New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-01
A VOICE FROM THE NORTHWEST.

Speech of Lieut.-Gog. Morton Of Indiana, at
IndiaRopoiis Nor. %, IN facor Of Coercion.
We hear much said against the policy of coercing
South Carolina in she attempts TO secede. What
If coercion but the enforcement of the laws Is any
thing else intended required Secession OF nuiit-
cation can only be regarded by the General Govern
ment az individual action upon individual response
biity. Those concerned in 1t cannot intrench them
selves behind the forms of the State Government 30 as
TO give their conduct the sembiance Of legality, and
thus devoive the responsibility upon the State Govern
ment which of itself il irresponsible. The Constitn-
ton and laws of the United States operate upon ndi
viduals but not upon States, and precisely a. there
were no States
In this matter the President has no discretion He
has taken solemn oath to enforce the laws and pre-
serve order and 10 this end he has been made COM
man6er-in-cbief Of the army and navy. How can ne
be absolved from responsibility thus devolved upon
him by the Constitution and his official oath Can II
be done bv the resolutions of Conventions the advice
of the newspapers, or even decided preponderance
Of public opinion? There is but one way IN which
the President can be absolyed from bis duty TO exert
all the power repOsd in his hands by the Constitution
TO enforce the laws in South Carolina, which If by
nowledging her independence. The Constitution
provides that Congress may admit new States INTO the
Union but there provision for turning one out or
for permitting one 10 20 out hiHte once admitted
into the Union becomes part OF the body OF the ma
ton and severance or secession is not contemplated
by the Constitution permissible OF possible
II Congress possesses the power 10 acknowledge the
inderendence Of State and thus place ii without the
pale Of the Union, must result from an neXorable
zee, s,iy produced by SUGGEST u revolution WINE
q State il in the Union there IL power under the
Constitution for the General and State Governments
10 enter into negotiations and to treat with each ether
No Government poesesee the constitutional power 20
dn1 ber IT, If the power does exit In this Gov
eminent to acknowledge the independence OF South
Carolina or any other State, ii only be exercised
nv an act Of Congress. The President OF himself
would not possess IT, and consequently, until released
from Lis duty by such acknowledgment, ne must exert
III pov o. 10 enforce the laws. If an attempt at aeces
sion be made there If but one OF two conse 10 1e
ed Either 70 allow the seeding State peaeeably
r. 90 and set I'D for herse as independent govern
nent or else by the police military power OF the
limited States compel an Observance OF the laws and
arbuisrion TO constitutional obligations.
81 NJ consider what would be the consequence OF
adoptinp the former cOurse. II we allow state
peaceably 10 necede we thereby oonccde The ngnt IN
the most substantial and solemn manner IL wouu pe
sheer nonsense 70 allow state especially "a weak
one like South Carolina 10 secede, and yet dehy the
right OF secession and that other States may ho' IetIe
in the same manner whenever they see proper we
cannot therefore, allow South Carolina 10 secede
without cOncedng the right and thereby setting the
principle 20 the remaining Statee The rght OF se
cessOn conceded the nation IL dissolved Instead OF
having nation--One mighty peOple--we have but
ana ,~tty States held together by treaty which has
hitherto Seen called Constitution, of the infracon Of
which each ataie in 10 be the judge and from which
any State may withdr"y at pleasure.
II would not be twelv. months until project OF a
Pacific Confederacy would b, act on foot California
and Oregon being each soverelHa and independent,
would have right To withdraw Inn their present
partnership and form one, or form 100 separate
nations. In doing 80 they would act WIN lar greater