The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-11-01


would only exert her undoubsed privilege . one
of the sovereign confederates" This declar.tion
is based upon the notion that the Constitution Of
the United States is q mere league between SOW
eregn States who have preserved their whole SOW
ereignty. But the Constitution of the United
States forms government, and not league. Il
operates directly upon the people, individually, and
not upon the States. Each Stzte has surrendered
many essential portions Of its sovereignty for the
purpose Of constituting, with the other Seates, .
nation. To secede, then, is not to break league,
but, in the language Of Gen. Jackson, to destroy
the unity of nation.
Mr. Soule declares, substantially, that his alle-
glance 10 due to the State alone, and not 70 The
United States. Does not each Of US" ssys he,
in his speech, possess, do we not exsrt, whom
ever we please, the right Of changing our allegi-
ance oy passing from one State to the other. or 70
foreign State? Who denies il? Who doubts
it?"
Does Mr. Soule suppose that his allegiance to
the United States would be changed BY his pass
ing from Louissna to South Carolina, or to Mas
sachusetts! Has he not taken an oath Of aIlegi-
ance to the United Sates2 Has he not sworn 70
support the Constitution Of the United Stases9
Does not that Constitution pr0vde that the Copsti-
tuition and the laws Of the United States shall b.
the supreme law of the land and does il mot also
provide that the members of the several State L.
gislatures, and all executive and Judicial officers,
both Of the United States and of the several Sstss
shall be bound by OATH to support the Constitu-
ton! Does it not contain clause expressly con-
veying right to punish treason against the Uni
ted States? And is not treason the highest breach
Of allegiance?"
How can a citizen Of the United States ssy,
then, that he owes no allegiance to the United
States. and how can he imagine thas that allsgi-
ance is changed BY passing from ono Stats to ths
other, or to foreign State u
can scarcely imagine how even native Of
State, who has not reflected seriously upon the
true character and complicated structure Of our
government, and who mas been educated with
false feelings of State pride, and been taught th0
extreme doctrines of State Rights in the schools Of
abstractionsts and metaphysicians, can far loso
sight of the operations of the National Government
as for moment TO believe that he owes allegiance
to his native State aone and that he owes no alle-
glance to the United States. But confess myself
entirely at loss to understand how an adopsed
citizen whose right of citizenship has been confer
red upon him by the United States, and not by The
State in which he may chance TO live, and who.
at the time of his application to be admitted, must
have renounced and abjured all allegiance to the
citizen or subject and sworn to support the Con-
stitution Of the United States ! confess myself
entirely at loss to understand how such person
can believe that his allegiance is not due to tho
United States. rN.st t-a.-
These notions and these doctrines Of Mr.. SouIs,
1t carried out into practice, would destroy
tionei character as Americans, and put an end 70
the Union
Mr. Soue says, che is not for breaking this
confederacy; he is not for advising this State 10
join in any secession movement which NAV b
made by other States" Oh! no. He only argues
the right in the abstract. He would have the peo-
pie still endure. But this is a dangerous philoso-
ply Practically speaking, there is but one step
ment; from the suffering of wrong to its manly
redress. Ours is a government Of sentiment and
affection, and if the feelings of the people are once
allenaied from 1t, the Government from that mo-
ment is at an end.
What is it that the advocates of secession de.
sire. What would they have, who,seek to destroy
our Union, and to erect State into an independ-
ent na,ions
Who is not proud that he is an Americans Ths
| sun never shone upon happier and more pruspee- >
GUS people. We have increased in wealth, in pop
uiation, and in power, with rapidly which has
| astonished mankind. Our territory now reaches
from ocean to ocean. The power and prowess Of
the nation have been illustrated by sea and By
land. Star after star has been added 70 our ma
tonal flag. The freedom Of our institutions excitss
| the attention and commands the admiration of tho
world. Our country continues to be the asylum Of
the oppressed of all nations. Free, happy, and
powerful, we are known and respected in every
| quarter of the globe.
| Such are the results of our Union. But what
would be our condition, if we were divided into
rival and hostile States! | turn with horror from
| the contemplation of the misery which would
await us at home, and can see nothing but deeru-
| dation abroad Suppose Louisiana were to seeede
| from the Union; suppose one of her sons, in q
foreign land, were TO be threatened by the minions
of a tyranncal government with wrong and injury.
what more ridiculous and Insignificant object can
be imagined than such person would present,
claiming protection, in the name Of the Sovereign
Nation of Louisiana, and pointing to a flag with
pelican on it, as the emblem of his country. Sup
pose the Union TO continue, what more sublime
spectacle on earth could then be exhibited than the
American in a foreign land, unfurling the glorious
banner OF the stars and the stripes, proudly point
ing to the Bird of Liberty as the emblem Of his
country, and, in the name of the United States of
America, demanding justice even from the tyrant
on his throne! 1.-THE speaker was here interrupted
by applause after minute or two, he resumed. I
citizens, your applause shows that it in un-
| necessary to pursue this theme. have spoken Of
high matters, and l tgust not unworthily. shall
detain you no longer. Let your votes at the polls
show that you the friends of true Progress and
Reform, of Liberty and the Union.