The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-12-15
Hon. John Bsn,s Letter.

:.
men Of note in the nation, none, perhaps will
interest our readers more than the recently
published letter Of the late candidate of tn,
| Union party, whose tried craftsmanship,
not only carried the State Of Kentucky
| against its idol Nj. cll'sss,rongest oppo.
nent IN the South. but also for the first time
in the history of The country, carried Virginia
against the democracy. Believing it v i'll not
laii to interest the readers Of The HAis, We
give copious extracts from the letter, which.
it will be seem regards secession MS no remedy
for the wrongs, real or imrraginary, Of the
South. 1t is source Of regret that our
space does not admit Of its publication entire
Mr.. Bell gives the following reasons why
Lincoln's election does no, justify secession:
list. Mr.. Lincoln. it is w,l known, does
not hold extreme opinions on the subject of
slavery. 1t is certain that he has expressed
decided opinion that the South has cons,i-
tulonal right TO deuand the faithful cxecu.
ton OF the Fugitive Slave Law and that un.
der certain circumstances he would feel il his
duty not to oppose the admission of new
Slave State into the Union.
ID. Mr.. Lincoln will tc pow.rless for evil
unless the South scccdcS.
3D. As to any apprchcnsons that the
Republican party, encouraged and stimuli.
ted 10 further Efforts by their late success,
may be so strengthened IN the result Of the
election Of Senators and Representatives, IN
the meantime, Ms to obtain majority in both
HOUSES of the Thrty.eighth Co igrcs<, that is.
during the last TWO years Of Mr.. Lincoln S
administration while it may be well to re.
gard such an event as possible, the strong
est reasons exist for the confident belief that
no such unfortunate result will attend the
elections IN The North. which are to decide
the complexion Of the Thrly-eighlh Congress
Of the whole number Of votes cast for Mr..
Lincoln in the recent election, from NV per
Sonnl knowledge, and from nforma ton re-
cclvcd from other sources, of the sentiments Of
The people OF the South, and especially of these
o The Middle States, and the States North
OF the OHIO, am sure that hazard nothing in
stating that large numb,r--at least one. lhi,d
are devoted TO the Union, and although CD.
posed to slavery in the abstract. h we but little
sympathy with the Republican party.
am also satisfied that not more than one
third part Of MIR. Lincoln's supporters are so
extreme in their anti.slavery sentiments MS
to bc wholly Indifferent to The effect upon
the Union Of the policy Of the republican
party.
VI the remaining third of Mr.. Lincoln's
supporters, think | nn warranted in saving
that they are attached to the Union though
an'l-savery in their sentiments. | feel con-
lident that the Thirty. eighth Congress will
exhibit "A f,lhnp off in tn. S,r,,uiL 81 III. RI.
publican party instead an increase.
4. All the existing grievances Of which the
oouth may justly complain can be r,diesscd
!" Tue on'oh. AS TO the lndignlty, not to
say insult offered to the South of nominating
ana cItcting the candidates for the two high.
est oliecs OF the government by a sectional
pa VI, P'ihc'l'lcS when practically tXclu-
"" the southern States from voice IN the
'I'.'"' contrary 10 established usage,
ana I'D violation OF The spirit OF the ConSlltu-
''o'-'hey may DC pa'd"ncd Tor the sake Of
peace ana harmony, and IN consideration
.'a' inc o'"l'i has not been Sni'tIess OF hav-
ing c"h''i"u,ed' ana that IN 10 small degree
10 Increase .he violence ana aSperllieS OF the
slavery controversy between The Two sections.
r
me next SUBJECT which purPoScd to my
r ~ - "> ''''''' VI '''e'l -.
o. secession Wh'ch' AS understand 1t, is the
,,sn's Grained 10 'Nlst under and by the
CONSTITUTIONS IN the exercise OF which a State
may "l'hdia" from the Union. whenever -
.n"Jo'''y VI 'he c''Z'hs may decide to do 50,
'or any cause Whatever. For 1t isqnlIe i'm.
material whether any grievance or wrong sus-
lai'td al inc hands Of the co.S;ates or by
the action OF the Federal Government, is set
up to justify the exercise Of this right or not
lnasmuch as the people of the ding
Slate uader this theory, claim to be The so lie
lrloInal or Judges to decide whether any
s"ch grievance or wrong has been inflicted
ana upon The E"tcnt and suthclcncy Of the
wrong.
In TACT, the theory Of secession implies the
right OF a. State to dissolve Tvs connection
Win the Union at discretion and the whole
question resolves itself into this: whether
the Federal Union. as it now exists and as it
was Intended to be by It's trainers. is any
ming more than voluntary association IF
states Tor cohnon defence and Other objects
oi vital Importance 10 their interest and pros
pefily' carrying with 1t no binding obligation
upon any one OF the States to yield obedi-
el'ce 1" the Federal Government any longer
iran such State should consider it expcdlrnt.
propose to enter into no elaborate igumrnt
10 demonstrate the unSoundn,ss Of this
theory. and to show that no such right was
reserved oy the Constitution either to the
states or the people. That has often been
done Ny ADLER pens. must be permitted.