Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-28
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY %, 1851
THE PROPER COURSE.

ditora in the Tuscaloosa Aa Observer vindlcanng oy
reasoning and by the concurrent testimony Vi inc oes anu
yyses men Republic the abstract ghl Oh seceseon
The opinions of Madison Livingston Iazeweii, r. r OAR
bour and Others grouped 'ogether win sfed'
hava only room 10 reproduce the declaration Of the late r.
Barbour Supreme Court of the United States who
when nominated for the Vice Presidency in 1892 and np-
peaed 10 for his opinions of the great topics OF the
d,y thus spoke of notification and secession:
"The last subject embraced in the resolution, is that OF
nuiEeation understand this meant 10 import 'ne
raht of the several States interposng their sovereign
10 declare void within their respective BORDERS any
law which they may think unconstitutional
"Thus understanding IT, am opposed 70 IL. WIN e "
dsayor briefly my doctrine upon the suolec' LII
general when Question arises whether OF Congress
Is constitutional not it belongs TO the judicial
10 decide IT, because IN general me between
parties which had taken shape Tor ludicia oecls1n
when the question is one OF polcal power 'na. a
The Federal Government and the States whether the tone!
hrs invaded the rights of the latter hold that
questions of this kind do belong To judicial cognzance
Tha, the people of the States parties TO the compact
their character States That the constitution mas MOI
conferred upon the judicial department any poca poMGI
whatever That therefore, In relation questions OF inns
character there is no umpire and that
ly The States must rhemselves This the gn
but what is the Remedy? My opinion Is, tho' 'ie '
rightful remedy is that OF secession.
Those who deny the right secession would concentrate
ower in the General Government and form consolidated
sbsoue government which would be tempted crush the
minority Their doctrine leads the rightu subugaton
of seeding State by force and if this be DONE how long
would the Union stand togehe7 On the other hand let the
Igh, Of State withdraw in clear cases OF unconsu-
ona injury and oppression be recognzed-woud not this
fact exercise most conservative influence in restraining
the usurpaion OF the central power Strongly as we up
hold the principle however II should not be exercised I'M
less upon the most impeous necesscs-and should
State ady shoot from Its sphere she should be ap
peacd BY States reconsider her course and
fientlv
chief and oppression should force her neighoors OF
the Same common interest, 10 unite In the same
decided movement. With Governor Collier OF Alabama,
while maintaining the abstract right we would resist It's
exercise and regard secession the slime as
wise nlpracticabe and nexpedent. We would urge upon
the people o! the South the popcty Of developing their
own resources of promoting the greaindusra pursuits by
proper determinations of establishing and extending enter
pses of Internal improvement and Of opening direct COM
merce with Europe-organzing home reliance, home pro-
ductlon and homs independence-as the most effective
checks against abolition assaults and the most certain qua
for future safety and prosperity In the language OF
ire Tuscaloosa Observer he rueiposion OF the South
should acquesce in what has been DONE and at tho
same time 10 present an undivided front of firm resistance
20 future aggression"
There great force In the following views OF the Mobile
Register journal which warmly reested the compromise
measures:
energies
of the Constitution all the of the State all the con-
ceed efforts the Southern States be used to do
justice injured section Of the Union domes
tic and tranquility TO guard US against the dangers
which have threatened, and still threaten Institutions
and 10 give us equal honorable position in the confed
eracy L. Is that do go TO the extreme OF ady
sing dsunion In opinion secession Is not resistance 1t
Is the contrary yielding TO what has been done and sur
rendering oil our rights and common properly In the Mon
1t would give up because have lost California and the
territories all heest OF the confederacyou equal share in
national treasury the national domain the army and Ma
wy the glory .enown power and influence Of our country
This consent 10 renqush II is ours part and
LOT by the highest claim For it ancestors fought and
rolled; for il willing fight and toll Secession
would give indemnity for past security for the f
ture' We demand something that sha far possible
do We inslst upon having remedies that shall compensate
in degree the evils and losses we have sucred and
guarantees that will protect against future uggessons
md maintain the Southern States coequals in the Union
established by the Constitution.
Can remedies be foundi w think they can. Ihey
reside believe in the sovereign attributes of the proscr
bed Staes they exist In tho hands of people, and the
gigantic prolific resourceshe agricultural commercial and
political importance and porer-of section of the Ro
public IL will deveope and organize these; will
discriminate wisely by domestic legislation for
projections If in short we will make ourselves respectable
shall be respected shall force the aggressive MAORI
Ties in Congress- and the aggressive States at the North 10
do Justice as well for the past as in the futures and we
should in strong and ndomabe energies be
against injuries from any quarter. Who doubt
that the ten millions people In the Southern States had
all their capacities in military we'll agricultural
and commercial way, fully developed, that should COM
mand justice and respect not only from the Northern States
We then for placing Ourselves in this high and honorable
position We advocate not in spirit of acquiescence
but Of resisance,-pocal and moral-of resistance the
potent, honorable and effective We determined TO
contend in the Union for the preservation OF our rights IN
The Union and to the Union We will yield nothing aban-
don nothing but hold to all that we have and all that
entitled by the consecrated charter framed by ia
thersand would regain far as possible what we have
lost
If this he acquiescence our opponents may make the
Of H. II the confession of aith and the pa
form we believe the mos, thorough and
opposition the spirit Of hostility the South mani
tested In the legislation Of tho last session of Congress-
il may hereafter develops Itself in renewed assaults
our institutions.
In s. Carolina as we have shown nearly all the candidates
for the State Convention ultoned Tor secession
even should their be aone We pleased however
10 see even there that of her influential
Ing their voices against the "an suicida policy of
secession Of single State. Mr. c. J. McCord, name
not unknown in the history of the State is candidate liz
the Richland District and in his address thus forcby
ses the embarrassment and mischief Of such policy:
do not doubt the right of State withdraw peaceably
from this Union whenever she thinks her interest TO do
and still less do doubt that she may do when the rita
and compromises of the Union dsregaded viola
The sentiments interest of such majority; but do not be-
eve that would be- under present circumstances wise or
eofe In South Carolina unaccompaned by other South
ern States, TO secede On the contrary am sure u would
be adopting tho very enemies desire
believe the only step likely be taken BY the General Gov
against such action would block
ade ports and off that commerce, which alone
afford the of defence. Thus cut off BY sea-
commerce could only find illegimate outlet through
Georgia, and would DO than folly suppose ID this
rich confederation would induce Georgia abandon the
Union from which she erpees 60 much and to cling TO
The whole character Of her odng forbid IT. and
Virginia and other Southern States however South
ern rights could scarcely offer tho oremoring the
blockade!
To secede aone under present circumstances without
single Southern State going with believe would be sui
ca and In all good faith 10 our friends who met US a, Nosh
vie bound give the plan they agreed upon fair
Trial though It may seem hopeless. AS but
htle way into the future let hope In the justice Of
cause, that Providence may In the time provide for
way OF relief of which have conception
Az what may do hereafter under circumstances which
cannot forescc only say that if TO the Conven-
ZION shall endcavor TO do whatever may be best to
The happiness. the lives and the property Of the people
OF South Carona and that would think Of steal
ing sheep as 10 take advantage of that OCCASION when The
hearts OF Carolina should be unit attempt to effect
revolution in State policy-a revolution recommended
by the abooniss and for circulating which recommends
tion BARaETT was imprisoned traitor 10 the State
Therefore not 10 restrict and conne the debera and
action of the Convention TO the subject of our Federal
tions alone would In my opinion DO 10 the last degree
cacheroIs and fraudulent towards gaan, fellow Cid