Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-28
SECESSION.

We have seldom seen more compact and
conclusive argument than that contained in the
following communication to the Charleston Mer-
curry, showing the fallacy Of the doctrine of peace
able secession. That doctrine asserts that State
has an unquestionabe right, with or without cause
ofcomplaint, to withdraw from the Union, as the
proposition is generally put, to relief itself of all
obligations the Union by surrendering its bene-
fits. This theory, as our readers are aware, we
hold to be unsound. We think its heresy is ire
futably established by the terms of the Articles
of Confederation and those of the Federal con-
..itution. But upon this subject, it may be well
to add, lest we might be misunderstood, that we
fully believe in the abstract right of State to
secede, provided the constitutional compact has
been violated to her injury; the question whether
it has been violated not, she cannot expect her
confederates to permit her to decide, without re-
gard to their judgments. Her withdrawal must be
a greater detrment 10 them than any ordinary
cause of war amongst Independent nations. If
she is actually in the right, and the other States
wrongfully insist upon the injury of which she
complains the justice of her cause will enable her
to appeal to the sympathies of the civilized world
to sustain her. But the last arbitramen of arms is
the only recourse to which she can reasonably
look. The doctrine of peaceabe secession is, in
our view, an anomaly no less than heresy. 1t
allows State to do what no independent sove-
reign can do without mourning the hazards of
war and what no individual is permitted to do 10
his fellow-citizen, under the municipal law. In
one word, it suffers one party to contract to can
eel at will, and leaves the remaining parties no
remedy for the injury. But we give place to the
Mercury's communication:
BARNwELL C. H., 18th April, 1851.
To The Editors of the Charleston Mercury
GENTLEMEN: AS know ONO more proper channel
through which the people OF State should be inform
ed upon public questions OF the utmost importance TO
them, than the public journals ofthe country, at the
time that eneh questions may arise, you will permit me
submit TO your consideration few qUeres, to which
| most respectfully request plain and Ineligible
swers, viz
lat. What original compact If any, was the founda-
OF the present Constitution formed by OF the thir-
teen United States in 1887!
3D. Iyou concede that the "atcles of Confederation
and perpetual Union hearing date the 9Th OF July IT'S
as entered into and confirmed by the several Stntes in
that Convention represented and assembled formed
The basis OF the Constitution o 1857 and which is the
preseot Constitution OF these United States will you
be kind enough ioform what and Is the polit-
zeal or literal deoion OF the caption those articesl
Also what was nended by that portion Of the thirteenth
arEjca ofthis Confederation where says: "And the
articles of this Confederation shall he nvioaby obser-
we'd by every state, and the Union shall be perpetua2
And again what do believe were the then purposes
and ntenioos OF those who framed and engaged
"a that Consideration when they say IN further and
concluding clause of thoss articles: "And do further
soemly pledge and engage the faith Of respective
constituents that they shall abide by the Determinations
OF the United STATES in Congress assembled, IN all
questions which by the said Confederation submitted
them and that The articles thereof shall be iovolaby
observed by Inc States respectively represent. and
that the Union shall be perpetual. Ia witness whereof
have heeunte set OUT hands in Congress" 10 that
Congress South Carolina was Represented by hye menu
bers