The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1851-05-07

ON now ana forever, one and insepa-
ble,H which was heartily responded 20
and strongly aPPlauded.
To this sentiment, or rather, the time
Of lis introduction, Walter i. Leak
ESQ.,, of Richmond. objected. We be-
liese he took the ground that though
the sentiment was well enough IN IT.
self, vet its introduction AZ that time
seemed TO aim At throwing . damper
over the sentiments uttered by Mr..
Darxan and MIR. Leak expressed him.
self astonished that a southern man
would give such a sentiment At such
time, &c. Mr.. Leak did not at all like
the compromise measures Of 1850; but
Tor the sake Of peace he was willing TO
abide thereby, provided the fugitive act
uere carried out right. lie believed IN
die right Of a State to seeede. and TO
choose its own time for secession. but
did not think that secession was ex-
pedient at present, and he was not IN
favor Of the measure. This speech, as
well as Mr.. bargains, we had not the
pleasure Of hearing; and if we have
been misinformed, are willing to be set
right.
Mr.. Ashe then got up and sustained
and defended the sentiment he had OF
fered. lie sand he had never conceiv-
ed the idea that a citizen Of Arson
county, or any one else in the Court
House, would for a momeut object 10
the sentiment, and he was astonished
to hear speech made against il, MIR.
Ashe denied the right Of State to Sc
cede. There was no power in the fed
eral Constitution, nor in the construc-
ton of any part thereof, under which a
State could possibly secede. The Unit
ed States Constitution, and all laws
made in accordance herewith, were the
supreme laws of tie land, and every
State, as we'll as every individual. was
bound to obey them as such: That no
State could do any act at variance with,
or contrary to the federal Constitution ;
and that as secession would be contra
ny to the intent and meaning Of that
instrument, o State had no Constitu-
tional right whatever to secede. Mr..
Ashe thought the Supreme Court Of the
Emitted States the proper tribunal for
determining the constitutionality Of a
law.
Mr. Leak asked Mr.. Ashe If he be-
lieved the Chief Executive Of the ma
tion had the power-or ought to exer-
else it If he had--to call out the troops
Of the United States to oppose State
in its sovereign capacity as a State.
MIR. Leak wanted Mr.. Ashe to give a
positive and decided answer to this.
Mr.. Ashe said that it was not only
the privilege, but the duty, Of the Pre-
sident to see that all laws made by Con-
gress under the Constitution were duly
executed. He was sworn to do so
and that when he did not, he was per-
jured, and therefore acted wrong. That
when State in its sovereign or any
other capacity, acted against the consti-
tuition, or any law made hereunder, il
became the duty Of the executive to use
all the power Of the General Govern
ment to force such State into subjec-
ton, even though the State might be
crushed thereby. He wished It dis
tinctly understood that the Executive
had not only the right, but it was his
bounden duty to do so.
MIR. Leak asked Mr.. Ashe wha,
course Siate-North Carolina for in,
stance-ought to pursue, il Congress
were to 20 outside the Constitution and
abolish slavery in the States.
Mr.. Ashe said that il ever Congress
did such an act, North Carolina would
rise as one man and resist such usur.
Iation to the death. Mr.. Ashe believ.
ed that every State had this natural
and inalienable right; but that it was I
natural right, and not derived from th,
United States Constitution aud that i
was revolution or reroh and Rot seces
sion.
Mr.. Leak then intimated to MIR. Asht
that as the Federal Government wa.
much stronger than any of the States
or number of such States, there was
a likelihood that such State or State,
might be crushed in the struggle, ant
asked what then?
Mr.. Ashe said that was very true
but that the aggrieved State or State.
must trust to the justice Of their cause
and to their God, as did their father:
in the revolutionary struggle, wher
fighting power SO immensely superior
to themselves as Great Britain ther
was.
MIR. Ashe also stated that he merel,
gave the sentiment, and made the few
remarks which he did, as citizen o.
Arson county, as he had no intention
then, or at any future time. Of being 4
candidate for any office in the gift o
the people.
i After Mr.. Ashe sat down Mr.. Leak
again got up and spoke for length d
time. He admitted that the Genera
Government had the RICH, to eoerce ia.
dipid,dis, but not States: said that i
aSfnniSha.l h,,,, tbof n ro,xIo,.,. n