Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-28
THE "RIGHT OF SECESSION"

4. THE aRIGHT OF SECESSION"
A belief, says the Macon (Ala.) Republican, in
the doctrine of the right of secession is now incul-
Gated by the Disunonists, as the fundamental con-
dition of the preservation Of our liberties. Such,
certainly, formed part of the political creed OF
the trainers OF our republican Government. WASH
NeToN's advice to his countrymen in his Farewell
Address, although it is familiar to every one, is
but too little needed. "The Unity" said he, the
: Unity of our Government, which constitutes you
one people, is also now dear to you. II is justly
SO, for it is main pillar in the edifce of your
realindependence-the supporter your tranquility
at home, your peace abroad; of your safety, OF
your prosperity, Of that ueyy liberty which you so
$ highly prize" And again:
II is of infinite moment that you should pro-
perly estimate the immense value of your national
. UNION to your collective and individual happi-
ness that you should cherish cordial, habitua,
{ and immovable attachment to it, accustoming
yourselves to think and speak of as of the pal
: ladium Of your political safety and prosperity
dscountenancing whatever may suggest even a
suspicion that it can, in any event, be abandoned
8 and Indignantly frowning upon the first dawning
Of every attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion OF our
country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred
: ties which now link together the various parts.
Such, also, was the estimate that Mr.. JEFFERSON
placed upon the National Union. In his first In
augural Address on the 4th of March, 1901, ne
said: !" If there be any among you who would
wish to dissoDe this Union, or to change Its re-
publican form, let them stand undisturbed as
!. monuments Of the safety with which error OF
opinion may be tolerated when reason is left free
: to combat it,
4 So, likewise, Mr.. MADISON, in his Inaugural on
the 4thof March, 1909, taught his countymen " to
hold the Union of the States as the basis of their
Z peace and happiness"
Such were The opinions and doctrines as taught
by the Fathers of the Confederacy, and who de-
voutly prayed that the Union might be perpetual.
If they differ somewhat from the opinions and doc
trines of those who are laboring to dissolve the
Union as soon as possible, we apprehend that they
are entitled TO as much weight and influence in the
deliberations Of the American people.
On the same subject as the above the following
notice, which we have just met with in the Augusta
(Georgia) Chronicle of Saturday last, is elworthy
Of the readers attention:
As the question: whether secession is Ga constitutional
right or one reserved by the States and therefore ndepen
dent Of the Constitution is now discussed with great appa
rent earnesness and zeal BY the dunons and their organs
nGeorgs most whom proclaim it constitutional right"
and catholic opinion Of the Charleston Mercury whose orho
doxy in such matters presume the party and its organs in
Georgia will not question.
is very seldom that concur in the Mercurys opinions
upon political constitutional questions asits ulasm almost
always leads far beyond position but this instance
forms an exception the general rule and therefore
mend it, views to the consideration of its sympahzers
Georgia.
Ia IN omark
opinion in brief commendaory notice Of speech delivered
by Mr. KE1rr, Of Orangebug, before the Southern Rights
Association Of that district, in which the right Of secession
was proclaimed ga constitutional right" from which the
Mercury thus dssents
In one particular we should qualify entire assent to
the views Of the speaker though do not suppose that
really differ from him. We refer to his assertion that
cesson is constitutional right Properly speaking, the
constitution embodes the rights Of the Federal Government
the rights Of the States To the latter belong all the
powers and rights that not surrendered to the former
On this point End what consider the true statement Of
the speech delivered in the North Carolina Senate
at its late session, BY the Hon VIM Shepard In reply
to opponent who bad relied Mr. Clays profound dis
covey that there could be right OF secession because It
not specified in the constitution, Mr. Shepard said
tThe gentleman from Guilford looks into the constitution
Of the United States not find what rights his constituents
have surrendered but what rights have been guaranteed to
them Leaving the gentleman settle this important point
with his constituents will repeat what have already stated
have commended for secession right derived from
guaranteed by the constitution said in my resolutions
submitted the Of the session, that the right
secede from it he Unon) is right Of self defence and
protection which the people Of North Carolina have
surrendered, and surrender with due regard to
their safety and welfare. This proposition main
nate, in strict conformity with the theory Of Govern
and il has not been surrendered by the people, is
PROFESSIONALLY reserved to them :"