North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-18
For tho North Carolina Standard.

EE For tho North Carolina Standard
To the General Assembly Of North Carolina.
GENTLEMRN: In our last number we took the oc-
casion in concluding remarks say, hatalthough
there but kind Of allegiance, proper, yet that
every citizen Of the United States has come under
two separate, distinct and perfect obligations, which
were binding upon mans conscience to tls extent
they have been either assumed or imposed.
To the Federal Government we owe an assumed
and secondary allegiance fealty TINS realty being
permissve (by the Sates) in its origin becomes SUBJ
ordinate in its nature and bears some strong resem-
bance the oath of eay required ny the feudal law
which was ALWAYS taken with saving and exception
in favor of the supreme lord.
As by the feudal law oath was required to be
taken by eyery tenant his immediate landlord, SO
by the State, "to support the Constitution OF she
United States.
ment was to be made to the absolute superior him.
self (who was vassa to man, it was no longer
called the oath of fealty but allegiance proper by
the constitution, when you required to take an
oath TO the State its constituted authorities
you bear true allegiance only.
From this striking analogy, founded in reason and
the nature of things feel fully justified in saying
that the allegiance as understood by the ancient law
was imposed by the State constitution, and that
North Carolina is alone the superior Lord and
that she having reIinquished the obligation of
her citizens, commands fidelity and Furnishes dlsobe-
dience though life itself should be the forfeit
Now, in all this there is no inconsistency or ncon-
TTulty III the Two HelIIleE
they perfect for before said, denies that
constitutional law is not obligatory.
We go still further and affirm that allegiance in
its primary has yer been much as claimed
by the federal government by any OF its constitu
ted authorities; and in this amply sustained
by the oath itself prescribed by act of Congre for
members OF the General Assembly and for all persons
in civil station, which is simply to support The con-
stituticn of the United States.
He who would not support it, as he understand 1t,
is traitor both to God and his county aud they
who, by their ingenious CLOSES and interpretations
by introducing Il comma here and seml-colon there,
for the purpose of pervertng its meaning, and attain
inc political end, deserve 10 be hung by the heels
as nigh as Human, and sho; with wooden nutmegs.
" hat then does this State oath, which you have
all taken mean? Neither more nor less than faith
tuuess the :. common Lord and superior, in OPP
position all men and all governments, without any
saving exception in the very language OF the
feudal law, confra 0ntnes fdelitatem facit.''
Yes, this it means, and we know that every North
Caronian feels it, and like the captive Jews IN Baby
Ion, when required TO sing song in strange land,
that you too will ecoect your oppression aud the
gross outrage upon your rights, - hang your harps
upon the willows" and refuse TO chaunt requIeIns to
the glorious Union, until those rights secured
Then, but not until then, will your mrlh and Joy
return; and then will join with you IN your lou
dest hozanna for it is in fact OF The songs OF our
political Zion.
We have said that no man denies that constu-
uonal law Is not binding in conscience we 60 fur
lneT dnO say, that as NORM CdIOUud
tans her present relation to the federal Union, that
such c law is superior any law obligation the
State impose.
The ultra State rights man, the Nulli6er him
self, never took such extreme position He maIn-
ianed that it was State sovereignty alone Speaking
through convention of delegates chosen for that
perss PurPose) that took up the question of consli
nationality, the federal Judiciary; but to
Congress of States; and that pending this appeal
the law was suspended; and that nothing short of
two-thirds of the States could give it vitality.
Let not secession, then, be asSinilaed TO nu!lhca
ton; they differ toto ceoo for the only possible
sembance Isl that they start from the point,
but here they diverge and take opposite directions,
and with opposite views.
Modification claims TO be 1oikhin the constitution
at the very time lis laws nulli6ed. But seces
sion says that although the right is fully recognized
by the delegates ratyng, and is in perfect accord
ance with the theory of the government, yet its
practical exercise places State wifhOuf the federal
Mon, and as such she can have no connexon with
in.
Modification claimed to be perfectly harmless, but
secession, inheriting the chivary, well the
dor of her sires frankly avows that she Is deStruct
tive to The federal Union.
AWAY then with the simlitude. which has been at
tempted for he who cannot see the difference is eth
ar stupid leatherheaded ass, the his
has been closed by strong prejudice,
by apathetic and criminal indifference his rights.
To such doubt the rig of Stale TO secede, and
ienv that it was so understood by those who rail-
led the federal Constitution, call their attention to
IN authority which cannot be questioneG-to the
atifcation by the States of New ork Rhode Island,
Massachusetts and Virginia, 18th VOL EIlioi's debates,
I'll, 2l5, 2l7, 223.
Such were their mlsgivings and such their jealousy
IF the rights of tine Staies that they would not
,ede to that compact without the cypress condition
their part that the powers thereby delegated might
resumed by the States, al the pleasure of the peo
pie; yes, in the very language of Virginia, whea
'ver the shall be perverted to their injury or
1ppresson.''
Can language be stronger or more signfcanrthan
his
This brings the main point, and becomes the full
,rum upon which secession her lever and removes
her people from and beyond any power which may be
rightfuy exercised by the federal government.
OF this in next. PEDEE.