Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-01-24


but in this case they are
the result Of the abuse, aud not of the
legitimate exercise, of the powers re-
served or conferred in the organize
ton ola Territory. They are not to
oe charged to the great principle OF
popular sovereignty; on the contrary,
they disappear before the intelligence
and patriotism Of the people, exert
ing through the ballot box their peace
full and silent but irresistible power.
If the friends of the constitution
are 10 have another struggle, its en-
emies could not present more ac-
eeptable Issue, than that of Il state
whose constitution clearly embraces
"a republican form government be-
ing excluded from the Union because
It's domestic Institutions may not in
all respects comport with the ideas Of
what is wise and expedient enter
tained in some other State. Fresh
from grouudless imputations ofbreach-
of faith against others, men will COM
mence the agitation of this new
question with indubitable violation Of
an express compact between the in
dependent sovereign powers Of the
U. States and of the Republic Of
Texas, as we'll as of the older and
equally solemn compacts, which as
sure the equality of all the States.
But depIorabIe as would be such
a violation of compact in itself and
in all its direct consequences, that is
the very least of the evils involved,
When sectional agitators shall have
succeeded in forcing on this issue,
can their pretensions fail to be met
by counter pretensions? Will not
different States be compelled respec-
lively to meet extremes with ex-
tremes? And, if either extreme car
ry its point, what is that SO far forth
but dissolution of the Union? !fs
new State, formed from the territory
Of the U. States, be absolutely exclu
, ded from admission therein, that fac
ofitself constitutes the disruption o
the union between it and othel
States. But the process of dissolu
ton could not stop there. Woul(
not sectional decision, producing
such a result by majority ofvotes
D either Northern or Southern, of neces
D sity drive out the oppressed and az
grieved minority, and place in pres
7 ence of each other two irreconcilably
: hostile considerations?
| tits necessary to speak thus plain
: " of projects, the offspring of that
D sectional agitation now prevailing il
: some of the States, which are as
imprae!icable as they are unconsti
t tutional, and which, if persevered in
5 must and will end calamitously. /
: is either disunion and civil war, or i
is mere angry, idle, aimless distur
: bance of public peace and tranquil
e ty. Disunion for whats II the pas
o sionate rage of fanaticism and parti
y san spirit did not force the fact upol
: cur attention, it would be difficult II
It believe that any considerable por
e lion of the people Of this enlightened
}, country could have so surrendere'
IT themselves to fanatical devotion t.
e the supposed interests of the relative
II ly few Africans in the United States
as totally to abandon aud disregard
l. the interests of the twenty-five mil
t. lions of Americans-to trample TN
e der foot the iajunctions of mora
It and constitutional obligations an,
: to engage in plans Of vindictiye hos
t tility against those who are associa
Q ted with them in the enjoyment Q
d the common INHERITANCE of our Ma
s tional institutions.
e Nor is il hostility against their fel
low citizens Of one section only of tn,
i. United States. The interests, tn,
S honor, the duty, the peace and tn,
e prosperity of the people Of all sec
: lions are equally involved and i'm
: perllled in this aquestion. And ar,
patriotic men in any part Of th,
: Union prepared on such an issue thu.
e madly to invite all the consequence:
E of the forfeiture of thQir constitution
al engagements? 1t is impossible
q The storm Of phrensy and fanaticisn
: must inevitably dash itself in vain a
gainst the mistaken rock of The con
S stitution. / shall never doubt it,
t | know that the Uaion is stronger /,
e thousand times than all The chimari
e cal schemes of social change, which
: are generated, one after another, il
g the unstable minds Of visionary soph
: lists and interested agitators. ] rely
Y confidently on the patriotism of the
(. peonle. on the DIGNITY and salfresDecj