Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-12-22
A Dissolution of the Union.

the topic which forms the caption of this article
seldom openly referred to-hardy so referred to
unless to be deprecated. We need hardly remark upon
the striking change which the events of the last few
years have brought about in this respect 1t is now
talked of freely any other political movement but
yet with vagueness which shows how far the feelings
Of alienation between the sections have gone in advance
of the calculations predeterminatons of either.
II dissolution is to GENE, it is surely question how
it is to be eeced-how the details of to
be arranged, and by whom-whether it shall be done in
such manner to avoid the terrible dangers of civil
war; and yet give to each section its due proportion of
the public property and of the burden of the existing
public debt
We prefer the word dissolution" to secession be-
cause it expresses views accurately Disguise
the matter may under whatsoever pecOus phrases
may select, there be concealng the fact that
the dissolution Of this Union would be revolution OF
the most important character and consequences. 1t
would be the death of great political confederacy the
abrogaton of the provisions of great political COM
pact known as the Constitution of the United States
That Constitution had in view the formation of more
perfect union This movement would be in dametri-
caIy opposite direction. 1t must proceed by means
constitutional.
To give dignity and efficiency to any movement it is
essential that it should have the undivided sanction and
support of the States of the section aggrievedthat
this sanction should be expressed by power
thorty existing prior to and independent of the Fede-
raj organization that u.s. that the State Governors and
Legislatures the parties and not the congressional
DELEGATIONS Congressional districts and district repre-
sentatives and U. S. Senators all portions of the
machinery set in motion by the Constitution of the
United States-they the creations and creatures OF
the Federal compact. They parts of the Legislative
branch of the Federal Government and while they oc-
cupy that position they onght not to- and not to be
pected to do anything outside of the Union or by other
means and appliances than those appertanlng to them
as Federal Representatives. True if any Of them con-
slider that such point has been reached renders it
impossible for them longer to act in a representative
pacity consistent with their honor or that of their
State they can do so by surrenderng their trusts to the
State but cannot think that it is within the sphere
OF the duties of representative in Congress- of all
the Representatives and Senators in Congress, to do
what can only be done by the States through their au
thorites and in virtue of their sovereignty existing prior
to and independent of the Federal Government of which
Congress itself is but part. We frequently think of
this when we read some high sounding and indefinite
talks in Congress.
We have used the word dissolution in preference to
secession because like it better-it is definite
says the thing at once and because further secession
might imply going out from the Union the part OF
the Southern States leaving the inference that the Union
still remained behind whereas in fact section would
have much right to claim it as the other We do not
believe, until final action by the Sate in any Con
gresiOua secession, leaving still in Union, yet with
out representation to record our protest against
injustice Shall Representatives and Senators abaL
don the Southern soil upon which the Capital stands
to those who fight against Southern rights? Not
ly until efficient organization is formed for the more
eiectua protection of these rights
How then should dissolution be best avoided if it be
possible to avoid it, or best effected if avoidance be i'm
possible? Again We turn to the States. IRey in the
last sort, must decide. All the Southern Legislature
should appoint delegates to Convention OF Southern
States such delegates being vested with positive author
ty for certain purposes and the action of the Conyen-
ton should be binding in the whole of the States. 1t
should be among the duties and within the power of this
Convention to advise for the protection of the rights of
all the States represented, should dissolution of
the Union be deemed necessary to the furherance of
that obi 1t should also be within the power of such
Convention to invite conference with delegations repre-
senting legally the States of the opposite section to
II some fair and just understanding and arrangement may
not De arrived at in virtue of which the two sections can
remain united failing this how the details of separa-
tion-dissOuon mot Southern secession may be most
peacefully and equitaby arranged. OF course in the
last alternative there might come resort to actual HOSTILE
tieS but this would not arise out of any direct attempt
to the South into continuance of the Union
with the North
1t is extremely desirable, in any event. to retain the
full and cordial cooperation of all the Southern States
so as to give dignity and weight any movement-toen
sure peaceful solution of existing difficulties and in the
event of severance, to secure for the new Southern
cOnfederacy an extent and strength sufficient for the
maintenance of national dignity and independence To
do this fully, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri and Vir.
ginia must be secured, at any rate Virginia whose
unrvaed geographical position essential toany South
ern conederacy To securing these States it is essen
tal that moderation be mingled withrmness and that
no hot-headed or precipitate course be pursued. y
1t will be that we have made little or no reference
to any mere abstract theories or doctrines We have
not discussed the right of secession because practically
we attach little Importance toit and could not
its exercise In certain contingencies may become
the duty OF Southern States, to separate from the Nor
them Sates-to dSSolUe the Union not to ecede from
IT. because the latter expression would intimate that th
North constituted the Union and that we in leaving the
North, left the United States they being the United
States entitled to the rights perogatves and properties
OF the United States far at least the property
the United States Is concerned. This we are no.
prepared to admit. We think that a more insan.
act no ittpd %bor +Lo