The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-22
THE UNION.


outoBs OF I79399, is 10 be the judge, not only OF the
s.nractons." but 1.-THE mode and measure OF redress
the just right OF the people change their form OF
government when, in their opinion II has become yranni-
CAL mode not provided for in the constitution, and is
therefore revolutionary in its character and depends Tor
its maintenance upon the stout hearts and strong arms Of
a free people.
In connection with this branch Of the subject, a,ques
ton which, the opinion OF some, OF consldeTa-
BILE importance II is whether not the citizens OF
State thus resumng her sovereign powers would be ma
Bile 10 the charge OF treason in conforming to the require
mens OF their State government refer to this particu-
lay only in consideration OF the Importance attached to
by others From what have said II will clearly APP
pear that hold that they would not be- In my opinion,
no man commits treason who acts in obedience TO the
laws and authorities OF regularly organized government,
such as we recognise State governments to be.
But there is question: gentlemen involved IN your IN
which have yet considered II involves the important
inquiry whether. in the event of State seeding from
the Union and the Executive OF the United States making
a equston for troops to her back, L. ii elected
governor OF Georgia, would obey that Tequsiton This
question may become practical onel sincerely trust
and hope il never will Under the existing laws of the
United States the President has power TO order out
the militia to coece seeding State. Neither the act
of 1895 the act OF 1907 would apply in such an
uals. acting without the authority of any State gov.
eminent, resist by force the laws OF the United
Slates-to riots and nsurecions-to such cases as
we apprehensve few months since might
be manifested in opposition to the fugitiye-slave law
in portions of the northern States That this is the
construction to be placed upon these acts WILL be
period OF history when the State OF South Carolina
threatened 10 secede from the Union; he then found
necessary invoke the aid OF additional legislation by
Congress- Hsappea to the then Congress resulted IN the
passage OF the law Familiarity known as "the force bill
but that being temporary In It's object and character
has lost all Of its vitality and long since ceased 70 De OF
force having expired by its own limitation In the con-
tngency involved your question: i would be necessary
that the President, if his views OF right and policy led
him should ask of Congress additional legis-
Iaon. and it would be for them to determine whether or
not they would grant it, II State should secede, and
the President should recommend to Congress such legis
laon and Congress should grant it, then your question
fully freely, and frankly II would be the most fearful
issue that ever the people OF this country have been
called to decide since the days OF the revoluon-so
momen,ous vital to the interests OF the people Of
Georgia. that should feel bound to ascertain the will
of that people before acted should endeavor TO be
the ereeut,us of The tOM Of the people Of Georgia To
the State, and recommend TO them to call convention
OF the people; and would be for that convention, rep
resentDg the people upon that naked ISSUE TO determine
whether Georgia would go out of the Union, and ally
herself and peril her destnes with the seeding State, or
whether she would remain in the Union and abide the
fortunes OF her other sisters And as Georgia spoke
would endeavor, if her executive to give power and ef
But collision Of arms between the States compo-
sing our glorious confederacy should ever come, II re-
ques no prophet predict the result The Union would
al beneath the weight OF revolution and blood and fall
fear rise II was formed in the hearts OF the
American people,, only be preserved In their hearts
When any very large portion OF lis inhabitants look upon
it as depressing and degrading hem-when they cease
to legacy OF Washington and the inherit
ance OF the blood OF the revolutonts vitality will be
gone and empty parchmenls. though aided by military
force, hold it together Hence we see the abo-
itionisls of the North denounclng asa covenant with
hell 1" and hence we hear the dsunonists OF the South
inamng the hearts of the people against il, announcing
that they have been degraded and oppressed by it, and
preparing eventually TO overthrow It. They are wise
men they understand the workings OF the human heart
and they we'll know that when the heart feels that wrong
indgnty, and insult have been heaped upon man, I'M
Prepare the hearts of the people 10 hate the Union OF
their fathers, and the battle is won-ihey are ready TO
fight against Hence, believing as do, that the late
Compromise such, the language of the Georgia plat.
FORM las she honor abide by, have used every
effort in my power stay this ceaseless and ruinous ag
taton, North and South and to keep the constitution
and the Union where our fathers erected them firmly
on the foundation of the peoples hearts
/ am, very respectfully, Your obedlent servant,
! HOWELL COBB.
Messrs John Rutherford, ~ Bass, r. A. L. Atkinson,
and others