The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-24
From the Rome Soiltherner.
Coercion Of q State.

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From the Rome Southerner. IA,
Coercion OF State.
Mr.. Webster, in a letter lately written by him,
declared, in reference to- the movement in South
Carolina, that /" secession could not be accom-
plished but by war" From the position occu-
pied by Mr.. Webster, it is presumed that he
speaks the sentiments of Mr.. Fillmore's govern
ment and his letter may be regarded as a dec
laration of war, in advance, against South Caro-.
lima, in case she should choose to exercise the
right which she possesses of retiring from the
Union The question is thus presented has
the United States government the right to make
war upon seeding State! We shall rot CON-
nit the presumption of arguing constitutional
question with the "great expounder;' we intend
only to produce authority Mr.. Webster is
great authority, but as great as it is it is hardly
equal to that Of the trainers of the Constitu-
ton. They, it is presumed, knew the Constitu-
ton better than Mr. Webster. The following
extracts from the Madison papers, an authentic
record of the proceedings of the convention
which framed the Constitution, show that the
authors of the Constitution never contemplated
the use of force against State, and that they
expressly refused 70 confer that power upon the
government. The following was a clause in one
of the resolutions submitted to the convention
by Mr.. Randolph, of Virginia:
"Resolued, That the national Legislature ought
to be empowered to call forth, the force of the
Union against any member OF the Union failing
to fulfil its duties under the articles thereof"
When this clause came up for consideration,
aMr Madison observed that the more he re-
hected on the use of force, the more he doubted
the practicablity, the justice, and the efficiency
Of it, when applied to the people collectively,
and not individually. A union OF the States,
containing such an ingredient seemed to provide
for its own destruction. The use of force
against State would look more like decara-
ton of war than an infection of punishment,
and would probably be considered by the party
attacked, as dissolution Of all previous conf
pacts by which it might be bound. He hoped
such system would be framed as might render
this resource unnecessary. and moved that the
clause be postponed. This motion was agreed
TO, no one dissenting" U.s.
So the clause was postponed, and never after
wards taken up, or at least il was not inserted
in the Consultation, so that the conclusion is ir.
resistible, that Mr. Madson's suggestion was
adopted by the convention, and that such sys-
tenn was framed as wit! held from the govern
ment those powers to use force against State.
This conclusion is strengthed, if possible, by
the action Of the convention upon Mr.. Patter.
sons plan of a constitution, subsequently sub
mitted. That contaned the following provision;
"ResolUed, That if any State should oppose
the CARRYING into execution the acts Of the
United S ates, the federal executive shall be
authorized to call forth the power OF the con.
federate States, or as much thereof rs may be
necessary TO enforce and compel obedience to
such acts"
Mr.. Patterson's plan was rejected and il was
objected TO in debate. chiefly because 1t CON-
prised the above provision. Col. Mason said,
:. He was struck with horror at the prospect Of
recurring TO this expedient," 1.-THE use of force
against State) Col. Hamilton, In reference
10 such provision, observed: sHow can force
be exerted in the States collectively! Is Il pos.
sible! Il amounts TO war between the par.
ties"
Thus did the trainers Of the Constitution ex-
pressly and repeatedly repudiate the idea fem.
ploying force against State. How, then, can
this power now be claimed! Can Il be given
in the Constitution in spite Of the express de
termination its trainers not to give IL! The
Union was plainly intended BY its authors to be-
n Union OF voluntary consent. They left IL 10
The States 10 decide. each for itself, whether
they would enter the Union in the first instance.
md by refusing to grant the power 10 compel
them to remain in it, thew, in effect, said 10 the
States, "remain in the Union rs long as you
please. but if you Get tired Of IL, depart 10
peace" But il is now discovered that ours is
Union of force, not Of consent q Union TO be
held together not BY sense Of common in.
terest, glory and happiness, but by the terrors
OF the sword Let such views prevail lei the
doctrine that State may be rightfully coerced
by the federal sword be once carried into effect,
and you erect the government OF the Union in
absolute tyranny you degrade the States 10
condition of absolute vassaiage you establish
precedent that will invite aggressions upon the
rights Of the States, and in the end sweep away
every yestige of her sovereignty. The South,
especially, cannot permit such n precedent
unless she is blind, fatally blind TO her own
interest and safety.
The hostility Of the Northern people 10 the
institution Of slavery. connected with the fact
that they have nov the control Of the general
government IN all its departments, loudly pro-
claims the danger to the South Of arming that
government, with the power n coprce State,
The course Of time, and indeed no great time,
will give an immense prepnnderance TO the Nor
;iern section, already IN The mriority, and reduce
Che South TO depised minority, while. in the
neanl,me, the sentiment Of hostility N slavery
IN the stronger section, vii become more violent
and ungovernable Under such circumstances,
The only possible security TO the institution Of
slavrr ~ would have bccu the right and power Of
the Southern ststes 20 separate from the Union.
But take away that right aud give power TO hold
them 10 the Union, as with chain II iron, and
10 coerce obedience tn whatever'laws the major
ity NAY dictate, and You at once seal the doom
OF the South; you sign the death warrant Of
slavery. We cannot believe the South will
stand idly by ard permit the government to as.
sumo power that sooner or later will be turned
10 her destruction. We cannot believe that
the South WILL herself put into the hands Of
her enemies, the sword that is 10 stab her TO the
heart.
RIVAL poR rnE "AsERicA.',--one Mr.. Mare,
Of Blackwell, England, has offered to build, in ten
weeks, yacht which will eclipse the New York
clipper A:asrica, and run her for E50O.