The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-22
Mr. Cobb, Of Georgia.

This gentleman has written very able letter TO COM
ui,tee OF the citizens of Macon, discussing the doctrine
Of secession and the general merits of the Compromise
II il published in columns to-day The canvass in
which he is engaged as candidate for the office Of gov
amor is calculated to elicit all that be material TO
be the people of Georgia safe verdict upon
the monenous interests involved in the issues created by
the anaticism OF portion of northern population.
The southern rights party arms the constitutional right
Of State 10 secede al its pleasure from the Union, and
denounces as dangerous and yrannica the idea that the
remainder Of the people and the States nterpose any
legal action against such secession If we are capable Of
understanding the subject appreciate the force Of
argument, Mr.. Cobb has arrayed most happily and con-
cusvey, and in temper and tone that cannot be OBJ
jecied to by his opponents all the considerations which
fortify his own position and which refute the grounds
on which has been commended that the right OF secession
cannot be abandoned mparng the reserved rights
Of the States of Union He has referred to the views
Of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, and all the
patriots whose service brought them in contact with the
difficulties growing out of this delicate feature OF
complex system of government and under whose coun-
sells the collisions between federal and State auhori
ties which have yet taken place been seriously threat
ened have been emeded by those peaceful resorts which
are provided by the constitution He has shown that the
doctrine Of secession all such occasions been treated
assucidal and anrepubican has he omitted TO give
the fullest assent to the right of resistance and revolu
,ion which is the natural resort of all people when OPP
preston and tyranny leave them other alternative
But between this right of revolution for acknowledged
and papable causes and the claim OF small fraction OF
society or Of States bound together in common
government destroy al pleasure that government there
al the difference that be between order and disor
der and this difference appears with its full weight in the
argument presented by Mr.. Cobb.
The reasoning on which the souihern-righs party of
the South places the right OF peaceabe secession, if fol-
lowed to it, legitimate results would defeat all govern
ment and particularly one like ours, which derives its
authority from the consent of the people for the people,
whether considered as composing State league of
States whether as citizens OF one State OF many States
united according to this logic. may subdvde at pleasure
and form as many there may be disaeced
or Discontinued parts portions The doctrine OF
suignty in the people being true, all admit il 10 be-
the ,ecessionss add that the government OF that SOW
er.isn,y is nothing than compact OF these people
with each oher-each individual binding himself sub
nit 10 that government only long be pleases because
bis sovereignty would be destroyed the privilege Of
cedng were among his reserved rights To such alb
ud results would be brought by the theory OF State
rights proclaimed in many portions OF our Union,
and in some quarters BY individuals who profess to ven
crate the names OF Washington, Jefferson, and Jackson
But il is not our intention to enter in srtenso upon a
subject which Mr. Cobb has discussed with consumma,e
ability We could no, publish his remarks without call
L. ~ nd With tpr
pressing the hope tina, those of our fellow citizens who
may have been led into the belief that the doctrine OF Sc
cesson may be made practical without breaking up
entire system OF government, will read those remarks
carefully, and pause before they take step in so sad
direction. We do not see even, why those who enerah
opinions adverse TO the admonitons OF Washington, and
his most distinguished in the chief magsracy
oil the Union, may not find in the explanations Mr..
Cobb gives Of the Compromise sufficient to accept
as a fortunate remedy for evils which were under
mining all the foundations OF peace and good order in
whole land Whatever be the views entertained of the
absrac, right Of secession, all must admit that IT ought
not to be exercised unless there be extreme oppression
and tyranny in the government; and it cannot be pre-
tended that there is in the Compromise such wrongs It
is admitted that OF the provisions OF that measure
were unknd 10 the South-that some OF them indeed.
were unjust 40 far az the Wilmot provso operative
in delaying territorial governments for the country
CURED from Mexico; but all candid minds must say
that gross misconcepon exaggeraon 10 denounce
such wrongs as insoerabe oppression and to hold them
up to public Indignation calling for resort to thai,
ULTIMA ratio by which brave people stake their all in
Withdrawing their allegiance from an established govern.
ment and setting up new one in its place
That our readers may the perfec, agreement be-
tween the arrived at by Mr. Cobb on the sub
&c, Of secession and the propositions maintained by Mr.
Jefferson and General Jackson on the same subject we
close these observations with two extracts from the
sages Of these statesmen and patriots.
In his first inaus ura address, Mr. Jefferson sets down,
among the vital principles OF our system, THE PRES
viros Of the general government. IN us whole eonst'
ut,ona y,gor as the sheet-dneor of peace at home
and 'ofsty abroad Jealous of the right Of election
BY the people mud and safe corrective of abuses whic
Topped of by the cord Of revolution where peaeeaJie
remedies unpropded; absolute otquiesxnx hs de-
einons Of the majority The vita principle Of republics,
from rh,h appeal bm 10 force The p,tai punepiean
immediate parent Of despot'sm."
General Jackson, in equally emphatic language, OPP
posed the project OF secession and nulcaon in 1892
and stated the principle involved as follows;
The right Of the people of single State absolee
themselves WILL and without the consent Of the other
States, from their most solemn obligations. and hazard the