Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-10-27
[PROPRIETORS.

tuliy and reluctantly, 10 yield to the Ydrcc
of concurring evidence. establishing TIA,
there exists in that State general dsssaiis.
faction with, and general desire 10 with
draw from, the Union; and that bo,l, par
ties--that which is for separate State ac-
ton, and that which insists upon the ncces.
si,y Of the cooperation Of other State
equally agree as to the cxpejiency 81 Sc
cession, and differ only in the degree of
rashness or prudence which characterizcs
them respectively.
Modification and secession have sprung
from the Same metaphysical school; aud
the latter is the ally, if no, the oflspriag Of
the former. They both agree ,ha, single
State is invested with power TO nullity the
laws Of all the other States, passed by Con
gress; but nulifca,ion claims right 10 ac.
complish that object. and to remain a, the
same time in the Union; willis, secession
asserts Iight TO attain it, by Withdrawing
from the Union, and absolviug the State
from all obligation to the Constitution and
laws Of the United States. They both
maintain that resort 10 cisher process is
peaceful and iegiun.ate. NulRhcatieh &c.
rived an ambiguous but contested support
from the memorable resolutions OF the
States Of Virginia AID Kentucky, adopted
in lT9S--9; but these resolutions afford no
color or counenanco TO the prctensions of
secession.
The doctrine Of secession assumes. tha;
any one OF the thirty.onc States composing
the Union. wherever or however situated.
whether in the interior or on the f~onlier.
has a right, upon its own separate viii,
and according to the dictates oiits exclusive
judgment. to withdraw from the Union
whenever it plcases; that this nc, OF seces-
sion is peaceful, and not to be controverted
or obstruc,ed by the rest of the States, or
the application of any force. within thr
limits Of the seeding State 10 execute the
laws the United States, and that thcrcap-
on, the State and its citizchs are absolved
from all obligations and duties 10 the Uni.
ted States and becomes power indepcn
dent and sovereign as any ofthe natious Of
the earth. The doctrine maintains that n
right Of secession may he exercised when
ever the State deems it has sufficient cause;
at all tlmes--in q state Of profound peace
and prosperity. or in the midst of a furious
war, raging in all our borders; and that, in
the latter cnse, Transforming itself into
distinct aud independent nation, it may a.
cape the calamities OF war, make a separate
treaty Of peace with the common enemy,
become neutral, or even ally with that enc
my, and take up arms against the United
States
1t asserts this right, although it may lead,
IN process Of time, TO the promscuous dot
ting over, upon the surface of the territory
ofthe United States, Of petty independent
nations, establishing for themselves any
form Of government, free or despolic,
knownto mankind, aud mlerrup,ing the in.
tercourse eP4 81 4ns yq}9issf }lWs Of the d;smcm6ereJ
confederacy. 1t contends for this right, as
well for Louisiana as for South Carolina,
although the province of Louisiana cost us
so much money, and was nigh involving
us in foreign war; for Texas, although it
occasoned US a war with Mexico, the pay
ment Of ten millions of dollars to arrange
its boundaries and TO acquire 1t, many We're
willing to risk war with England; and
for distant California although that wusac-
quired by the double title of conqucs, and
the payment Of an ample pccunary con-
slderation.
If, indeed, the Union. under which we
have so long and generally SO happily
lived, be thus fragile and liable TO crumble
into pieces, we must cease TO boast OF the
wisdom OF our foreiarihers who framed it
---tcar from our hearte the sentiments of
gratitude and veneration with which they
had inspired us, and no longer expect an
enlightened world to besiow the unbound
cd praise which it has hitherto lavished on
them. A doctrine so extraordinary and
indetcnsible, fraught with the destruction
quences, finds no encouragement or sup
port in the constitution of the United Stnlcs.
IL had none under the articles of conicde
ration, which formed in terms perpetual
Union, however otherwise weak and inef
fciont the government was which they cs
tablished. That ineficiency erose out Of
the fact, that il operated not on the people
directly, but upon the States, which might,
and often did, fail to comply with the re.
QUESTIONS made on them by Congress
To correct that defect, and 10 form d more
perfect Union, the present constitution was
adopted. 1t had been alleged that the un-
ION Of the States, undcr the articles of con-
federation, was held together only by
rope of sand; but il was a rope Of adamant,
compared with the cord which now binds
us. If the right Of secession is sanctioned
and sustained.
The constitution Of the United States es-
tablished government md, like all gov
ernments, it was TO be perpetual, or to have
unlimited duration. TWAS not restricted TO
the existing generation, but comprehended
pos'eritya The preamble declares. that
ave, the people ofthc United States, in or
der 10 form more perfect Union. establish
justice, ensure domestic tranquility, pro
vide for the common defence. promise the
general welfare, and secure the blessings
Of liberty to ourselves and our postcrity,
do ordain and establish this constitution for
the United States Of America" 1t makes
provision expressly for the admission OF
new States into the Union; but from the be-
ginning to the end Of it, no, clause is TO
be found which gives any authority or CO.
or Of the right OF secession Of State once
admitted into the Union.
The partizans Of this novel and strange
doctrine attempt to support it on two
grounds: First, they contend that. by an
express amendment OF The constitution, as
all powers not granted to the government,
Of the United States are reserved 10 the
State, or to the people, the power or right
Of secession is not granted, and that Il is
therefore retained by the State and the
people and may be exercised at their plea
sure.
This arguments refu'cd by either oftwo
sufficient answers. The contested power
cannot beretained; If its reservation be 10.
compatible with the obligations ofthe con-