Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-07-21

THE REMEDIES.

SOUTHERN RETALIATIoN.-Mr. Calhoun sugges-
ted policy of retaliation by the South against the
North which he supposed might be effective if all
the Southern Atlantic and Gulf States would join
in enforcing it, The policy to exclude by State
legislation the entrance of Northern vessels in our
harbors. The ground upon which he based this
policy was, that as the Northern States had viola
ted the constitutional compact in one particular,
we had right to violate it in another.
There is lno doubt that as between sovereign
independent nations this policy might be right
fully adopted and enforced For instance, France
plundered our citizens the high seas during
the last war On her delaying restitution for the
wrong Gen jackson recommended to Congress to
authorize the issue of letters of marque and
reprsal, whereby French ships might be seized and
compensation enforced to our citizens.
But, unfortunately for this policy, we do not
stand in the same relation to the Northern States
that the United States stand towards France. Our
action may not be independent and conclusive
even within our own State. The Constitution of
the United States (the Federal compact) is still
left OF force, and the judicial tribunals Of the
country open to the application of any citizen,
Northern or Southern, to test their rights. When
these rights are brought up for vindication in the
shape OF n controversy between two citizens, the
only mode in which it would bo tested, the courts
lust determine whether the legislation of the
State is constitutional or not. The cause or 'occa-
sion of the law they will have nothing to do with
The law must stand upon its own merits and the
Fact that Massachusetts had previously violated
the Constitution to the injury of one citizen can
be no good plea for South Carolina violating it
to the injury Of another. The naked question
would be, Has State, under the Constitution, n
right to exclude the shipping of other States from
its harbors? We think it has not. 'and that our
own courts would determine the law to be uncOn-
stitutOnal. We are glad, however, to know that a
case is pending in our courts which will determine
the powers of State upon all matters Of retalia-
ton.
But If retaliatory measures were perfectly con-
stitutonal, we doubt as to their exercise. They
must faR partially and uniusdy on the innocent,
and will only lead to evasions and chickering's. If
the constitutional compact is violated by the
Northern States it, in fact it is now only con-
yeRient instrument by which the South and her
institutions assailed and endangered, let us
declare the whole compact at an end: Let sop
arate from them. There will then be no conflict
in our courts, no conflict among ourselves. There
cGn be no dispute as to our measures and rights.
If the Northern States desire new compact, and
they can agree with US as to its terms, well and
good: if not let US be free of them, and forever.
Standing apart and independent of them, we will
have instrumentalties for retaliation which will
enforce protection and safety. 1t is with
States as with individuals, their honor and dignity
are best maintained and their safety secured 5y a
clear and decisive course. State should always
so act rs that it should be respected and feared.
Once discredited, and State is endangered