Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-09-11
POLITICAL.
From Mc Monitor.
'EhC Right Of Secession.


This doctrine is now asserted by those
who propose to use it for the purpose Of
breaking up the Union, and by those who
sag they do not mean to use it for any such
purpose; but it is a little strange that those
who have no use for it, are more vehement
and jealous in urging the right, than those
who are urging lis application as IA rene
dy; probably because they wish 10 prove
their zeal to be orthodox with the high
priests of disuuion as to the abstract prin-
ciple, in atonemcnt for some lacl, of prac-
teal cooperation. However tbs may be,
this doctrine, we regard, as a most DANCE
rouse hcresy; we think it has no foundation
in the constitution, and never had the con
currencc Of any considerable proportion
Of either ofthc great political parties which
ever divided the country.
1t is not pretended that there is any thing
il He constitution which declare or con
firms this right: (though Mat docs not prove
tlat the right does not cxist.) 1t is, ii no
inst sense, u constitutional right, therefore
If the right exists, it is something out Of
the ordinary course Of things.- No gov
ernment could be supposed to contain a
provision for, or to sanction as a right, its
own destruction. 1t would be contradic-
tory to all our notion Of government, to
assert for those over whom il was exercis-
ed, liberty Of disobcyng, or escaping, at
pleasure from its laws or obligations. 1t
is true that it is of little or no consequence,
whether it be right expressly secured by
the constitution or not. if it be a right a.
bovc the constitution, or outside Of the con
stitution, and not affected by ia political
as distinguished from natural and revo-
lutionry righ: it would be entitled, in such
case, to be respected as much as if express
ly guaranteed. 1t may be conceded, too,
that the states having been once supreme
ly sovereign and Independent of each other,
(though this has been dcnied) it rests with
those who assert any diminution or abridgc-
ment Of sovereign power, TO provcit. This
we propose to try to do.
The colonies, having united together to
defend themselves against Great Britain,
formed a general government for national
purposcs:-they entered into "artclcs OF
confederation" These bound them to "a
perpetual union" This government, moi
answering the purposes dcsigned,-it not
being sufficiently national,-at the instance
of Virginia, a convention of delegates from
the states was called, to frame (and did
frame) new constitution Of government:
that constitution, on its face declares its
purpose to be, 'to form a more perfect IN
ion.'' 1t was ratified by the people of the
states sevcrally, through their delegates in
convention assembled. Now, stopping
here for moment: Would it not be strange
If the constitution forming the 'morc per
feet union," had made the same union dis
soluble at pleasure, when the articles made
it perpetadK Now, the objection 10 the
old confederation was, not that the union
it formed was too lasting: ii was that it was
not ciosc enough; and the convention would
have mendcd matters mightly,f if it hdd
made Tie mnioa closer and givingto disaf
fccted state a right TO break it up when
she chose; to make that union dependent
on the temporary whims, caprices, interests
or passions, the dishonest ambition; or c.
ven the honest delusions and prejudices Of
bare majority of a single, and that tho
smallest, statcl Take notice, too, at thi:
very time, several OF the states had mani
tested a truculent hostility 10 the fedora
action and authority; and Rhode Island
stood out in refusing to pay her quota tn,
public burthcns incurred by the war of tho
revolutions refused to pay her share of tht
purchase money Of the general freedom
This, then, was hardly a time, when con
vention, meeting to make a stronger anc
more national government, should have al
tered the government from perpetual t'
one existing at the pleasure of each mem
bcr,-and this under the pretexi Of making
4 "more perfect union!"
Rhode Island did not ratiiy the consii
tuition and come into the Union until altc
the other States. In September, 1889
the Governor Of that State, Eat the reques
and in behalf of the General Assembly
addressed a letter to the President ane
Congress, giving reasons why that Stat
did not unite with the others. From tina
letter we make the following extract =
The people of this State, from It's lirs
settlement, have been accustomed au'
strongly attached TO a democratical form
of government. They have viewed IN tn
new constitution an approach, though per
haps small, towards that form of govern
ment with which we have lately dissolve,
our connexion, at 50 much hazard and ex
pense OF life and treasure. They hav'
seen with pleasure the administration there
of, from the most important trust down
wards, committed TO those who have high
" mcritcJ, and in whom the people Of tn
United States place, unbcunded confidence
Yet oven in this circumstance, IN itself S,
fortunate, they have apprehended DANCE
by way of precedent Can it be though
strange, then, that with these impressions
they should wait 10 see the proposed sys
TEN organized and ln operation; to 81