Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-01-10

of the t. States in their aggregate capacity anu
founded in no degree on compact between the
States would tend to the most disastrous practical
results That it would place three -fourths OF the
States at the mercy of nefourth and lead nevlta-
blv to a consolidated Government and finally to
monarchy"
Mr.. Livingston sent ex-President Madison,
copy of his speech accompanied by letter. Mr.
NJ. returned an answer complimentary OF the Ell
fort and among other things said ;
..You have succeeded better in your interpreta-
tons of the Virginia proceedings IN '98, 49, thah
those who have seen in them coincidence with
the multiplying doctrine called. The er-
ror in the late comments on the Virginia proceed
inrs has arisen from the failure to distinguish De-
tween what is declaratory of opinion and what is
iDso tacto erecutory between the rights of the par
lies and of single party; and between resorts
Thin the purview of the Constitution and the
final right which appeals from Constitution, can
ceied by its abuses to original rights, paramount
TO all Constitutions
That pure Republican Nathaniel Macon, of n.
c., in Feb'y. 1888, wrote to Hon. S. P. Carson,
thus:
IL have always believed that State might Sc
cede when she pleased, provided that she would
pay her proportion of the public debt, and this
have considered the best guard to public liberty and
public justice that could be desired
At meeting in 832 at Charlotte Court House
in Virginia, the late John Randolph prepared and
read a series of resolutions. which he efectualy
supported by most brilliant speech. We ex-
tract one of these resolutions strikingly peril
ncnt:
'Resolyed, That Virginia has never parted
with the right to recall the authority delegated
for good and sufficient cause, nor with the right
to Judge of the sufficency such cause, and to
cede from the confederacy whenever she shall find
the benefit of union exceeded by its eyils-union
being the means of securing happiness, and not an
end, to which they should be sacrificed"
About the same time Mr. TazeweH, who still
lives at an advanced age with his intellectual pow
ers unimpaired, and whose fame as a jurist and
statesman will live through all time, thus speaks
of the rights of a state and the remedy for vio-
lation of the Constitution.
''The union of the States thus resting upon a
Covenant entered into by every State with its CO.
States-when the terms of this Covenant are sup
posed to be broken by any of them, there is no
common arbiter to decide between the parties, it
is of necessity, that each State must Judge for it
self, and act as its own judgment may dictate
If in the honest exercise of this judgment any SOW
eregn State declares the Covenant broken by its
co-States, and chooses to dissolve the Union there
by established for this cause, she has the perfect
right to do so and this makes secession from the
Union as to that party only"
He thus depicts the consee Eences of a war by
federal power upon seeding state and the conse-
quences of denying the right of secession and con-
tends that the right is reserved by the 10th amend
men of the constitution, and in virtue of such
ervation becomes constitutional right:
Such war will differ from every other that
has before occurred from the beginning to that
day because, even by the most complete sue
cess, It's avowed object, can never be attained.
Independence, conquests, PREPARATION Of wrongs,
security, punishment of indignity offered, may all
be achieved by successful war; but victory can
never make union or repair the breach Of its bro
ken covenant x y + 1.-THE war vaCed n ra-
vve broken covenant of union, can never attain
lis avowed end. 1t may bring conquests, may
make loyal subjects, or hollow hearted pretended
allies, but it cannot make real union. The union
offree States neither be made nor preserved by
force. 1t is a solicism to speak. Such fanci-
full union is consolidation in It's most abhorent
form-wherein the majority, will WELD not only
its powers, but those assigned to their sub
dued allies also"
81 thank God that in his infinite wisdom and
mercy, he has been pleased thus to ordan. The
truths I have announced, ought and will teach
moderation and forbearanee to all who value the
union of these States. Each will look to the fear
full consequences to itself, that may attend its own
acts, and will abstain from pushing even admitted
powers to oppression. The right of secession is
the right of ALL 1t may be claimed by one to-day,
and another to morrow, each may find itself ag-
greved. It's apprehended evils may De easily
guarded against, by not exercising doubtful pow
ers nor pressing legitimate powers until they be-
come doubtful. The security of the Union is to
be found in the common affections and common in
terests of the States, and not in the baycnets of
its soldiery. By such feelings alone the IN
ion first formed-by such sentiments alone, has it
been since maintained, and by such sentiments
alone, can it be preserved. Once deny this right
of secession when it is claimed and prevent or
punish its existence by military force and surely
as night succeeds the day, our destiny as a free
g E,1E IoJ