained n the hands -! the Federal Gu-
rcrn!nrn, and mat her icC,s,Jn ought not
10 Ac disturbed. however, fully az knnwI-
edge the pr"prIciy ana Your riglL 10 inquire
III me my Opiuon, III The position am IN.
lHc righi nI Il State 10 eccchc from the
Unon ha, been dcn.cd hv some Ii tic
1Gna oi ifI,s right 10 ,llc STATES Shuud be-
come the established political doctrine o.
TIE county, val rrpca'. there w!ii be n,
e ID ui Stale rights AMI SLATE 50. .rrryn,ic.: !:
and the Government intended j, ouf lia'r..
ole fathers a. 4 coni:urra,y ol Co-cuual
Sf.,f,. 1. 4 q. y
wEA all power consolidated ~ the hands ui
an Irresponsible u.ajoriy, ln.ilcu bv ,,o rae
and restricted by no Constitution. The Dis
position 10 ircsp!Ss sectional rlrhts
which has been entity literally cncour.
aged, II grow, and relieved from all ap.
prchcnslon ui resistance Oh The part OF HE
States, Mi execute lis plans ol uuira-c and
Iin on tins lar and tlrurisilimg portion ut
The uulon. But shuuId t!,c 80. ere: :..n,lcS q.
The States a reserved III he Constitution!
be maintained, anI ii,c risht ol secession
established. there w.ii be Iu occasion lu re-
sort 10 it. The determined purpose. OF an m
Jurcd people 10 Use the remedy when impci-
dby ncccss!iy, Wi, arrest ne progress Of
wrongs and uaurpatIous on The part ui The.
! Government. I!lS ri.hi o. an entire STA
10 wsiiiraW irum the government Is one oi
the ci!i"i beauties, yea, g,OrlCs oi our pul.l,-
ca' system. Nic!! the prup.c ui thc States
cease to derive The advantages from the
! Union tor Which they entered INTO II, they
may, III Their sovereign capacity, depart ~
peace, withnnt rcvu.utuu. without war,
without the shcdng ui b.oUi. There is 10
treason III thus, no resort to sword, but sim
ply gentle removal from under The burden
that cypress them.
| necessary n nj