The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-23


that she would withdraw or seceds II the amendments
proposed TO the constitution not adopted Ii
the right existed, IT could be exercised well without as
with the condition annexed 70 her ratification OF the con
sluion, and the assertion OF il would have been use
less Interpolation and nali,y II 30 regarded
however. at the time, by those who have been active
~. u me framing ran o. sns constitution a.s Mr.
draw iron the Union condition that would yitaie
the ratification He says furher in writing 10 Mr.. Ham
ilton on THE subject ~bsA &t
a, Rohmond. and considered a. conditional rsiiaea
tion.'
"If the opinion OF Mr.. Madison, which have here
referred TO. be well f0unded puts an end TO TINS con-
roversy There be no doubt about the fact that he
did recognise the right OF each Stale to secede from
the Union al her pleasure In addition TO the facts
which haye just considered there is strong illustra
al the opinion that prevailed among the trainers OF
the constitution on this subject u the action OF the States
of North Carolina and Rhode Island These States re-
fused to into the Union for time alter the ra
icaion OF the constitution. They were not opposed 10
The formation OF the federal Union, but like some OF the
ether States they unwilling adopt the consttu
ton then stood II il had been recognised UNI
doubted principle that each State bound 10 remain in
ona ouSs h - iI these Saes instead Of
their the constitution, after had been adopted
by the requisite number, would have come al once into
the Union, with the intention o! Immediately withdraw
ing from upon the refusal OF the other States to adopt
such amendments they desired but regarding the
effect OF their ratification OF the constitution in entirely
different light from the seaessioniss OF the present day.
they adopted quite different policy SO far as we
gather light and information from the opinions and
tons OF the who framed and adopted the cOnstu
ton, all goes strengthen and confirm the conviction
already expressed against the existence OF any such
1 right"
MIR Jefferson and General Jackson also left on record
strongly expressed opinions to the same effect, well
in favor Of the rule of the majority. which Mr. Soule
seems much opposed TO-
as among the vital principles OF our SYSTEM the preser
walton Of the general government. in its whole constu
tional ygor as The sheeancho Of our peace AZ home
and safety abroad jealous OF the right OF election
by the peoples mid and safe corrective OF abuses which
Topped of by the sword OF revolution, where peace
able remedies unprovded absolute acquescence in
the decisions Of the majority, the vital principle of repub
hes from which appeal but 10 force, the vital prin
cipe and immediate parent OF despo,ism
General Jackson, in equally emphatic language op.
posed the project OF secession and notification in 1882,
and stated the principle involved as follows:
The right of the people Of single State TO absolve
themselves al WILL and without the consent OF the other
States, from their solemn obligations, and hazard
the liberties and happiness Of the millions composing this
Union. cannot be acknowledged Such authority is be-
ieyed to be utterly epugnanl both the principles upon
which the general government 10 constitutes and to the
objects which it was expressly formed TO attain.
Against all acts which may be alleged TO transcend
the constitutional power OF the government. which
may be nconvenient oppressive in ber operation, the
constitution itself has prescribed the modes Of redress 1t
is the acknowledged attribute OF free institutions that
under them the empire OF and law is substituted
for the power OF the sword To other ap.
peas for supposed wrongs be made consistently with the
oblig OF South CaToina other such ap-
peals be made with safety at any time and 10 their decs
ions, when constutionally pronounced, il becomes the
in every case. 10 yield patriotic submission.
That q Siats.r or any other great portion OF the
people, suffering under long and inoerable oppression,
and having tried all constitutional remedies without The
hope OF redress, may have natural right when their
happiness be no otherwise secured, and when they
do without greater injury to others, 10 absolve
themselves from their obligations TO the government and
appeal TO the last resort need not on the present
sion, be denied
No. ~, rs Al r.obt
upon the causes which may justify its exercise 1t is the
ultima ao which pesnpposes that the proper appeals 10
and which never be rgh,fuy resored to unless j, be
unavoidable II is not the right OF the State but OF the
individual and of all the individuals in the State II is
the right OF mankind generally, TO by all
in their power. The blessings OF liberty and happiness
but when, for these purposes, any body OF have vol
unfairly associated themselves ander particular form Of
government portion OF them dissolve the assoca
lion without edging The correalve right in the
remainder TO decide whether that dissolution be
permitted consistently with the general happiness. In
this view j, is right Dependent, upon the power TO
| force IT,"
| So il seems Gen jackson did moi consider submission
TO the law dasardy but patriotic and think we need not
same feeling-Mr. Soue to the contrary notw,hsand-
ing
in Mr. Madison's report on the Virginia resolu tons
in the Declaration of Independence and the Kentucky
resolution Of I7ss, by Mr.. Jefferson He is as anioru.
nate here, IN relying on authority repudiaed by its
thors, as be was in instance the Senate on the
Compromise In coniendng that the public lands in Cal
ilorna, when she admitted. would by the effect OF
the constitution and from the nature OF State sove-
reignty, vest in the State without compact he quoted
remark made in favor OF many years since by Judge Nc
Knly in the United States Senate. q once had such
idea myself before examined the sublect) Mr. Web.
ser in reply 10 him, produced decision OF the Supreme
Court OF the Uaed States, drawn up and delivered by
Judge McKinly, expressly repudiang and denying the
doctrine This created some amusement, but ] could
not Join in it. II much the expense of Louis.
lana craftsmanship
4 This nj al nd Madison war
lied on by the advocates OF notification in 1892 and
about that time denied by Mr. Madison for himself
and Mr.. Jefferson, and repudaied by Gen Jackson,
who knew them both well, and acted with them mem.
beers OF the party in The famous epoch OF i79So1
find the clearly and ably stated late editorial
OF the Washington Union, by the present talented and
experienced editor OF that paper major Doneson,) who
family and private secretary of Gen Jackson and knsp
him more Intimately, and more OF him in public and
private, than any man living that will il here in
stead OF my own language:
10 say that one OF many parties 10 a compact which
creates for them common government, and which pos
sesses portion OF all their sovereignty, can at its pleas
ue, with without cause, abrogate that government
surdty than to say that where ten are at sea in
vessel, the joint property OF all Of them has right
to bore hole in the vessel and sink IT, and The others
would have no right 10 prevent it,
at IL said, however, that Mr.. Jefferson taught dn-
feren doctrine in the civil reformation OF 1900. and his
sanction OF the Virginia and Kenuck resolutions is cited
to prove it, This authority is founded upon the decara
among parties having common Judge, each party has
equal right to Judge for itself, well OF infacons
of the and mode of redress and upon similar
declaration the Virginia document that the States who