Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-27

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aud breaking out open acts of resistance the con-
stituiion aud laws, they will awake the danger and
PUT down. with strong hand, this spirit OF dlsunion
and vndcate the faith and honor OF their fathers and
the character OF their state.
The question whether this proylslon OF the consti
tuition is 10 be carried into execution in the spirit
with which it adopted is not one that concerns,
SIMPLY, New York II that was all, the question
could be settled among ourselves But other States
have an inerest-hteen of thsm-a deep, and abid-
interest in Its observance. The compact has been
made with them, and with their people, and until
they consent to release us from the obligation and
duty, are bound by it, bound by every faith and
tie tina: can give sanction to an obligation.
1t is true, New York may possess the physical power
TO disregard her obligation, and set the constitution at
nOught, and abide the consequences. There are,
am sorry to say, acts upon her statute books that If
carried out into practical effect, would have accom-
pshed it, But they have not been carried into effect
aud trust never will be; they are fortunately dead
letter.
Before the PEOPLE of New York, or of any other
northern States, make W their minds TO disregard
and dlsobsy this provision of the constitution thew
will, l doubt not, look well to the conseuuences-
Common sense as well as common prudence and wis
dom would dictate this.
As nave already SAID, the provision in question is
a material part OF the constitutOn-the fundamental
law of the Union, framed by our fathers, and under
which we lve-so material and important that any
one conversant with the history OF that instrument
knows that without II the Union would never have
been formed.
fore, annul utterly disregard 1t, setting the funda
mental law in this respect, at defiance, and be
cesstu IN maintaining such disregard and abandon
OF duty, against the whole force and Iower OF
the general government, anda disruption of the Union
ls already accomplished.
One or more members of the confederacv cannot
annul material part of the compact which they have
entered into with the other saes because they have
no interest in It, or even, II against their interest
and at the same time claim an observance of it BY
others. There can be no such obligation on those
others, legal moral 1t requires but common sense
and common honesty, to settle this. That ether or
those other states interested in the rejected and re-
pudiated authorities of the union enforce obedience
would have right to regard the compact as at an
end, and to withdraw from conederaey of unfaitt-
There two sides TO the compact, and both must
b. observed neither.
These principles are fundamental; they lie at the
foundation OF ali contracts and cJmpacts entered ia
by parties whether for government any other our
pose; and they nothing than commoG hon
esty and good faith the observance OF the duties and
obligations OF each.
Seeing therefore and properly approaching these
consequences the inevitable tendency and result of
breaking, aud setting at naught materia part of the
co nstutlon, with what concern should every good
citizen contemplate the act. Add with what aacrity
aud spirit should he up its support aud main.
tenauce. What vast and momenous interests may
depend upon his active and patriotic devotion in de-
fsnce Of the constitution aud laws Of his country
No one need tor moment harbor the supposon
or belief that the Northern States will not be held to
strict iuIhlment OF their constitutional obligations arts
ing OF this clause the compact. Fifteen states of
the Union are deeply interested in its execution and
demand its observance. They have already deter
mined thatt must be no longer dsregarded and have
appealed to their Northern brethren come w to their
constitutional duties and obligations, and save the
Union. Many otthem have confidence that they will,
and are at this moment, upon the strength of it main
tanning a vigorous and maufu struggle with their less
confident brethren in behalf of 1t requires but an
honest and faithful discharge of these duties and obi
cations the North to cheer them on and crown their
patriotic efforts with success. Let the great State of
New York. therefore, not falter in her duty nor prove
her obligations this time and in this srug
gle Nosate has greater stake in the preservation OF
The Union is there any whose voice. tor good
or tor evil will be more powerfully tet throughout its
limits
DsorderlV and turbulent men-the common distur-
bers OF society-are found IN every government. And
occasional outbreaks against law and legal authority
must be expected. They scarcely compromit The
character OF people when the violence is speedily
suppressed and the guilty offenders sternly punished
New FORK may thus redeem itself from the odium of
suffering the constitution and laws of the Union to be
iranpled under foo and from just responsibility to
the other members of the contederacy, She will thus
sndicate herself from the bad example OF having bro.
ken the compact; and from thereby so far as she is
concerned, pleasing others from the obligation. But
should she falter in this duty, and in redeeming her
pghted faith to the constitution, how can she ex-
pect preserve the Union that other ate deeply
concerned in the observance OF her obligation will re-
main with her in the conederacy2 1t would be vain
expect it; and her conduct in the supposed will
have rendered her powefess in any attempt to coerce
the Association. Having broken the compact herself
and cast OFT her constitutional obligations, she will
have rendered herself morally impotent exact them
OF others
Any one conversant with the history of the times
and with the great issue now agatng the country and
IN which the perpetuity OF this Union voved cannot
fail to have that 1t is in the hands OF the people of
ihe Northern States They must determine it, and re-
sponsbllity rests upon them 1t they abide by the
constuElon-the whole aud every part of it--all will
by well. Ifthey expect the Union be saved and to
ENJOY the blessings flowing from it, short OF this thew
will find themselves mistaken when it is too ate