The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1851-01-16

GAEHaAAhM AANNWNAlMl.
A sermon preached in Cumberland-s,
Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston,
on Friday, Dec 5, 1850. BY Taos. B. SUM
nERs." The religious observance of the
Fast Day appointed by the Legislature,
was we believe universal, and nearly all
the Clergy felt that there was a propriety
and even duty in addressing their congre-
cations upon the great political crisis which
had suggested the occasion. Among these
discourses we heard that Of the Rev. DR..
SUMMERS, spoken Of as most impressive
1t is now published and may be obtained
at the book store of Mr.. SToY and Of
Messrs. C%oURTENAY and WlENoEs. We
trust it will be generally circulated and
read. 1t is something for the times, and
furnishes food equally for the minds and
the hearts of Christian men. We cannot
better illustrate its character than by quo
ting the strong clear views appended as a
note to the Discourse.
mo obligation has been laid on the pull
pit to enter into what are popularity called
political discussions. II has to do, how.
ever, with great moral principles, which
should be stated with all possible definite
ness and simplicity, so that their practical
application BY the people at large may be
both fscile and safe. The dual govern
ment under which our citizens are placed
and the consequent completely oil their
allegiance. together with the responsible
ties devolging upon them under republi-
can constitutions, make it highly expedi-
ent to use great ~plainness Of speech in set
ting forth the principles by which they
ought to direct their course.
"The several States Of the American
Confederacy are sovereign and indepen-
dent in all respects, except in those points
specified in the Federal Constitution,
which, by the consent Of the States, are
under the c~ognizance of the General Gov
eminent. AS the States existed before
the Confederacy, the duty of the citizen
is first to the State, then TO the Federal
Government; as indeed in some cases his
duty to the latter cannot be performed at
all, except through the former, as his con-
stitutional exponent. If the citizens or
government Of any particular State in
fringe upon the rights of the Federal Gov
ernment, as defined in the Constitution,
that Government has the means of redress,
and when it resorts 10 them all the other
citizens and States, in the Coniederacy are
bound TO make common cause in main
tanning its rights, no less than if the in-
tringemenf was from a foreign power
II, on the other hand, the Federal Gov
eminent exercises its functions, unconsti-
tutionally, SO as to Cypress the citizens Of
any particular State, or TO put their rights
in jeopardy, they must look for redress and
protection from their own State. And the
State Government is bound to interfere
and to seek BY all honorably, pacific meas
uTes the satisfaction required. If it fail
IN the effort it must call a Convention of
the people Of the State, who are, under
God, tho fountain of a%utorily, having orig
mated the State Constitution, and made
the State a party in the Federal compact.
That Convention is competent 10 deter
mine the question by submission to the
grievance, by compromise, or by resistance,
involving secession or revolution. And il
is the duty Of the citizens OF any State
so circumstanced, TO abide the decision OF
the sovereign power, or quietly seek an
other home"