The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-22


ton of other States The prudent valor of these
partizans, in imitation OF the previous example
OF the friends of notification, diselaim the pur-
pose of using then selves, and protest against
the application 10 them of any physical force.
The right Of revolution is that right, which an
unjustly oppressed people, threatened with, or
borne down by intolerable and unsupportable
tyranny and injust c, have, Of resoring TO forci-
BILE resistance, TO prevent or redress the wrongs
with which they are mer aced or under which
they are suffering 1t may aim SIMPLY at a re-.
moval of grievances, or it may seek totally to
change the existing government or /, establish
within its limits new government IL is right
not confined by the boundaries of States, (al-
though being organized political bodies, they
may be capable of giving greater effect to revo
lutionary efforts,) but it belongs to oppressed
man, whatever may be his con lition. In all revo.
Iutions, howeves, there are two parties, those
who revolt, and the government which they
forcibly resist. There generally two oppi
site opinions also entertained of the cause of re-
sistance that of those who rise in rebellion,
believing themselves to be wronged, and that of
the existing government which denies having in
hcted any oppression or injustice. 1t is incum-
bent upon wise and considerable men, before they
hastily engage in revolution, deliberately to
u
carefully to calculate the probable consequences
of forcbe resistance II successful, they know
they will be guilty of treason, and incur the
penalty inflicted upon traitors.
have thus, gentlemen presented an imperfect
sketch of some Of the views which have taken
of the existing topics of the day. 1t would ad-
nit of much enlargement and additional illus
tration, but have already given to this paper an
inc dinate length. In contemplating that sketch,
we beho much more TO animate the hopes and
to encourage the patriotism of the country, than
to create regret and apprehension After such
a political storm that which violently ragged
during the last Congress, 1t was not to be ex
pected that the nation would instantly settle
down in perfect quiet and repose. Considering
the vast extent of our territory, our numerous
population, the heated conflicts of passion, of
opinion, of interests, and Of sections, pervading
the entire Union we have great reason to be
thankful to Providence for the degree of calm
ness of tranquility, and of satisfaction, which
prevails. Ii there are local exceptions at the
North and at the South, Of rash and misguided
men who would madly resist the Constitution
and laws of the United States, let us not despair
OF their return, in seasonabe time, to reason and
to duty But suppose we should be dlsap-
pointed, and that the standard should be aa'sed
of open resistance to the Union, the Conslltu-
ton and the law what is to be done? There
can be but one possible answer The power,
the authority and dignity of the government
ought to be maintained and resistance put down
at every hazard Government in the fallen and
depraved state of man, would loose all respect,
and fall into disgrace and contempt, if it did not
possess potentially and would not, in extreme
cases, practically exercise the right of employ
ing force The theory of the Constitution of
the United States assumes the necessity of the
existence and the application of force, both in
our foreign and domestic relations. Congress
is expressly authorized "to raise and support
armies" " to provide and maintain navy" and
provide for calling forth the militia to erecute
the laws of the Union, suppress instructions
and repel invasions" The duty of executing
the laws and suppressing Instructions, Is with
o 1T limitation qualification; it is co-extensive
with the Jurisdiction of the United States and
it comprehends every species of resistance to
the execution of the laws and every form of in
surrection, no matter under what auspices or
sanction it is made. individuals, public meet
ngs, States, may resolve, often as their
tastes or passion may prompt them to resolve
that they will forcibly oppose the execution of
the laws, and secede from the Union. Whilst
these resolutions remain on paper, they are
harmless; but the moment a during hand ia
raised to resist, by force, the execution of the
laws, the duty of enforcing them arises, and If
the col fict which may ensue should lead to
civil war, the resisting party, having begun it,
will be responsible for all its consequences.
Since the adoption of our present Con4titu.
ton, and the Union which it created by the
blessing of Providence, we have advanced in
population, power, wealth, internal improve
al x.y;th 4 81
rapidity, which, UNI aralleled in ancient or
modern nations, has excited the establishment and
com handed the admiration Of mankind Our
ample limits and extensive jurisdiction, more
than tripled, have been made 10 embrace all the
provinces of Louisiana, the two Floridas, Texas
and New Mexico; and passing the Rocky
mountains, have reached Il Pacific ocean, com
pr hending Oregon, and California and Utah.
Our population has risen from four to twenty
three millions our revenue, without any onerous
burden, has grown from less than three to near
fifty millions Of dollars; our revolutionary debt
is extinguished our mercantile marine is not
surpassed by that of the greatest maritime
power the abundant products of our agricul-
ture, satisfy al our wants, and contribute to the
subsistence, of other nations our manufactures
are rapidly tending to the supply Of all we es.
sentially need from them, and to afford a sur
plus for the prosecution of our extended foreign
commerce.; lie surface of our land is striped
over with railroads aud turrpkes, and our sen
lakes and navigable waters resound with the
roar Of innumerable steam vessels. Your own
great city illustrates our surprising progress
After the commencement Of the operation Of
this Constitution, in 1890, its population was
33,13l. BY the census of 1850, it was Sis,
1894, and our other cities have increased in
scarcely lees ratio. The problem of the
capaciy Of representative government TO main.
tain free and teral institutions on an extensive
territory, has been triumphantly solved by the
intelligence of the people, and the all powerful
agency of steam and lightning.
Such are the gratifying results which have
been obtained urder the auspices Of that Union,
which some rash men, promoted by ambition,
passion and phrenzy, would seek to dissolve and
subvertl To revolt against such government,
fot any thing which has passed, would be so afro
cous, and characterized by such extreme folly
and madness, that we may search in vain for an
example of it in human annals. We can look
for its prototype only Of may be pardoned he
a. I i IA =.